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Globalization and Sustainable Development

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DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14594.71366

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GLOBAL ACADEMY TALKS
https://www.globacademy.org/global-akademi-konusmalari-2/global-akademi-konusmalari-seminerler/
No. 4, NOVEMBER 2020

Globalization and Sustainable

Development

Assoc.Prof. Çiğdem Üstün

Nişantaşı University
[email protected]
 GLOBALIZATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Çiğdem Üstün, Assoc. Prof.

Nişantaşı University

ABSTRACT
Following the promulgation of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals for a sustainable future in 2000,
countries adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. SDGs are a universal call to action to end
poverty, protect the planet, and improve the lives and prospects for people around the world. All UN Member States
adopted the 17 Goals and 169 targets in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which
laid out a 15-year plan to achieve them. The goals aimed to eradicate poverty, protect the environment and the
planet, and live in peace and prosperity. Significant progress has been made on achieving the first two SDGs, No
Poverty and Zero Hunger. It seemed unlikely that any of the remaining SDG goals would be reached by 2030, even
before the COVID-19 pandemic; now, the pandemic has made it all the less likely. Talking about economics, finance,
and ecology to achieve sustainable development and reach the SDGs' targets is alone insufficient. Countries must
instead act with the awareness that health is as inseparable a component of sustainable development as the
economy and environment are. Moreover, they must take decisive steps to improve social sustainability through
equality, diversity, and democratic governance principles. For a behavioral transformation on a global scale,
cooperation with civil society and participatory governance practices should be integrated at local, national, and
international levels.

REFERENCE: Üstün, Çiğdem, “Globalization and Sustainable Development”, Global Academy Talks Series (İstanbul:
Global Academy and International Relations Council), No.4, November 2020, https://www.globacademy.org/wp-
content/uploads/2021/11/CUstun_SustainableDevelopment_v.2.pdf

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14594.71366

1
Global Academy Talks, No. 4, November 2020

their security-driven instincts and practiced protective

Introduction
behavior by closing their borders. However, the global

T
level interconnectedness in economics, commerce, and
he concepts of sustainability and sustainable
social and cultural relations has prevented us from
development have been a part of our lives since the
keeping borders closed. In addition, it is clear that
end of the 1980s but have expanded their use in
isolation and closed borders will not help us achieve a
all fields of social and human science since the end of the
sustainable future. Attempts to take unilateral measures
Cold War. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the fate of the
at the expense of international cooperation mechanisms
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which was
may cause the most significant damage to sustainability
accepted in 2015 and aimed to reach until 2030, and
goals.
how much of the 169 goals under these goals can be
achieved. The SDGs, a universal call for action aiming to After the initial protective reflex, we have started to hear
eliminate poverty, protect the environment and the statements like "We are all in the same boat!" and "The
planet, and live in peace and prosperity under 17 main virus threatens every country in the same way!" However,
headings, offer states an inclusive agenda. Within this due to social injustices and differences between
inclusive agenda, there are 2 types of goals; the ones developed and undeveloped countries, the virus does not
which have been directly affected by the COVID-19 affect us all in the same way as discussed in the
pandemic such as ending poverty and hunger, quality sustainability debates. Although states are working hard
education, health and quality life, decent work and to prevent unemployment and help small and medium-
economic growth, gender equality, reducing inequalities, sized enterprises with various economic stimulus
responsible production and consumption, and the ones packages, these are limited by states' capacities and
which are indirectly affected such as goals to protect the resources and are thus vastly different. For this reason,
environment. Failure to achieve the 2030 Agenda for the packages offered by the states in countries with
Sustainable Development targets, thrown into doubt by more capacity and resources increase the differentiation
COVID-19, raises the concern that sustainable between developed and developing countries. Over time,
development will be undermined in a manner from which restrictions were lifted, economic activities were
it will be impossible to recover. accelerated, especially in developing countries, to
reclaim the time lost economically, and the number of
Although it is not the first pandemic in history, the
cases accelerated. In this framework, it is better
emergence and spread of COVID-19 has created
understood that health policies and economic policies
enormous uncertainties for individuals, societies, and
should not be considered separately from each other.
states. Even though we may compare the 1918 Spanish
Flu, today's interconnectedness due to globalization has The COVID-19 pandemic is a sign for all of us to
triggered worldwide fragilities on a more profound scale. remember the importance of sustainability to humanity's
Confronted with the unknown, states initially reverted to future. The pandemic has made us question facets of our

