Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Sustainable
Development
epa 21
A Simple Guide to
2010
PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
All rights reserved. Any part of this booklet may be used and reproduced,
provided proper acknowledgement is made.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
Contents
Zeroing in on Sustainability 4
How it Began......5
Missing the Point......6
Getting the Point......8
What, then, is Unsustainable Development?......10
The Vision and Goals of SD......11
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
Zeroing in on
Sustainability
Zeroing in on
Sustainability
Although sustainable development (SD) became a
concept decades ago, common misconceptions about it
still exist. This guide addresses these misconceptions and
sheds light on the underpinning principle behind SD: it is
not only about conserving the environment. Ultimately, it
is a holistic means of ensuring that all sectors of society,
across generations, benefit from all forms of development
undertakings at present and in the future.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
How it Began
Development is a concept as old as the human race. Throughout history,
mans unique ability to creatively use the things around him in order to
innovate and survive in an otherwise hostile environment gave rise to
civilizations and the modern world. Mans continuous quest for a better life
using the earths finite resources has taken its toll and, if left unchecked,
could pose a threat to the very survival not only of the human race, but of the
very planet that nurtured it.
The following traces the roots of sustainable development (SD) amidst the
unending quest to exceed the present levels of development and rapidly
attain a better quality of life.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
The Philippines was one of the first countries to respond to the call for
SD, through its establishment of the Philippine Council for Sustainable
Development (PCSD). The Council was tasked to ensure the implementation
of Agenda 21 through policy formulation and program development
which gave birth to the Philippine Agenda 21, the countrys blueprint for
sustainable development.
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environmentally responsive development programs.
Considering the impact of any development effort
on the environment is just one dimension of SD.
Behind this consideration is the recognition that
environmental issues are connected with other
developmental concerns such as poverty, social and
political marginalization and unsound development
planning. SD is not merely focused on specialized
environment-oriented development programs.
Instead, it follows a systematic approach that equally
addresses not only the effects but the root causes of
developmental problems.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
2
Myth: Sustainable development is a new concept.
While the SD concept was formalized through
the Brendthland Report of 1987, the foundations
of SD have already been manifest even during
the time of our ancestors, Their way of life and
belief system revolved around respect for nature
and the sharing of its benefits, a solid sense of
community especially among indigenous peoples
and strong spiritual awareness. Sustainable
development, therefore, while recently
articulated, is inherently part of the Filipinos
positive values and traditions. Promoting SD is
also a means of preserving our cultural values,
traditions and practices.
Myth: Sustainable development is merely a set of
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new, specialized programs or projects
SD is not about putting together new projects
aimed at generating additional funds. Rather,
it provides the means to look at the whole
development arena in an integrated and
systematic way by assessing the present
situation, analyzing issues, and then considering
the best possible solution to development
problems.
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and conferences such as the Rio Earth Summit.
The governments commitment to SD goes
beyond compliance with international
agreements. Instead, the very basis of this
commitment is its objective of providing an
improved quality of life for the present and
future generations.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
SD is MULTI-DIMENSIONAL
The countrys sustainable development blueprint, the Enhanced
Philippine Agenda 21 or EPA 21, is based on the basic aspects of
life: economic, social, and environmental which also comprise the
three pillars of development. In addition, EPA 21 also considers the
moral, spiritual, cultural and political dimensions of daily life that
can affect development.
SD is LONG-TERM
As a holistic approach to development, SD takes the long-term view.
Painful lessons have proved that resources are limited and that
there is a price to pay for continually exploiting these resources.
Most of our actions today will have an impact on the environment
years or even decades from now. Sustainable development is
concerned with the welfare and interests not only of the present
population but also of the generations to come.
SD is EQUITABLE
It is anchored on the value of sharing the benefits of development
equitably among all sectors of society (intra-generational equity)
and across generations (inter-generational equity). It prefers long-
term benefits rather than immediate and short term (inter-temporal
equity), with human development at its core, in order to achieve the
desired state - good quality of life for all.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
SD is A PARADIGM SHIFT
It redefines development in such a way that the path towards
national growth would lead to a better quality of life for all. No sector
of society is left behind and no generations wellbeing is sacrificed
in the name of development.
SD is A PHILOSOPHY
It is a set of beliefs, value system and theoretical framework
that can guide the way a person goes about his daily life, how
a government delivers its services, and how the private sector
conducts its business.
