By Kumari Mandira Rani Das
In the present world, balancing economic development and environmental sustainability are being an important issue to focus on. To catch up with developed countries, developing countries are focusing more on economic growth, while environmental sustainability is still a concept in their minds. Although sustainable economic development is the key to ensuring long-term affluence and a sound environment, it has taken considerable time for this matter to be genuinely acknowledged.
Economic development gives an idea on how the huge growth of resources and energy helps in increasing production and infrastructure improvement alongside social economic development.
On the other hand, environmental sustainability refers to the ecological balance of natural resources, so that they can be preserved for our future generation and our wellbeing in the meantime.
Bridging between economic development and environmental sustainability has become crucial nowadays as we are going through a revolutionary socioeconomic change. Most of the population are focusing on rising living standards, combating poverty, and increasing socioeconomic status. Developing countries are prioritizing economic profits, industrial and technological advancement, where somehow these over-profitable economic decisions and policies are resulting in the ignorance of environmental sustainability. This leads to pollution, habitat destruction and overuse of natural resources, endangering the Earth’s natural balance and the well-being of future generations.
From the early 20th century, it is remarkably seen that scientific discoveries like ozone depletion and environmental disasters such as the Chernobyl spill have served as the reminders of the urgent need to integrate environmental concerns into global political and economic discourse. While modern production and development methods are often viewed as poverty alleviation measures, they can exacerbate environmental degradation and endanger vulnerable populations in many countries. The environmental burdens of developed countries are often shifted onto unprepared populations, particularly in developing nations.
In order to balance economic development and sustainable environment, the green economy can play a vital role. According to Pearce, Markandya and Barbier, 1989, The term green economy was first coined in a pioneering 1989 report for the Government of the United Kingdom by a group of leading environmental economists, entitled Blueprint for a Green Economy.
United Nations Development Programme (UNEP) 2011, has defined the green economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. It is low carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive. As the green economy prefers long term sustainability, it can be the pillar to bridge the environmental sustainability and economy.
Alongside with this concept, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), adopted by United Nations (UN) in 2015, present their concern for the economic sustainability with environment, The goal 7- Affordable and Clean Energy; 11- Sustainable Cities and Communities; 12- Responsible Consumption and Production; 13- Climate Action, could help in achieving the necessary measures of balance between the economic development and environmental sustainability.
Bangladesh, as an overpopulated country, is rapidly gaining recognition worldwide by its industrial revolution and infrastructure development. A rapid growth of industries like garments, factories, manufacturing companies are helping the mass population economically, but it also affected the environment and ecosystem tremendously. Most of the industrial wastes are thrown into the rivers which recently caused the death of many important rivers like Buriganga.
Bangladesh as a lay lowing country faced flooding and erosion in its coastal areas every year. Rapid industrialization caused the excessive deforestation and hill cutting. Recently on August 13, the Environmental Department of Bangladesh found that eight areas in Chittagong city, Cox’s Bazar, and three hill districts had undergone hill cutting. Even though governments are trying to implement the policies regarding environmental sustainability with economic growth, it is hard without changing the mindset and concern of this huge population as some quarters in the political arena contend that stricter laws may curtail economic progress and employment opportunities.
A large part of governmental and political leaders are concerned with this balance but it is true that ignoring environmental concern can hinder long-term prosperity and opportunities for the future generation. In this regard, Bangladesh has already initiated policies and collaborations with international communities and organizations. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) plan is still helping Bangladesh in evaluating the targeted goals. On the other hand, Bangladesh Government has initiated “The Delta Plan – 2100” for ensuring water and food security, economic growth and environmental sustainability, which will help in building a sustainable socio-economic development without harming the ecosystem. However, Bangladesh Government also formulated the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for 2023-2050 to address the impacts of climate change. Global Development Organizations like the United Nations and World Bank are helping Bangladesh with financing and infrastructure and ideas regarding sustainable economic development but due to internal politics, lack of interest and many more factors are hindering it.
The future of Bangladesh is relying on the present initiatives and the ability to tackle all holistic obstacles. Bangladesh is like a newbie in the successful industrial and technological advancement world. As a still running developing country, balancing between economic development and environmental sustainability will take a little time but the recent initiatives of Bangladesh indicate the great urge to renovate the sustainable growth in all aspects and moving forward with the benevolent thought of sustainability in parallel.
The writer is a member of Social Research Group (SRG) and Undergraduate Student of Public Administration, Comilla University.
