Future Perfect

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Swedish perspectives on sustainable development

Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation, Sweden

ver the last 30 years, the world has changed dramati-

cally. Globalization and economic growth are enabling

increased trade and mobility. Technical advances and

innovations are helping to solve our common problems and

increasing numbers of people are moving out of poverty and

political oppression. At the same time, we are facing numer-

ous challenges and crises, such as climate change, depletion

of biological diversity, threatened ecosystems and a vulnerable

situation regarding food security.

Sustainable development presupposes democracy, respect for

human rights institutions that enable transparency and account-

ability, free access to information and gender equality. Women’s

economic and political participation are necessary conditions, not

only for equality, but also for economic growth alongside equita-

ble and sustainable development. Market economy and free trade,

alongside innovation, research and technical progress, are crucial

instruments for long-term and inclusive welfare. Efforts to achieve

sustainable development must focus on creating conditions and

opportunities for individuals to control their own

lives. Shifts towards economically and environmen-

tally sustainable forms of production and consumption

require trust in the institutions and authorities that

lead the way.

When people have the necessary knowledge and

insights about the need for sustainability, change is

possible at local, national and global levels. However,

there is a particular need to reform and strengthen

international structures and frameworks to better inte-

grate the three dimensions of sustainability – economic,

social and environmental – across all levels. To deal

with the crises as well as manage the opportunities

facing decision makers, collaboration between a wide

spectrum of actors is needed, from civil society organi-

zations and the private sector to local and national

governments.

Important issues in the development of sustainability

policies include:

• Access to, and sustainable use of, energy, water

and sanitation for all people, particularly women

and children. The way these resources are used is a

major determinant of people’s health, access to food,

agriculture and, more widely, the private sector, as

well as inclusive growth and development

• Sustainable urbanization – more than half the

world’s population already lives in cities and

urbanization is set to continue. This requires a

holistic perspective, including integrated planning,

energy- and resource-efficient techniques, and

participation, employment and access to welfare

services for poor people

• Correct pricing and valuation of ecosystem

services – there is need for economic incentives to

make the polluter pay, as well as for phasing out

environmentally harmful subsidies. The validation

of ecosystem services in national accounts and

in business plans is an important step towards

shaping economic incentives for the conservation

of biodiversity. New indicators for measuring

sustainable development that complement the

growth of Gross Domestic Product are also needed

• Sustainable agriculture, forestry and fishing – the

role of these sectors in the shift to a green economy

should be highlighted, alongside their importance

in improving people’s living conditions. Nature’s

resources must be used in a responsible and

sustainable manner

ustainability

olicies

, P

rogrammes

and

their

conomic

mpact

The Swedish ‘Solvatten’ purifies water by exposing it to sunlight through the foldable

container/purifier. This is an example of Swedish green technology being exported

Image: Solvatten