A more effective approach to sustainable development is needed
An effective governance approach to sustainable development may be based on a shared vision with long-term goals and consistent short-term targets, combining strengthened government actions with the numerous civic and corporate initiatives, worldwide, and strengthened global governance.
Adaptations to the current approach would consist of an increased focus on creating a reliable long-term vision, combined with stimulating learning and innovation. Incentive structures should match these long-term goals. The best way to go about this could be to start pragmatically by taking many small steps in the right direction, building more strongly on the innovative capacity of citizens and businesses, worldwide. By exploring best practices, diffusing technologies and making incremental improvements, support and understanding may be created for the more radical changes that are required.
- Develop a consistent vision with long-term goals and short-term targets
- Ensure that rules and regulations create the right incentive structure for transformative changes
- Increase policy coherency between relevant decision-making processes
- Reform policy-making at an international level
Simon Upton (Director Environment, OECD) reflects on how Green Growth can be implemented. Solutions never come from one place, key decisions are taken at national level.
Professor Anthony Giddens (London School of Economics) reflects on how the world has radically increased its interdependence but the mechanisms of governing world society are relatively primitive. We depend on national governments and the energy and inventiveness of civil society.
