The Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs are a set of 17 goals geared toward solving various global problems resembling climate change, inequality, hunger, poverty, health and education. These goals were developed on the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio De Janeiro in 2015. Southeast Asian countries are committed to achieving the SDGs through several key initiatives. Here are some examples.
Thailand: Solar energy
Thailand is targeted on achieving two Sustainable Development Goals, that are SDG 7 on inexpensive and clean energy and SDG 13 on climate motion. Over the past few years, the Thai government has been actively pursuing renewable energy solutions, especially solar energy, under the AEDP, or Alternative Energy Development Plan, to extend the share of renewable energy.
By 2036, the Thai government goals to supply at the very least 30% of its total energy from renewable sources, especially solar energy, since sunlight is out there all 12 months round in Thailand. The country can also be actively promoting solar energy projects amongst local and small communities throughout Thailand to make them less and fewer depending on fossil fuels.
Singapore: Green Buildings
Singapore can also be specializing in SDGs 7 and 13, along with SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. This is smart because Singapore is an incredible pioneer and leader in sustainable urban development. The Construction Authority used and implemented the Green Mark program to alleviate the situation.
The Green Mark program would actively be sure that buildings across Singapore are certified as environmentally sustainable with energy, water and material efficiency. This initiative will promote green buildings which can be sustainable and energy efficient. Singapore’s goal is for at the very least 80% of buildings to be green and sustainable by 2030.
Indonesia: Reducing plastic waste
Indonesia is the world’s second largest producer of plastic waste after China. With an annual waste production of seven.8 million tonnes and only 10% of it recycled, Indonesia faces an enormous plastic waste problem. This is why Indonesia has chosen to deal with the Sustainable Development Goals that might address this problem, that are SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production and SDG 14 on life underwater.
One of the important thing programs launched by the Indonesian government is the National Action Plan to Reduce Plastic Waste, which goals to cut back the quantity of plastic waste by 70% by 2025. One of the programs is to lift awareness of the harmful impact of plastic waste and promoting reusable bag materials and recycling programs with the assistance of varied non-governmental organizations.
Philippines: Reducing the chance of natural disasters
The Philippines is liable to various natural disasters resembling earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and cyclones. That is why the country’s government focused on solving this problem by creating the NDRRMP, or National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. The Philippines focuses on two Sustainable Development Goals, that are SDG 13 on climate motion and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
Programs are created specifically to cut back the harmful and devastating effects of natural disasters by improving adaptation to ongoing climate change, increasing the preparedness of local communities and improving early warning systems. Moreover, the efforts also include constructing higher infrastructure that may withstand extreme weather events.