1
Globalization and Sustainable Development

daily lives, from reconsidering our working habits, needs of today's generations without compromising the
transportation, and logistics practices and finding needs of the next generations.”3
environmentally friendly solutions to rethinking
The industrial development after World War II has caused
urbanization, and reconstructing our concrete-embedded
the diversification of economic activities and markets.
cities. We have realized that we need more available
Globalization was further accelerated after the end of the
public spaces. All these debates and discussions show
Cold War. The development of the capitalist system
that the SDGs are more critical for our future on this
paved the way for the division between developed
planet than ever before.
economies, developing economies, and underdeveloped
economies, and the divisions between them has
Sustainability and Sustainable Development deepened. Meanwhile, such an understanding of

When it comes to development, one should not think development has created new environmental problems.

about only the models that are handled from the For this reason, our understanding of development needs

economic framework, but also the models that include a to change more and more, however the difficulty of

sustainable development. Sustainability, is defined as the producing policies in line with sustainable development

functioning of the society, ecosystem or any ongoing actually emerged as a result of the differences between

system until an uncertain future without consuming the the global South-North countries during the Tariffs and

main resources, according to Gilman. 1 The 1972 UN Trade General Agreement (GATT) Uruguay Round.

Declaration of Human Environment, or Stockholm Yet, as consumption continues unabated, it is difficult to

Declaration, initiated a discussion about sustainable advance a concept of social development that includes
development and the need to preserve and enhance the equality, justice, and democracy for all. Globalization has
human environment. The World Environment and exacerbated the inequalities between the South and
Development Commission later prepared the Brundtland North and a genuinely global sustainable environmental
Report in 1987, defining sustainable development as policy remains elusive. 4 Although globalization has
"development that meets the needs of the present increased cooperation by facilitating communication,
without compromising the needs of future generations to problems that sovereign states cannot solve with their
meet their own needs." In 2001, the OECD similarly
2
own efforts have come to the fore with the increasing
defined sustainable development as the fulfillment of the speed in production and consumption. Climate change,
the destruction of biodiversity, our damage to the

1 Robert Gilman, “Sustainability by Robert Gilman from the 1992 3 OECD The DAC Guidelines Strategies for Sustainable
UIA/AIA call for sustainable community solutions”, Development, Paris, 2001.
https://www.context.org/about/definitions/ (Access date 2 4 Ethem Torunoğlu, “Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Paradigması
November 2020). Üzerine Ön Notlar, TÜBİTAK Vizyon 2023 Panel İçin Notlar”,
2 Ceren Aksu, “Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma ve Çevre”, Güney Ege 2004 https://www.tubitak.gov.tr/tubitak_content_files/vizyon
Kalkınma Ajansı, 2011. http://geka.gov.tr/Dosyalar/o_19v5e 2023/csk/EK-16.pdf (Access date 2 November 2020).
00u1ru61bbncf2qmlcpv8.pdf (Access date 2 November 2020).

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Global Academy Talks, No. 4, November 2020

environment, increasing inequalities and injustices are included.8 The concept of productivity in this definition is
just some of these problems. defined as "a development strategy that serves all of the
aims of reducing poverty, increasing employment,
To cope with ecological, social, economic, and political
protecting human rights, strengthening social peace and
problems, the concepts of the green economy, ecological
democracy, improving working conditions and
sustainability, and social sustainability also fall within
sustainable development."9
the concept of sustainable development. It is argued that,
based on the sustainable development approach, the Considering that the concepts of Green Economy and
countries that have the largest responsibility for creating ecological sustainability cannot be considered separately
the ecological crisis and climate change should take the from each other, principles such as recycling energy and
most responsibility in solving them. 5 Within the UN materials, using fewer materials to provision goods and
Environment Program, a Global Green New Deal Policy services, and renewal capacity10 are central. At the same
Note was prepared in 2009, which underlined that a new time, social sustainability in the fields of healthcare and
sustainable development model based on the Green education is deemed essential. The concept of Green
Economy is required to prevent ecological scarcity and Economy also draws attention to issues such as access
climate change on a global level. 6
to energy as a human right, preserving the livelihoods of
individuals and societies, equality in social support
The Green Economy approach posits that growth is also
services, ensuring safe and healthy working conditions,
possible by reducing resource consumption. In this
and preventing forced labor and child labor.11
context, a green economic policy package should be
based on the production of environmentally compatible As mentioned, since the 1980s, the UN has led
recyclable products and the development of a global worldwide efforts in sustainable development. In this
understanding of social responsibility. UN Environment
7
context, the SDGs were introduced in 2015 as the latest
Program defines the Green Economy as an approach in phase of the UN's global steps12 to build a sustainable
which greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, resource future.
efficiency is increased and social development is also

