Harsh semester for sustainability2 min read
One of the hardest semesters in recent times is about to end.
We started the year with the new COVID-19 variants and got even worse with the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
Inflation has been a constant presence that has haunted us this far.
As always in times of great turbulence, the goals defined in quieter times are revised or even abandoned.
It is no less on the sustainability front.
ESG is not at the top of the global agenda
Since sustainability became a priority for the world and a buzzword for many, there has never been such widespread relaxation (or at least media attention).
Think for example of the (with difficulty) supply of oil and gas from Russia.
To resort to remedies, some countries have decided to reignite coal plants.
What happened to the commitments to reduce CO2 emissions? And to the energy transition?
We weren’t ready yet.
Luckily we were facing the warm months.
But what to do in Autumn when the cold season is upon us?
Re-ignite all coal-fired power plants? Use nuclear power (where available and possible)?
The fact is that we are in a very difficult period.
It is clear that sustainability cannot take a back seat. But the fact is that at the first hitch, this was the sacrificial lamb.
We also look at the 17 UN SDGs.
If SDG 16 is the one that suffers the most (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), it cannot be said that the others are faring better.
- Blockage of wheat and other foodstuffs? SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
- Energy shock? SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
- Inflation? SDG 1 (No Poverty)
- Macro-economic instability? There is no time to commit to these issues. SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals)
And you could go on with each of the goals.
What discourages the most is the difficulty, already under normal conditions, of achieving these objectives.
We do not, therefore, want to say that sustainability will also be overshadowed in the months to come, but it must make us reflect.
Let’s put it among the main priorities in periods of stability in all our choices and it will surely pay off in the long run.
Featured image by Miikka Luotio on Unsplash
