Sustainability in Troubled Times
We live in times of uncertainty and global (dis)order. „Understanding global mega-trends is crucial. We live in times of multiple, evolving and mutually-reinforcing shifts“, says UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He adds: „These dynamics, of geopolitical, demographic, climatic, technological, social and economic nature, enhance threats and opportunities on an unprecedented scale.“ Therefore sustainability in troubled times is the key topic of this Sustainability Yearbook 2017, edited by macondo publishing. In the opening essay, Elmer Lenzen takes a critical look at the relationship between democracy and globalization. For decades this combination was a formula for success. Now both are experiencing troubled times. UN Global Compact founding director Georg Kell and Princeton professor Larry Diamond, who are well- known figures in this field, explain some of the reasons why in a profound interview. One reason is that today’s world is becoming more fragmented. So how can sustainability work in these times? It can work if we focus on the needs of the present without compromising the abilities of the future, says Global Compact Action Platform fellow Richard Roberts, and by utilizing the advantages of tomorrow. But doing the right thing in critical times is also a question of attitude. The entrepreneur Richard Branson and the actor Colin Firth both show in their own ways that sustainability means authenticity.
We live in times of uncertainty and global (dis)order. „Understanding global mega-trends is crucial. We live in times of multiple, evolving and mutually-reinforcing shifts“, says UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He adds: „These dynamics, of geopolitical, demographic, climatic, technological, social and economic nature, enhance threats and opportunities on an unprecedented scale.“ Therefore sustainability in troubled times is the key topic of this Sustainability Yearbook 2017, edited by macondo publishing.
In the opening essay, Elmer Lenzen takes a critical look at the relationship between democracy and globalization. For decades this combination was a formula for success. Now both are experiencing troubled times. UN Global Compact founding director Georg Kell and Princeton professor Larry Diamond, who are well- known figures in this field, explain some of the reasons why in a profound interview. One reason is that today’s world is becoming more fragmented. So how can sustainability work in these times?
It can work if we focus on the needs of the present without compromising the abilities of the future, says Global Compact Action Platform fellow Richard Roberts, and by utilizing the advantages of tomorrow. But doing the right thing in critical times is also a question of attitude. The entrepreneur Richard Branson and the actor Colin Firth both show in their own ways that sustainability means authenticity.
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ANDORRA’S CHALLENGES:<br />
A MORE OPEN AND MORE<br />
COMPETITIVE COUNTRY<br />
By Jennifer Dobarro Boyer, FEDA<br />
For 2017, Andorra has set itself the objective<br />
of consolidat<strong>in</strong>g the country’s<br />
efforts to open up beyond its borders,<br />
renew the Andorran educational system,<br />
and improve its communication<br />
<strong>in</strong>frastructure with the construction of<br />
a national heliport.<br />
However, one major challenge that<br />
stands out with<strong>in</strong> the environmental<br />
arena is the commitment to energy diversification<br />
and susta<strong>in</strong>ability. The major<br />
global challenges <strong>in</strong> this matter are also<br />
of concern to Andorra. Problems such as<br />
climatic change and global warm<strong>in</strong>g can<br />
have a direct impact <strong>in</strong> a country where<br />
the economy is very closely l<strong>in</strong>ked to<br />
snow and mounta<strong>in</strong> tourism.<br />
In 2015, Andorra was one of the first<br />
countries to present its national contribution<br />
to the agreement to fight climatic<br />
change (COP21). In 2016 it was present at<br />
the sign<strong>in</strong>g of the New York Agreement,<br />
which envisages a 37 percent reduction<br />
<strong>in</strong> emissions up to 2030, and emissions<br />
neutrality by 2050.<br />
In Andorra, the ma<strong>in</strong> sources of gas<br />
emissions with a greenhouse effect are<br />
transport and heat<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Andorra ranks second <strong>in</strong> the world for<br />
the number of electric cars<br />
In transport matters, the country has a<br />
program <strong>in</strong> place to encourage the use<br />
114<br />
Global Compact International Yearbook 2017
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