5 Serdar Altınok et al. “Küresel İklim Değişikliği Sorununun 9Joseph Prokopenko, Verimliliği Teşvik Kuruluşları: Evrim ve
Çözümü İçin Yeni Bir Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Anlayışı”, 2015 Deneyim (ILO Yayınları), Çeviri. MPM Yayın No:675, Ankara.
https://www.avekon.org/papers/1393.pdf (Access date 2 2004 içinde Nurettin Peşkircioğlu, “2030 Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma
November 2020). Hedefleri: Küresel Verimlilik Hareketine Doğru”,
6 UNEP Global Green New Deal Policy Brief, Geneva, 2009 https://www.academia.edu/35678484/2030_S%C3%BCrd%C3
https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/7903/A %BCr%C3%BClebilir_Kalkinma_Hedefleri_K%C3%BCresel_Ve
_Global_Green_New_Deal_Policy_Brief.pdf?sequence=3&amp rimlilik_Hareketine_Do%C4%9Fru (Access date 2 November
%3BisAllowed= (Access date 2 November 2020). 2020).
10 Frank D. Vivien, “Sustainable Development: An Overview of
7 Mustafa Özçağ ve Hakan Hotunluoğlu, “Kalkınma Anlayışında

Yeni bir Boyut: Yeşil Ekonomi”, CBÜ Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Vol Economic Proposals”, SAPIENS, Vol 1, No 2, 2008 p. 1-8.
23, No 2, June 2015, p. 303-324. 11 Muhammed Yunus Bilgili, “Ekonomik, Ekolojik ve Sosyal

8 UNEP Green Economy Developing Countries Success Stories, Boyutlarıyla Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma”, Uluslararası Sosyal
Geneva, 2010 https://www.greengrowthknowledge.org/case- Araştırmalar Dergisi, Vol 10, No 40, 2017 p. 559-570.
studies/green-economy-developing-countries-success-stories 12 1992 Rio de Janerio – UN Environment and Development

(Access date 2 November 2020). Conference, 2002 Johannesburg – World Sustainable

3
Globalization and Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Targets SDG 12: Responsible consumption and

production
The Sustainable Development Goals are built on the goals
adopted by the United Nations at the Millennium Summit SDG 13: Climate action

in 2000. At this summit, the member states set 8 goals SDG 14: Life below Water
to be achieved by 2015 to eradicate extreme poverty and
SDG 15: Life on land
hunger, ensure universal primary education, promote
gender equality and empower women, reduce child SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
mortality, improve maternal health, fight HIV / AIDS,
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental
sustainability and advance global cooperation for The 169 targets under these objectives guide states to
development. end poverty, protect the environment, take measures
against the climate crisis, foster the equitable sharing of
The 17 SDGs adopted in 2015 are a continuation of these
welfare, and achieve peace by 2030.
goals;
These SDGs are also a response to criticisms of the
SDG 1: No poverty
concept of sustainable development. While the concept
SDG 2: End hunger of sustainability should be related to the sustainability of
life, one of the most frequently leveled criticisms was
SDG 3: Good health and well-being
that the concept was mostly about the sustainability of
SDG 4: Quality education development. SDGs are, in other words, emphasizing the

SDG 5: Gender Equality relationship between economy and environment in favor

of the economy.13 Considering the SDGs and their sub-
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation
goals, providing sustainable fresh water supply to solve
SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy the problem of water scarcity under the purposes such
as clean water, clean energy, prevention of climate
SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
change, protection of life on land and water, and
SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure significantly reducing the number of people suffering
from water scarcity; strengthening resilience and
SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
adaptation capacity to climate-related hazards and

Development Summit, 2012 Rio de Janerio – UN Sustainable surdurulebilir-kalkinmanin-ekonomi-politigi/ (Access date 2

Development Conference (Rio+20). November 2020).
13 Fevzi Özlüer, “Sürdürülebilir Kalkınmanın Ekonomi Politiği”, 27

