Uganda
The debate on ?sustainable consumption and production? reminds us of the old
debate on the policy of ?protection of infant industries? as a means of fostering
economic development in developing countries.
For decades this debate raged on until the new concept of globalization emerged
to render this policy obsolete. Now instead of protectionism, we are advocating
economic liberalization and full integration into the global economy ? a complete
turnaround.
In a similar manner, the new concept of sustainable consumption and production
is about development that goes hand-in-hand with environmental protection. By
implication this means selective or managed consumption. Not the kind of ?free
and unrestricted? consumption that enabled developed countries to achieve their
current level of industrialization. This inevitably requires developing countries to
control, limit or restrict consumption in the interest of environmental
sustainability.
Unfortunately, the reality today in the global marketplace (which we are trying to
integrate into) is based on increasing consumption. You have to increase
consumption as a means of achieving economic growth for poverty reduction. The
debate, therefore, is between increasing consumption on the one hand and
selectively restricting consumption on the other. Which way for developing
countries?
This has become a big policy dilemma for developing countries and indeed poses
a great challenge for this implementation cycle of the Commission on Sustainable
Development. It merits serious consideration of the Commission.
debate on the policy of ?protection of infant industries? as a means of fostering
economic development in developing countries.
For decades this debate raged on until the new concept of globalization emerged
to render this policy obsolete. Now instead of protectionism, we are advocating
economic liberalization and full integration into the global economy ? a complete
turnaround.
In a similar manner, the new concept of sustainable consumption and production
is about development that goes hand-in-hand with environmental protection. By
implication this means selective or managed consumption. Not the kind of ?free
and unrestricted? consumption that enabled developed countries to achieve their
current level of industrialization. This inevitably requires developing countries to
control, limit or restrict consumption in the interest of environmental
sustainability.
Unfortunately, the reality today in the global marketplace (which we are trying to
integrate into) is based on increasing consumption. You have to increase
consumption as a means of achieving economic growth for poverty reduction. The
debate, therefore, is between increasing consumption on the one hand and
selectively restricting consumption on the other. Which way for developing
countries?
This has become a big policy dilemma for developing countries and indeed poses
a great challenge for this implementation cycle of the Commission on Sustainable
Development. It merits serious consideration of the Commission.
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