A blog by Dr Theresa Devasahayam, SI UN Representative in Bangkok
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As we approach World Environment Day 2023, we take a moment to reflect on the remarkable environmental work and contributions of Soroptimist International at the UN last year. This article looks back on key discussions from last year’s session of the Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), by our United Nations Representative in Bangkok, Dr Theresa Devasahayam.
The Importance of Inclusion in Reversing Inequalities
From 23 to 27 May 2022, SI was represented at the 78th session of ESCAP by Dr Theresa Devasahayam. This annual commission serves as an opportunity for governments, organisations, representatives and policy makers to discuss and strengthen cooperative action in line with a common theme – for last year’s session, this theme was on reaching a ‘common agenda to advance sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific,’ and included the discussion of pathways to achieve more inclusive and sustainable post-pandemic recovery.
The meeting saw the review of the implementation of key areas outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific: (a) the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development; (b) social development; (c) environment and development; (d) disaster risk reduction; (e) energy; (f) transport; (g) macroeconomic policy, poverty reduction, and financing for development; (h) trade and investment; (i) information and communications technology, science, technology and innovation; and (j) statistics. Delegates attending the Commission acknowledged the importance of subregional dimensions of sustainable development, partnerships, cooperation and collaboration across the region, and the need for regional and subregional frameworks.
The Commission highlighted that many countries in the Asia Pacific region are not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); although this was the case even before the COVID-19 pandemic emerged. The pandemic, in fact, has placed considerable extra stresses on poorer countries trying to build their economies, resulting in greater numbers of persons slipping back into poverty. The question then is, what strategies might be adopted to build back better in the aftermath of the pandemic?
Central to the discussions was how countries in the Asia Pacific region might transition to green energy in their effort to grow their respective economies. Related to this is the urgent need for countries in the region to build their economies in a sustainable fashion, where the reduction of carbon emissions is paramount in this regard, especially because of the need to mitigate climate change. This means that countries in the region need to contribute to the reduction of global emissions by 45% by 2030 and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 in fulfilment of the Paris Agreement.
Unfortunately in the Asia Pacific region, risk continues to outpace resilience. Specifically there is a strong need to scale up on regional and sub-regional cooperation strategies. This point was emphasised especially given the climate crisis. Presentations at ESCAP78 emphasised the continued need for investing in subregional initiatives to promote digital tools and geospatial applications as well as integrate multi-hazard early warning systems, build resilient critical infrastructure, and improve dryland agriculture to fast-track adaptation. Because of the declines in government revenues brought about by the pandemic, the need for securing financing for COVID-19 recovery has become a priority for governments and their development partners.
Combating Climate Change: How Soroptimist International Might Become Involved
ESCAP 78 provided a crucial platform for member states in the Asia Pacific region to deliberate on their priorities and actions to achieve their collective targets under SDG 7, ensuring access to affordable, reliable sustainable, and modern energy for all’.
As SI’s UN Representative in Bangkok, Dr Theresa Devasahayam attended a side event at ESCAP78 entitled ‘Strategic Priorities for the Adoption of Emerging Technologies in the Energy Sector for Climate Change Mitigation’ on 24 May 2022. This side event was jointly organised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, and the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) of ESCAP.
In the Asia Pacific’s transition to climate-friendly energy sources, embracing new technologies is especially important because the region is one of the most vulnerable to climate change. Rising sea levels threaten many countries as well as their coastal areas. In fact the region accounts for nearly half of global greenhouse gas emissions in the world today. According to the ESCAP 2021 SDG Progress Report, it is documented that Asia Pacific countries are struggling to achieve the targets outlined under SDG 13 (Climate Action) by 2030. Much more needs to be implemented to scale up the usage of clean and efficient technologies by adopting emerging technologies, especially since the Asia Pacific as a region is the largest energy consumer in the world.
Challenges persist, as obstacles continue to exist in the region’s path towards achieving the targets of SDG 7 by 2030. These encompass access, efficiency and deployment of renewable energy, however, then there are the problems of affordability, low quantity, quality and reliability of the power supply. Considerations of gender show up in these obstacles as well; in the region: almost half of the population lacks access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking. Not forgetting that there remains the problem of implementation of, and compliance with, national regulations within countries.
While the transition to green energy has its challenges, opportunities abound. Saikat Chakrabarti, Chief of Staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is quoted as saying: “the Green New Deal … [is not just a] climate thing … [but] is a how-do-you-change-the-entire-economy thing.” In this regard, the focus should be on “more sustainability in that prosperity” which can only be achieved through the remaking of structures of the world as we know it. In order to ensure that our fight against climate change and the adoption of the green agenda does not leave already marginalised individuals and communities behind, the new vision to build green economies has to be accompanied by the raising of human capital levels and provision of new job prospects.
To get to this destination, countries in the Asia Pacific region need to implement viable policy and strategy options in accordance with global governance structures related to climate action. As in other areas, partnerships and the sharing of best practices are integral to helping countries and communities make an effective and efficient shift to cleaner energy sources. Aside from good practices, regulatory environments and strategies are important.
The event also highlighted how Soroptimist International as a civil society organisation might become involved in helping communities and, in turn, countries in the Asia Pacific region make a shift from fossil fuel dependence towards green energy. Emerging technologies play a critical part in fighting climate change. Importantly, the switch to low carbon energy provides a massive opportunity for Soroptimist International as an organisation to help the Asia Pacific countries meet the targets under SDG 7 through promoting green energy sources at the community level.
Moving from Welfare to Transformation
Handing out solar panels to women at community level serves the objectives of welfare, on the one hand, and access, on the other hand, to clean energy sources: Soroptimist International should engage beyond just distributing solar panels to women. We need to position women to control these resources and work towards facilitating communities to adopt the green agenda to the extent that women can achieve direct control over access to resources.
First, there is a need to recognise that these new technologies represent a business opportunity for women. For example, local women could be encouraged to actively engage in the buying and selling of solar panels. Soroptimist International could become involved in introducing successful business models to local women, especially since numerous innovative trade models are emerging, such as social enterprises and inclusive businesses, so adopting market-based approaches and, at the same time. Additionally, as pointed out by one of the panellists, Professor Rangan Banarjee, these new technologies are “less disruptive” when they are fed into an ecosystem and provide employment. Soroptimist International might also become part of the solution as it facilitates the provision of relevant training on business strategies relating to the adoption of these new technologies to grassroots women. If we are not able to undertake this task ourselves, we could act as an intermediary in this regard, connecting local women to organisations or corporations that are able to provide the relevant upskilling.
Second, if the business costs are prohibitive; Soroptimist International could step in to connect communities of women with private sector companies, especially with the emergence of a new wave of investors who are in business to invest for impact rather than invest for profit. In fact this should not be a problem since a growing number of corporations are realigning their priorities with the SDGs.
Concluding Thoughts
Countries in the Asia Pacific are at a crossroads in their development trajectory. At this crucial juncture of the history of humankind worldwide, in which sustainable development is more important than economic growth, as we know it, Soroptimist International is well-positioned to engage and support countries and communities to make the crucial shift towards green energy: especially because we work tirelessly at the grassroots level through our numerous clubs. This is the time we should capitalise on our strengths.
We possess in-depth knowledge and extensive expertise of working at the grassroots, and are acutely aware of the needs, interests and concerns of women. Moreover, because we work at the global and local levels, we have a profound understanding of the opportunities and the challenges of women from all walks of life in the Asia Pacific in their desire to achieve gender equality.