February 2014, http://www.fevziozluer.av.tr/2014/02/27/

4
Global Academy Talks, No. 4, November 2020

natural disasters in all countries; take action for the include the mobilizing of additional financial resources
sustainable management and protection of marine and and the adopting and implementing of investment
coastal ecosystems and the restoration of oceans to have incentives for the least developed countries. In this
healthy and productive oceans; targets such as context, it can be said that the SDGs are a guide for
conservation, restoration and sustainable use of increasing aid, not preventing the development of
terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems in developing countries. However, there are still questions
wetlands, mountains and arid areas in line with the regarding whether aid bring benefits to developing
obligations arising from international agreements have countries. Furthermore, the factors involved in the
been determined. These goals and targets underscore provision of aid could lead to the continuation of the
that the SDGs place emphasis on the environment. countries' unfair relations, by perpetuating the
hierarchical relations embedded in the system. There is
Two interrelated criticisms of the previous definition of
no way to respond to these concerns within the
sustainable development pertained to ignoring the
framework of the SDGs. For this reason, it is hoped that
waste-transfer phenomenon. It was argued that the
these discussions, especially in the field of international
transfer of waste from developed countries to developing
political economy, will shape future sustainable
countries contradicted the ideal of sustainable
development models.
development. As far as the SDGs are concerned, SDG12:
Responsible Production and Consumption answers the
first part of the criticism. By 2030, it is targeted to halve The Effects of the COVID-19 on the SDGs
per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared
levels; to reduce food losses in production and supply COVID-19 a pandemic on 11 March 2020, governments
chains, including post-harvest losses; and to ensure started to taking measures to combat it. In this context,
environmentally sound management while phasing out borders were closed, people's mobility was restricted,
harmful incentives that degrade environment and schools were closed, most companies switched to
restructuring the taxation. remote-working models, and restaurants, theaters,

SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals encourages cinemas, and shopping malls were closed. Everyone,

increasing official development aid. Developed countries except those working in essential services, was asked to

to implement fully their official development assistance stay at home. Curfews were imposed around the world,

commitments, including the commitment by many although they varied from country to country. Of course,

developed countries to achieve the target of 0.7 percent the effects of such measures on the economy were

of gross national income for official development immediately felt, businesses began to close, and

assistance (ODA/GNI) to developing countries and to unemployment figures rose.

0.20 percent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries. It is expected that the pandemic will cause the number
Considering the needs of developing economies, targets of people living below the poverty line of $1.9 per day to

5
Globalization and Sustainable Development

increase by more than 80 million and the number of pandemic, the International Labor Organization
people earning below the $3.2 per day line to increase by announced that 81% of the world workforce was
more than 130 million.14 Thus, the pandemic will place affected as of April 2020 as a result of full or partial
many into poverty, especially in the world’s poorest restrictions. Besides, the world economy is expected to
regions and erases the gains made in SDG 1: No Poverty shrink by 3% in the most optimistic forecast and 10% in
and SDG 2: Zero Hunger. Before the pandemic, it seemed the most pessimistic forecast. 18 Following these most
that progress was made within these two objectives. optimistic and most pessimistic projections, the World
Although the negative effects of this progress on the Bank predicted that 40 to 60 million people would be
SDG 11-15, which are especially related to the pushed into extreme poverty due to COVID-19. On the
environment, are criticized, 15 it is expected that all SDGs other hand, the Asian Development Bank predicted that
will regress with the pandemic. According to the 2020 158 million to 242 million people would lose their jobs.
Sustainable Development Report, a certain level of 19
The pandemic also produced uncertainty and
progress was achieved before COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan prevented individuals, societies, and states from making
Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. However, long-term projections. States distanced themselves from
progress in reaching the SDGs has been made mostly in international cooperation. The isolation of states has
East and South Asian countries. 16 consolidated power asymmetries and deepened the gap
between the rich and the poor.20
According to the OECD, COVID-19 especially affected
developing countries negatively. The necessity to use Considering the economic impacts of COVID-19
financial resources for urgent needs that emerged during accompanied by the structural problems of development
the pandemic depleted the financial resources allocated models, it has now become more challenging to achieve
to the SDGs. As economic activities are constrained, inclusive and sustainable development. It is noted that
resource mobilization will suffer. Thus, developing the political will required for the development of policies
economies that are already struggling will attempt to compatible with the SDGs has weakened. Given the
find alternative financial resources for social and supply chain problems due to pandemic, the reflex of
economic interventions. 17 With the announcement of the

