In 2015, a 193 member states of the United Nations have agreed on the Agenda 2030 with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The intention was to ensure humanity’s future by sustainably integrating economic activity within the Earth’s life supporting systems. The open question still remains how these 17 UN SDGs can be implemented within the planetary boundaries. A recent report to the Club of Rome entitled “Transformation is feasible*” is attempting to deliver an answer. Author Jorgen Randers et al. are comparing four possible scenarios and their outcomes (see figure):

First Scenario: Same – Business as usual: Leads to destruction

Second Scenario: Faster  – Faster economic growth: Leads to faster destruction

Third Scenario: Harder – Existing policies toward sustainability: Not fast enough

Fourth Scenario: Smarter – Transformational actions: Leads to success

Link to the report: https://www.clubofrome.org/2018/10/18/transformation-is-feasable-a-new-report-to-the-club-of-rome/

We at AQAL support the SMARTER Scenario.The authors of the report emphasize the importance of economic growth within the context of the implementation of the UN SDGs. They foresee “a rise in GDP per person by 129% from 2015 to 2050 combined with a 80% decline in greenhouse gas emissions.” Following bold actions must be taken:

  1. Accelerated renewable energy growth
  2. Accelerated productivity in food chains
  3. New development models in the poorer countries
  4. Active income inequality reduction
  5. Investment in education for all, gender equality, health, family planning – stabilizing the world’s population

“Societies striving for sustainability require the many opportunities that business can provide.”
Jorgen Randers et al.

In the SMARTER scenario more than half of the world’s wealth is invested according to the ESG (Environmental Social Governance) criteria of the UN PRI (Principles of Responsible Investing). International Club of Rome member Dr. Mariana Bozesan states: “This is the reason why in our portfolio activities, the AQAL Group is using the Integral Investing philosophy to implement the UN SDGs for example to build sustainable NDC data centers (UN SDG 7, 8, 9 and 12).”

 

 

*New Report to the Club of Rome “Transformation is feasible – How to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals within Planetary Boundaries” from Jorgen Randers, Johan Rockström, Per Espen Stoknes, Ulrich Golüke, David Collste, Sarah Cornell