SD is A DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
It prescribes a system of governance and approach to decision-
making. It advocates an integrated approach to planning, policy-
making, programming, and other development processes through
holistic decision-making. It requires synergy among the sectors,
through coordinated actions of the three main actors in SD
government, business, and civil society and involves forging creative
and collaborative partnerships among them.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
Deteriorating
A Weak Economy An Uncaring
Environmental Faulty Governance
Manifested Social
Condition Brought Characterized By:
By: System That:
About By:
Boom-bust economic Is unable to Misuse, abuse, Lack of political
cycles provide for the and disregard will to pursue
basic needs of for the genuine
Unmanaged budget
its population environments development,
deficits
carrying unjust political
Breeds social
High indebtedness and capacity structures,
tension and
trade imbalances massive
conflicts due to Pursuit of short-
Pursuit of specific corruption,
inequities term, personal
sectoral interests with patronage politics
interests by
Breeds social and political
substantial negative influential
ills such as dynasties
impacts on other segments of
drug addiction,
sectors society A generally
prostitution and
Serving the interest of sectoral
crime General apathy
a small segment of the orientation and
and failure
Erodes cultural lack of structures
population to accept
values for coordination
Suffering from instead environmental
Produces among the
of enjoying the benefits protection as
a general various sectors,
of globalization a personal
feeling of that negate
issue and
Widening gap between discontent and welfare gains
responsibility
the rich and the poor helplessness Highly centralized
Failure to
Displacement of people among its structures for
recognize
from their sources of people decision making
the spiritual
livelihood and cultural connection of General lack of
roots man with his transparency and
Marginalization and environment accountability
exclusion of some among
sectors of society institutions
from the benefits of
development
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
Vision and
Goals of
Vision and SD
Goals of SD
Sustainable development seeks to build a
cohesive society working towards the greater
good for all.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
Goals of SD
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A responsive, accountable and transparent
government that promotes an inclusive
development process, and guides every
Filipino towards informed choices and
actions.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
Making SD Workable
in the Philippine
Contcxt
Making SD Workable
in the Philippine
Context Sustainable development indicators serve
to assess progress in the pursuit of SD. These
are based on ecological, economic, political,
cultural, technological, social, and institutional
parameters backed by SD principles.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
SD in Action
Despite its complexities, several success stories on SD in action have been
observed throughout the country. These positive experiences of several
communities prove that SD is possible with the collective and proactive
action among the stakeholders guided by a common goal.
On CHEMICALS
Phase out of mercury in health care
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
On MINING
Philex Mining Corp. Community and Stakeholder
Engagement
These efforts proved not only beneficial to the company businesswise but also
made a positive development impact on the community as a whole. It improved
the companys credibility within the host and neighbouring communities by
addressing not only the issues the company was facing but also the issues
of the communities affected by their operations. The company conducted
an objective scanning of the social and physical environment and gathered
accurate information to guide their decision making. Some of the benefits felt
by the communities are: increase in annual income of residents; awareness
and participation of different sectors in local governance and decision- making;
improvement in the recognition and respect for workers rights; decrease in crime
rates due to available employment; and enhanced environmental awareness,
among others.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
On EDUCATION
Dark Green School Program (DGS)
The DGS went through a pilot phase from November 2007 to February 2009.
The experience has shown that the program has great potential to accelerate
environmental education in the Philippines. EENP intends to work for the
programs institutionalization by CHED.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
In 2001, the Local Government of Los Banos started the Waste Segregation
Program that called for the following: a) strict enforcement of the waste
segregation scheme; implementation of a collection schedule for biodegradable
and non-biodegradable wastes; and imposition of a ban on the use of plastic
bags, styrofoam and disposable plates and cutlery in restaurants, fast food
chains, and stores, along with the penalties for non-compliance. The local
government organized the participation of citizen volunteers, barangay officials,
UP Police Force, civic organizations, government employees, and any legitimate
Los Baos residents for the formation of the Anti Litter Task Force.
Over the years, the program succeeded in converting the municipalitys open
dumpsite into an Ecological Waste Processing Center (EWPC), where different
types of waste are processed into recyclable materials. A pressing machine for
cans and plastic was built using salvaged steel from a dismantled bridge and
hydraulic rams from junked dump trucks. Biodegradable waste are composted
and sent to farmers for use on their farms and plastic wastes are recycled into
chairs.
The program supported the conversion of waste pickers, waste buyers, and waste
scavengers into a peoples organization, now recognized as the Los Baos Solid
Waste Organization (LB-SWO) which currently serve as the towns partner in solid
waste management. Various organizations such as the Solid Waste Management
Board, the Task Force Kalinisan, and the Deputized Volunteer Enforcers from
various sectors were also organized to support the program. It instilled among
its constituents the importance of avoiding the use of plastics and other non-
biodegradable packaging materials and replacing these with reusable
biodegradable items. The success of the towns solid waste management
program was the result of a series of dialogues and consultations, massive IEC
campaigns to get the support of the community coupled with a strong political will
of local leaders.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
Systems Orientation
The pursuit of SD involves broad-based change. It is, in effect, a comprehensive
governance reform initiative. Therefore, the EPA 21 Action Agenda was devised
through a systems perspective, taking into account the elements of change
management structure, technology, and people. Interventions in the Action
Agenda will delve into these three aspects with a reform measure incorporating
institutional change, process change, and behavioral change.