14 Andy Sumner et al, “Estimates of the impact of COVID-19 on of-the-coronavirus-covid-19-crisis-on-development-finance-

global poverty”, WIDER Working Paper 43, 2020 p.5. 9de00b3b/ (Access date 2 November 2020).
15 Edward B. Barbier ve Joanne C. Burgess, “Sustainable 18 Necati Çıtak, “COVID-19 ve Sınıfsal Eşitsizlik”, TTB COVID-

development goal indicators: Analyzing trade-offs and 19 Pandemisi Altıncı Ay Değerlendirme Raporu,
complementarities”, World Development, Vol 122, 2019 p. 295- https://www.ttb.org.tr/kutuphane/covid19-rapor_6/covid19-
305. rapor_6_Part56.pdf (Access date 2 November 2020).
16 Guillaume Lafortune et al, “The SDGs, COVID-19 and the 19 Manuar Mukarram, “Impact of COVID-19 on the UN

Global South: Insights from the Sustainable Development Report Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, Strategic Analysis, Vol
2020”, 16 July 2020, http://www.ipsnews.net/2020/07/sdgs- 44, No 3, p.254.
covid-19-global-south-insights-sustainable-development-report- 20 Francisco Santos-Carrillo et al, “Rethinking the Governance of
2020/ (Access date 2 November 2020). the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the COVID-19
17OECD The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis on Era”, Sustainability, Vol 12, No 18, https://www.mdpi.com/2071-
development finance, 24 June 2020, 1050/12/18/7680 (Access date 2 November 2020).
http://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy-responses/the-impact-

6
Global Academy Talks, No. 4, November 2020

protecting domestic markets may increase export want to avoid paying taxes often prefer informal child
controls, making it more challenging to reach the SDGs. 21
labor. This situation leads to an increase in the informal
economy and the state's inability to collect taxes. Thus,
It is projected that the pandemic's economic effects may
the allocation of money for social services will be curbed.
also have adverse effects on other specific SDGs, such
If a social security system loses its social inclusion
as SDG 4: Quality Education. As a result of schools'
capacity, poverty will deepen and inequality between the
prolonged closure, existing inequalities are expected to
social classes will increase. Within this vicious circle, it
worsen, which will profoundly affect future generations.
is not likely to achieve the targets of SDG 8: Decent Work
According to UNICEF, more than 460 million students do
and Economic Growth by 2030.
not have access to distance education.22 Students who
do not have a regular and stable Internet connection and Curfews and lockdowns due to COVID-19 have also
the necessary technological infrastructure and devices raised concerns within the framework of SDG 5: Gender
no longer have access to education. The closure of Equality. The fact that the workload of women increased
schools also prevents children from accessing regular with the moving of business life into the home, the
food. According to the World Food Program, 265 million responsibilities of the education of children mostly
children worldwide cannot access a certain part of their belong to the mothers with the closure of the schools and
daily meals. 23 According to a projection, 200 million the increase of domestic violence,25 which is already a
children will be out of education by 2030. Thus, the big problem, showed that there are losses in this field.
targets of SDG4 also are likely to be missed. According to the studies of UN Women, there was a 25%
increase worldwide in domestic violence cases during
Considering the unemployment caused by the economic
the COVID-19 pandemic.26 Studies by the UN Population
recession, together with the increase in the number of
Fund found that the pandemic significant affected
children who do not attend school, child labor is expected
women and girls, increasing inequality. It is predicted
to increase. According to the International Labor
that 1 out of every 5 girls aged 0-14 will be in extreme
Organization, an increase in child labor has been
poverty, and 53% of the poor population aged 55 and
observed for the first time since 2000.24 The increase in
child labor is a socio-economic phenomenon that is
observed in times of economic crises. Employers who

21 The consequences of COVID-19: reduced chances of 23Global Monitoring of School Meals During COVID-19 School
achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development? IISS Closures, WFP, https://cdn.wfp.org/2020/school-feeding-
Research Papers 30 September 2020 map/index.html (Access date 2 November 2020).
https://www.iiss.org/blogs/research-paper/2020/09/covid-19- 24 Necati Çıtak, ibid.
reduced-chances-of-achieving-sdgs (Access date 2 November 25 Marko Hakovirta ve Navodya Denuwara, “How COVID-19
2020).
Redefines the Concept of Sustainability”, Sustainability, Vol 12,
22COVID-19: Are children able to continue learning during No 9, https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/9/3727 (Access date
school closures?, UNICEF, https://data.unicef.org/resources/ 2 November 2020).
remote-learning-reachability-factsheet/ (Access date 2 26 Explainer How COVID-19 Impacts Women and Girls, UN
November 2020).
Women, https://interactive.unwomen.org/multimedia/explainer/
covid19/en/index.html (Access date 2 November 2020).

