The Role of the Government and MNCs in SDGs
Multinational agencies, like the UN, are instrumental in establishing and
accomplishing any international goal we set. This includes the SDGs. MNCs like
the UN hold a lot of power in this increasingly complex world, and without
them we are unable to solve any real problem in this world. Fortunately, they
have taken action in the form of projects and ventures, and by joining forces
with local and national governments around the world, achieving the SDGs
might be a goal within our reach.
Most MNCs and governments are already trying to accomplish the 17 SDGs,
which makes a big impact in our world. Examples of this are the Addis Abba
Action Agenda, the Global Gateway Strategy, and the Go Green Agenda. These
are just a few examples of the new ideas that are being implemented and
action that is being taken. In this globalised and connected world, the
aforementioned projects are only possible with the partnership of
governments and MNCs.
SDG 13 – Climate Action
SDG 13 is one of the most important SDGs, and one that we need to
accomplish urgently. If left unchecked, it can cause sea level rising and extreme
weather events which would lead to supply chains being disrupted, causing
economic collapse. That is why the governments of the UAE and UK are both
doing their utmost to achieve this SDG.
Local Government
Dubai
Aligned with Dubai government’s strategic plans, Dubai Municipality launched
its Green Building Regulations and Specifications (GBR&S) to be applied as
mandatory requirements for new construction in the Emirate. These
regulations have been mandated on government owned buildings since 2011
and on all new buildings in Dubai starting 2014. HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of
Dubai, launched the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 in November 2015,
which aims to make Dubai a global centre of clean energy and green economy.
It aims to provide 75% of the Emirate’s energy through clean energy sources by
2050. The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy has also formulated and launched
the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 in 2011, with the purpose of
diversifying sources of energy and increase the clean energy share. Dubai aims
to increase the share of clean energy to 29% and the Emirate’s energy demand
by 30% by 2030.
National Government
UAE
First, the UAE launched the ‘The Climate Project’ (2018), in cooperation with
the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the
International Renewable Energy Agency, the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Antigua & Barbuda and the renowned actor,
Robert De Niro. The initiative intends to raise awareness on climate change
and the importance of climate resilience, underpinned by a standard to
mainstream the consideration of climate resilience in the UAE’s foreign
development assistance, and will cover the entire AED 18.35 billion (USD 5
billion) UAE aid portfolio. Then they launched the ‘Climate Innovation
Exchange Forum’ (CLIX) at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (2018) to facilitate
the sourcing and funding of climate change solutions and technologies through
partnerships with youth, entrepreneurs, innovators and investors. After that,
they adopted the National Climate Change Plan 2050 by the UAE Cabinet
(2017). The plan is a comprehensive framework to support the transition to a
climate resilient green economy, while managing greenhouse gas emissions,
increasing climate adaptation capabilities, and engaging private sector and
other stakeholders to support the mitigation and adaptation efforts of the
government. And lastly, they launched the ‘National Climate Adaptation
Program’ (2017), to assess the climate adaptation potential of four key sectors
(health, energy, infrastructure, and environment) and outline the direct and
indirect climate related risks and the existing or possible actionable solutions
for adaptation to be further implemented. Subsequently, to facilitate climate
action to all relevant UAE stakeholders, the plan to develop a climate change
law was announced at the UAE Annual Government Meeting (2018).
UK
The UK has also been taking strong measures against climate change on a
national level. They have reduced their carbon emissions by 38% and is now
halfway to meeting net-zero emissions. They are implementing the
commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100
billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing
countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on
implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its
capitalization. They have also succeeded in improving education and
awareness on these topics, which is fundamental to sustaining the progress
they have made over the years to come.
Overall, both countries have done well and are continuing to excel at achieving
SDG 13 and working with MNCs and local governments to do so.
Sources
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/09/5-ways-multinationalcorporations-can-have-greater-impact-on-the-sdgs-sustainable-developmentgoals-mncs/
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https://www.igd.org.za/infocus/12033-global-governance-and-the-role-ofmultinational-companies-in-achieving-the-sustainable-development-goals
https://sdgdata.gov.uk/13/
https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal13
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