The journey towards SD requires both a transition and a paradigm shift. While
there is an urgency to address unsustainable development patterns, SD is
a difficult task that cannot happen overnight. EPA 21s response to these
dilemmas is a two-pronged Action Agenda.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
Policy Imperatives
EPA 21 Action Agenda clustered policy directions into a smaller set of
imperatives to align it to the four goals of SD; highlighting the efficient use
of limited resources as against the magnitude of problems besetting our
country, and emphasizing the interconnectivity of the development goals and
outcomes.
The policy statements are not new but emerged in the course of addressing
present day challenges.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
C.
Protect 1. Protect the environment and promote
Ecological sustainable management of natural
Integrity resources by making sure that environmental
laws are enforced through collaborative
efforts of government, business and civil
society;
2. Promote the wider adoption of ecosystems
and communities as the basic units for
natural resource management;
3. Promote proper pricing and valuation of
resources through the wider application of
regulatory instruments;
4. Improve alternative livelihood opportunities
for sectors that have traditionally relied
on natural resources for their economic
survival;
5. Put in place constructive measures to
restore the degraded state of many natural
resources and prevent harm to protected
areas;
6. Harness the full potentials of S&T and
indigenous knowledge systems towards
more efficient resource use while managing
environmental problems with caution;
7. Popularize the view of environment as a
common heritage built into the Filipino way
of life, culture and traditions.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
D.
Institutionalize 1. Secure the highest political commitment
Good to SD as the governing framework for long-
Governance term development;
2. Establish a sound moral base for
governance by promoting the highest
standards of performance, accountability
and transparency in government,
business and civil society institutions;
3. Strengthen democratic institutions and
promote national unity by deepening the
culture of empowerment, devolution,
decentralization, meaningful participation,
inclusion, collaboration, and partnerships;
4. Promote better coordination among
political decision-makers through multi-
stakeholder mechanisms;
5. Strengthen local governance and develop
capacities of local institutions to deliver
SD;
6. Secure peace and order in every
community by improving law enforcement
and the administration of justice.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
Priority Themes
In the Philippine context, six SD concerns have been identified as
priority areas. These are:
1. Eradicating Poverty
Poverty is a central concern of SD. The
effects of environmental degradation
are felt more heavily by the poor, thereby
driving them into environmentally
destructive activities in the uplands and
coastal areas . However, poverty does not only mean the lack of economic
resources. Societies where economic poverty have largely been overcome
still does not experience overall wellbeing. Poverty is more than just lack of
income or material wealth but encompasses the social, cultural, ecological,
political, and spiritual dimensions of everyday life.
With this in mind, EPA 21 proposes the creation of: a) a favourable economic
environment that ensures sustained, broad-based, and ecologically sound
growth; b) improves employment, productivity and incomes; and c) attains
food security.
2. Managing Globalization
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
5. Maintaining Ecological
Integrity
The earths ecological carrying
capacity is stretched almost to its limit
and current efforts to address this
problemare not enough. Affected by
this issue is the production sector. It is therefore important for this sector to
carefully weigh its options to attain sustained, long-term growth. This can be
achieved through the following measures:
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
Strategic Reform
Directions
OVERALL To fully adopt, through a formal directive,
THRUST sustainable development as the
overarching framework and vision for
long-term development in the country.
The EPA 21 advocates a kind of development for and by the people, backed
by a set of values that emphasizes fair and just decision-making processes.
It offers an alternative development framework approach that seeks to
change the foundation of current development paradigm and the process
itself. For sustainable development to happen, its guiding principles need
to be integrated into all processes, projects, programs and decisions as the
ultimate guiding development framework.
Because of its systems orientation, the reforms are organized into key
elements of change: structure (genuine, participatory and multi-stakeholder
decision-making), technology (systems, processes, tools, methodologies,
policies, tasks) and people (behavior, skills, knowledge and value systems).
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
2. Ensure the use of various analytical and policy tools so that development
interventions coincide with the overarching framework of SD.
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
1. Ensure that education develops the full human potential. It should not
be confined to securing future employment for Filipinos, but giving them
opportunities to be productive and of service to Philippine society and
humanity as a whole:
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
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Understanding SD: A Simple Guide to EPA21
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