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Globalization and Sustainable Development

over will be women. 27 With the closure of schools, unintentionally because they cannot access reproductive
UNESCO estimates that 89% of students (including health services. This will result in an increase in
universities) worldwide were dismissed from school.28 If population and exacerbate economic and ecological
this process continues, it is easy to predict that marrying problems.31
girls who cannot attend school, being exposed to
From the beginning of the pandemic, discussions about
domestic violence, and undertaking domestic care
protecting the planet, prohibiting the trade of wild and
services will multiply exponentially.
exotic animals, placing greater importance and attention
According to UN data, 70% of those working in the field to distributing renewable energy sources were
of healthcare are women. 29 Therefore, when we talk prioritized as necessary steps for environmental
about the problems experienced by those who fight protection under SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy,
against the pandemic on the front lines, it is crucial to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13:
emphasize women's extra burden. In some countries, Climate Action, SDG 14: Life below Water, and SDG 15:
temporary accommodation was provided for healthcare Life on Land. In the first months of the pandemic,
workers to prevent the risk of carrying the virus to their especially when economic activities were paused, we
homes. However, the majority of female healthcare observed a reduction in air and water pollution. The
workers did not enjoy this opportunity, since they were silence due to curfews allowed us to hear birds in the
the primary caretakers of their homes, and it became mornings, even in big metropolises. We enjoyed a cleaner
complicated for them to balance home and work life. 30
sky and environment. In particular, the difficulty of life
restricted in small apartments reminded us how much we
As most of the funds allocated to healthcare have been
need green spaces within cities. In this context, a new
directed to fight the pandemic, restrictions were
imagination of public spaces at both the local and
imposed on funds allocated for family planning and
national levels have emerged following SDG 11:
reproductive health. Thus, women benefited less from
Sustainable Cities and Communities. Although the
health services worldwide. According to the UN
efficient use of land is one of the keys to sustainable land
Population Fund projections, it is estimated that over 47
use, in 59% of all cities, the amount of space consumed
million women in 144 countries will get pregnant
for each new house has been increasing.32 With COVID-

27 Meltem Ağduk, Global Academy Talks, 15 October 2020 30 Aslı E. Mert, “COVID-19 Salgını Sürecinde Farklı Yönleriyle
http://www.uikglobalacademy.com/tr/podcasts/. Kadınların Durumu”, KOÇKAM Blog, 30 Mart 2020,
28 Covid-19 school closures around the world will hit girls hardest, https://kockam.ku.edu.tr/covid-19-salgini-surecinde-farkli-
UNESCO, https://en.unesco.org/news/covid-19-school- yonleriyle-kadinlarin-durumu-asli-e-mert/ (Access date 2
closures-around-world-will-hit-girls-hardest (Access date 2 November 2020).
November 2020). 31 Meltem Ağduk, Global Academy Talks, 15 October 2020

29 Mathieu Boniol et al, “Gender equity in the health workforce: http://www.uikglobalacademy.com/tr/podcasts/.

Analysis of 104 countries”, Health Workforce Working Paper 1, 32 Gül Sayan Atanur, “COVID 19 ve Neden Evinizin Yanındaki

2019 https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/311314/ Bahçeye İhtiyacınız Var?”, Türkiye Sağlıklı Kentler Birliği,

WHO-HIS-HWF-Gender-WP1-2019.1-eng.pdf (Access date 2 http://www.skb.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/COVID-19-
November 2020). ve-Neden-Evinizin-Yanindaki-Bahceye-Ihtiyaciniz-Var-Doc.-
Dr.Gul-Sayan-Atanur.pdf (Access date 2 November 2020).

