Cross-cutting Issues

Abstract

Environmental pollution is still a major source of damage to the health of the planet (well established), human health (well established), equity (well established) and economic sustainability (established but incomplete). The risks, however, are systemic and wide-ranging, including climate change, ecosystem and biodiversity loss, wildlife damage, systemic change and other major issues. Sustainable development is possible if 'Healthy Planet, Healthy People' becomes central to our understanding of genuine progress. Solutions need to be both evidence-based and systemic, tackling sources of pollution, aiming for co-benefits and checking for unintended consequences. {4.2.1} The number of people affected by both slow and suddenonset environmental disasters is increasing due to compounding effects of multiple and interacting drivers (well established). These drivers include climate change and environmental degradation, poverty and social inequality, demographic change and settlement patterns, increasing population density in urban areas, unplanned urbanization, unsustainable use of natural resources, weak institutional arrangements, and policies which do not consider disaster risk. Disasters undermine human security and well-being, resulting in loss and damage to ecosystems, property, infrastructure, livelihoods, economies and places of cultural significance while forcing millions of people each year to flee their homes. {4.2.2} Gender equality and women's empowerment are multipliers of sustainability (well established). Ensuring gender-equal representation in environmental assessments, resource management and environmental decision-making ensures that diverse experiences and knowledge systems about the environment are integrated and ecosystem conservation and sustainable use of natural resources are enhanced. In this way, increasing gender equality and women's empowerment contribute to achieving the environmental dimension of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). {4.2.3} Significant progress has been made around the world with implementing education for sustainable development (ESD) in all educational sectors (well established). However, upscaling of ESD is still needed in order to include it as a core element in the structures of educational systems globally. In this way, education will contribute to achieving the SDGs. Policies are needed that eliminate economic and gender barriers to accessing education. {4.2.4}