TRANSFORMING OUR WORLD IN HARMONY WITH NATURE Integrating Nature while Implementing the UN's 2019 Sustainable Development Goals TRANSFORMING OUR WORLD IN HARMONY WITH NATURE Integrating Nature while Implementing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals CHIEF AUTHORS OF THE ENCLOSED REPORTS Marilyn Fowler, MA, PhD., Department of Consciousness and Sustainable Development John F. Kennedy University Joan Kehoe, MSC Maia Kincaid, PhD. Founder of the Sedona International School for Nature and Animal Communication Consultant and International Lecturer Jill Lauri, MBA, MSW Lee Samatowic, ND Lisinka Ulatowska, MA, PhD. UN Representative, AWN, AWC, IPS Coordinator, Commons Cluster of the UN NGO Major Group Rob Wheeler Main UN Representative, Global Ecovillage Network Produced by the Commons Cluster of the UN NGO Major Group for the Partnership on the Right of Nature. Integrating Nature into the Implementation of the SDGs. LAYOUT AND FORMATTING Tonny van Knotsenburg COVER AND CHAPTER DESIGN Devin Lafferty, CreativSense CONTACT Lisinka Ulatowska, Coordinator [email protected] CONTENTS Introduction 5 Executive Summary: Transforming our World in Harmony with Nature, Integrating Nature while Implementing the SDGs 6 Part I: Integrating Nature with the UN’s 2019 Sustainable Development Goals 37 SDG 4: Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All...............................................................38 Introduction Targets SDG 8: Promote Sustained, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth, Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All................................57 Introduction Targets SDG 10: Reduce Inequality Within and Among Countries.................................104 Introduction Targets SDG 13: Take Urgent Action to Combat Climate Change and Its Impacts........130 Introduction Targets SDG 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels....155 Introduction Targets Part II: Actions to Implement the 2019 SDGs with a Nature Perspective 176 General Introduction: Part II as a Powerful Tool 177 Environment and Nature 179 Introduction: Consciously recognizing the role of Nature is playing in our daily living; and fashioning this into a powerful tool for sustainable development. Means of Implementation: To help us reach SDGs 4, 8, 10, 13 and 16. Education and Research 198 Introduction: Nature as an indispensable tool for the development of individual potential as well as well-integrated, benevolent societies. Means of Implementation: To help us reach SDGs 4, 8, 10, 13 and 16. Society and Infrastructure 222 Introduction: Nature-inspired building blocks for sustainable societies. Means of Implementation: To help us reach SDGs 8, 10, 13 and 16. Culture 236 Introduction: How Culture is rooted in geographic location in interaction with individual and social development; the problems that arise as our geographic environment spans the globe and how these might be resolved. Means of Implementation: To help us reach SDGs 8, 10, 13 and 16. Economy and Financing Mechanisms 241 Introduction: Nature-inspired approaches to sustainable economic development and its financing. Means of Implementation: To help us reach SDGs 8, 10, 13 and 16. Development 254 Introduction: How right relationship with Nature can help us address both material and spiritual poverty which are two sides of the same coin. Means of Implementation: To help us reach SDGs 8 and 10. Technology 262 Introduction: The relationship between Nature, technology and human evolution Means of Implementation: To help us reach SDGs 8 and 10. Policy and Law 266 Introduction: Globally enforceable law seen from the perspective of evolution since the Big Bang. Means of Implementation: To help us reach SDGs 8, 10, 13 and 16. Agriculture 284 Introduction: Nature specifically as it relates to large, industrial monocultures. Means of Implementation: To help us reach SDGs 8, 10, 13 and 16. About the Partnership on the Rights of Nature: Integrating Nature into the Implementation of the SDGs and the Commons Cluster of the UN NGO Major Group 291 General Introduction Human beings are a part of Nature. Each of us is a tiny node affecting the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere and the geosphere that together constitute the Earth System with every breath we take, everything we consume, the waste we produce and the actions we do—or do not—take. When the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that lie at the heart of Transforming Our World, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UN Member States recognized that “The goals are integrated and indivisible and balance the economic, social and environmental.” While the people that make up societies and the goods and services that constitute economies originate with Nature, the forms they take, are created by human beings. Human beings are thus able to stand apart and analyse these to determine what changes to make. But people are a minuscule part of Nature. While we can—and are—affecting the planetary boundaries that can support human life, we are unable to stand apart from the vast mysterious forces that inspire Life and Creation within the Universe we inhabit. Living in harmony with Nature requires a more integrated use of our mental faculties. For this reason, the Partnership on the Rights of Nature: Integrating Nature into the Implementation of the SDGs consists of a range of professionals from quite diverse disciplines: Academics, Indigenous Peoples, people who live from the land and Nature Communicators. We consist of representatives of mainly UN ECOSOC accredited organizations as well as individuals. This Report was written with world leaders in mind: Heads of State and Government, Government Ministers, professionals in governments at all levels and civil society innovators in the relevant fields. This is the second report in a series that started in 2018. It consists of separate reports on how Nature can be integrated in the SDGs being focused on in 2019. These will be discussed at the High Level Political Forum with their accompanying targets, as well as during two Summits and one high level debate. All three of these will be held during the UN's High Level Segment of its General Debate, attended by Heads of State and Government. To summarize, this book can be used as a tool: • By Heads of State and Government when determining what they wish to mention when they address the United Nations High Level Meetings; • By Ministries and civil society, including the private sector to check for ways in which they might wish to include Nature in their work; and • By all who wish to explore in their day to day activities how clarity and effectiveness are increased when our actions align with the empowering forces in Nature. Transforming Our World 5 Introduction Addressing Goals 4, 8, 10, 13, 16 and 17 Education Employment Sustainable Economy Equity Climate Change Peace & Justice TRANSFORMING OUR WORLD IN HARMONY WITH NATURE Integrating Nature While Implementing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals EXECUTIVE SUMMARY JUNE 2019 In addressing the three pillars—Economy, However, if we truly wish to meet the Society and Environment (Nature)—that particular goals that are being discussed support the United Nations 2030 Agenda this year, it is essential that we pay just for Sustainable Development, much as much, if not more, attention to the third emphasis has been placed on the economic pillar, that of the Natural Environment, and social reforms needed to create a given that it is generally acknowledged that sustainable future. In 2019, the UN’s the implementation of the UN’s Sustainable High Level Political Forum will be looking Development Goals (SDGs) will succeed specifcally at the role that these same only to the extent to which we succeed in sectors can and do play in transitioning to living in harmony with Nature and within the a more sustainable society and world. This carrying capacity that the Earth provides. year the international community will be looking at how education, transitioning to a Nature and the natural environment provide sustainable economy, creating employment the basic resources that are required to opportunities, increasing equity, stabilizing support all of life and to create and maintain the climate, and creating a world of peace a healthy economy. We have already and justice can help us in both transitioning degraded the natural environment to such to a sustainable future and ensuring that all an extent that we have rapidly depleted people’s basic human rights and needs can the natural resource base, are facing be met. increasing shortages across many sectors that are now impacting one another in a take responsibility for the challenges and for complex inter-connected manner, and are resolving them, miraculous changes may undermining even the ability of ecosystems occur. Feeling, listening, and considering to be able to heal and regenerate or restore the planet before taking action will bring themselves. The consequences from our clarity and understanding. The result will actions are felt in economies and societies be a discontinuation of destructive actions around the world as conficts break out and practices, a renewal of vitality of the between people in many countries as they earth, a thriving diversity of species, and a scramble for scarce resources. sense of pride and joy in community. Indeed,