8
Global Academy Talks, No. 4, November 2020

19, it has become clear that we need to rethink the shows us that economic priorities are still more
quality and quantity of urban housing. important than environmental priorities.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, greenhouse gas Finally, the pandemic also negatively affected the SDGs
emission levels have decreased by 8,8%. 33 The main that include concepts of social sustainability such as
factor behind this decrease is pandemic-related inclusiveness and democratic governance (See SDG 10:
restrictions on transportation activities. This decrease Reducing Inequalities and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and
has also had a significant impact on energy markets. Strong Institutions). Facing a serious threat to their
Global energy demand decreased by 3,8% in the first health and wellbeing, people expect effective and
quarter of 2020.34 It is expected that greenhouse gas efficient policies from their governments. Particularly in
emissions will decrease by 5% by the end of 2020.35 developing countries, access to health services has
After the pandemic, optimists expect a decrease in the become more difficult with the pandemic. Thus, the gap
demand for fossil fuels in favor of environment-friendly between the rich and poor in terms of accessing
energy resources, accelerating a global level of low- healthcare services has become more visible, and the
carbon energy transformation. However, we have already targets in the scope of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-
observed that our old habits have returned with the being have been significantly undermined. During the
easing of restrictions. On the other hand, critics of pandemic, societies and individuals have come to expect
renewable energy sources note the environmental to quickly and effectively ensure the delivery of social
damage caused by the mining activities required for wind assistance and services, but this expectation paves the
turbines or the production of batteries for solar panels.36 way for the normalization of anti-democratic practices
According to IPSOS MORI, public opinion is optimistic rather than consensus and negotiation. The rise of
about implementing policies to prevent climate change populist discourses and anti-democratic practices reveal
worldwide.37 However, during the pandemic, states have that autocratic tendencies have strengthened during the
focused on their health and economic crises rather than pandemic.
environmental issues. The declines that we have
observed in greenhouse gas emissions also began to rise Steps for a Sustainable Future
again as soon as economic activities accelerated. This
To reach the SDGs, especially in the transition to a green
economy, we need to consider alternative financial

33 A. Cem Gündoğan, Global Academy Talks, 15 October 2020 https://www.forbes.com/sites/tilakdoshi/2020/08/28/post-covid-

http://www.uikglobalacademy.com/tr/podcasts/. 19-sustainable-development-means-little-in-precision-or-
34 Hal Brands ve Francis J. Gavin, COVID-19 and World Order, practice/?sh=98e0e4c487b6 (Access date 2 November 2020).
John Hopkins University Press, 2020, p. 137. 37 Walter Leal Filho et al, “COVID-19 and the UN Sustainable
35 World Energy Outlook 2020, https://www.iea.org/reports/ Development Goals: Threat to Solidarity or an Opportunity?”,
world-energy-outlook-2020/overview-and-key-findings#abstract Sustainability, Vol 12, No 13, https://www.mdpi.com/2071-
(Access date 2 November 2020). 1050/12/13/5343 (Access date 2 November 2020).
36 Tilak Doshi, “Post-Covid-19 ‘Sustainable Development’ Means

Little In Precision or Practice”, Forbes, 28 August 2020,

9
Globalization and Sustainable Development

models such as environmental taxes, subsidies applied in extra attention should be given to global solidarity,
the energy sector, and other related financial reforms. shared responsibility, and more inclusive policies
However, the pandemic has prompted some to suggest towards societies' vulnerable sections.40 It is also agreed
that the SDGs be reviewed38, as financial resources were that there is a need for a multi speed institutionalized
directed to pandemic-related support programs at the structures that are integrated with civil society at
expense of funding the transition to a green economy. national and international levels.41
Due to this disconnect, many economies will move away
Besides creating environment-friendly economies,
from the SDGs. On the other hand, others consider
another vital factor in achieving the SDGs is to increase
COVID-19 an opportunity and oppose the revision of the
green employment opportunities, which will help
SDGs.39
governments to reduce poverty and achieve the targets
Among those who view the pandemic as an opportunity, under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and
Ottersen and Engebretsen recommend new approaches SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. In this
to thinking about the global governance system, namely framework, it is recommended to develop a production
to rebuild the system to protect future generations system that preserves the ecological base necessary for
against wars and pandemics. In this framework, development and an economic system that can provide
organizations such as the WHO should be strengthened, sustainable surplus and technical knowledge. 42 During
and the SDGs' spirit should improve universal health the pandemic, digital technologies have gained
policies. prominence and become an inseparable part of business
life. The digital economy should be considered within the
Agenda 2030 is based on non-binding guiding principles.
framework of SDGs 8 and 9, in line with the employment
The pandemic shows us that in times of crisis, states can
opportunities generated by uninterrupted audio and
easily ignore such principles. It is thus clear that we need
video broadcasting over the Internet, videoconferences,
principles that reinforce multilateralism. However, of
and e-commerce. It is expected that developments in
course, those who should accept multilateralism also
these areas will continue after the pandemic.
prefer unilateral actions during the pandemic. Thus, it is
a complicated task, to say the least, for international In order to improve global cooperation and get closer to
organizations to reinforce multilateralism. the SDGs, the 2020 Sustainable Development Report
recommended greater visibility of exemplary practices,
A quick reading of the literature on the nexus between
strengthening financial mechanisms for developing
COVID-19 and sustainability highlights the primacy of
countries, paying particular attention to hunger and
creating more resilient and more robust societies. Thus,

38 Robin Nadioo ve Brendan Fisher, “Reset Sustainable 9 October 2020 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-

Development Goals for a pandemic World”, Nature, Vol 583, 1094-y (Access date 2 November 2020).
2020, p. 198-201 https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020- 40 Manuar Mukarram, “ibid. p.257.
01999-x (Access date 2 November 2020). 41 Francisco Santos-Carrillo et al, ibid.
39 Ole P. Ottersen ve Eivind Engebretsen, “COVID-19 puts the
42 Muhammed Yunus Bilgili, ibid. p. 562.
Sustainable Development Goals center stage”, Nature Medicine,

10
Global Academy Talks, No. 4, November 2020

poverty, ensuring social inclusiveness, and supporting the virus. The scarcity of green areas, the high population
the development of new drugs and vaccines. These 43
density, and the limited access to healthcare systems
recommendations again underscores that healthcare is a have revealed the depth of the inequalities between the
crucial component of the SDGs, along with the economy, classes. Creating sustainable cities at the local and
environment, and society. As stated by Demiralp, it is national levels is crucial. In this context, SDG 11:
impossible to achieve economic development when the Sustainable Cities and Communities contains the
health problem is not under control.44 following targets: ensuring access to adequate, safe, and
affordable housing and essential services; strengthening
Another suggestion offered for the success of the SDGs
capacity for improving slums; and planning and
is to move towards cost-effective policies that increase
managing participatory, integrated, and sustainable
economic activities, create employment, reduce poverty,
human settlements, especially for disadvantaged groups.
protect the environment and bring outcomes in the field
To ensure universal access to safe, inclusive, and
of health in order to create synergy between the SDGs.
accessible green spaces and public spaces, new
Barbier and Burgess provide 3 examples of such
cooperation mechanisms are included in the agendas of
synergetic policies; granting incentives to move from
international organizations. Furthermore, it is essential
fossil fuels to clean energy investments, developing
to use existing cooperation mechanisms between
countries using incentive swaps for clean water and
municipalities, states, and international organizations at
sanitation investments and introducing a tropical carbon
local, national, and international levels effectively and to
tax.45 It is also underlined that the green elements in
ensure financial mobilization. As Algan underlines, it is
states' incentive packages are insufficient within the
necessary to consider cities as ecosystems and
scope of combating the pandemic. It is crucial, therefore,
implement policies to protect urban biological diversity.47
to design incentive packages that include green
Such mechanisms require active governance models that
elements but are tailored to the unique conditions of each
account for the interplay between local and international
state.46
levels. Considering that today's political tendencies are
One of the goals emphasized by COVID-19, and closely towards populist and anti-democratic governance
related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, was SDG models, it is very important to take steps in this field in
11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Economically order for the SDGs to be successful, although these
disadvantaged individuals live in overcrowded residences
and neighborhoods, which are more prone to spreading

43 Sachs, J., Schmidt-Traub, G., Kroll, C., Lafortune, G., Fuller, 2020 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S03057
G., Woelm, F. 2020. The Sustainable Development Goals and 50X20302084?via%3Dihub (Access date 2 November 2020).
COVID-19. Sustainable Development Report 2020. Cambridge: 46 A. Cem Gündoğan, Global Academy Talks, 15 October 2020
Cambridge University Press. http://www.uikglobalacademy.com/tr/podcasts/.
44 Selva Demiralp, Global Academy Talks, 15 October 2020 47 Nesrin Algan, Global Academy Talks, 15 October 2020,
http://www.uikglobalacademy.com/tr/podcasts/. http://www.uikglobalacademy.com/tr/podcasts/.
45 Edward B. Barbier ve Joanne C. Burgess, “Sustainability and

development after COVID 19” , World Development, Vol 135,

11
Globalization and Sustainable Development

mechanisms are considered difficult to function and

accept.

Lastly, for full-fledged sustainable development, the

concept of social sustainability should be integrated into
economic, financial, and ecological principles. Social
sustainability ensures equality, diversity, and democratic
governance principles and increases societies' resilience
against external shocks. For this reason, cooperation
with civil society at local, national, and international
levels and participatory governance practices are crucial
for transforming human behavior on a global scale.

12
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