15日由兩聯合國機構共同公佈的研究報告指出，埃及、秘魯、越南和蒙古等國家，為了實現2015年改善國內貧窮情況而提出許多改革計劃，環境議題則是改革計劃的核心。「環境永續性與經濟發展相互連接，兩者就能相輔相成，」報告中透過記錄158個國家的成果，來佐證這項結論。
此報告為聯合國開發計畫署(UNDP)和聯合國環境規畫署(UNEP)合作，匯整開發中國家朝「聯合國千禧年發展目標」實現過程所發表的報告。為了在2015年之前減緩貧困的情形，國際社會採用2000年9月發表的千禧年宣言，該宣言描繪出千禧年發展的目標。
千禧年發展八大目標的範圍從終止極度貧困到促成環境的永續發展，從終止愛滋病傳播到提供普遍的基礎教育，這些目標經由全世界的發展機構及政府認同，形塑出一份行動藍圖。在158個國家中，有85個國家已經設定至少一個國家特定環境目標，佔了54個百分比，是3年來最高的比例。
在埃及，保護環境是生態旅遊產業的優先考量，政府正積極監測與記錄水資源、廢棄物管理及土地侵蝕問題，以確保達到千禧年發展目標為目的，並設定相應的目標。
阿爾巴尼亞、不丹、賴索托、尼泊爾、敘利亞、泰國及越南，都是報告中做得不錯的國家。但是報告希望大家注意，除非是更多的國家能有更大的野心去保護大自然，否則整體的發展目標可能岌岌可危。
聯合國環境規畫署執行長史坦納(Achim Steiner)表示：「達成環境永續發展並不只是一個國家的因素，而是關乎國際性的重大考量。各國在環境主流與減少貧困及發展策略上，可以達成良好協議。」
史坦能指出，還需要更多努力使得計畫更完美。他說：「全國性的環境品質降低及環境永續發展的背道而馳，與全球化的貿易體制、經濟手段及喜好自然產品及服務的價值觀，習習相關。」
此報告標題為「環境永續發展：超過150個在千禧年發展目標下國家經驗的建議」可以線上觀看http://www.undp.org/energyandenvironment/index.html。
Egypt, Peru, Vietnam, and Mongolia are among the countries putting the environment at the core of their plans to cut poverty by 2015, according to a report issued Friday by two United Nations agencies. Environmental sustainability and economic development work best when they are linked, the report demonstrates by documenting progress in 158 countries.
The UN Development Programme, UNDP, in partnership with the UN Environment Programme, UNEP, compiled the report on the progress developing countries are making towards realization of the UN Millennium Development Goals. In an attempt to alleviate poverty by 2015, the international community adopted the Millennium Declaration in September 2000, which outlines the Millennium Development Goals.
The eight Goals - which range from halving extreme poverty to achieving environmental sustainability, from halting the spread of HIV/AIDS to providing universal primary education - form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s governments and development institutions. Of the 158 countries reviewed, 85 countries, 54 percent, have set at least one country specific environmental target - a greater proportion than in the previous three years.
In Egypt, where protecting the environment is a priority for the country’s eco-tourism industry, the government is monitoring and reporting progress on water access, waste management and land degradation, with a view to ensuring it understands what still needs to happen to reach the Millennium Development Goals, and sets targets accordingly.
Albania, Buthan, Lesotho, Nepal, Syria, Thailand and Vietnam were also cited among the leaders by the report. But unless more governments take more ambitious steps to protect the natural world, overall development goals will be jeopardized, the report cautions.
UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said, "Achievement of environmental sustainability is not only a national concern but one with significant international dimensions. Countries, by mainstreaming environment into poverty reduction and development strategies, can achieve a great deal."
But Steiner says more needs to be accomplished. "National environmental degradation, and conversely environmental sustainability, is also inextricably linked with trading regimes, economic instruments and the values placed on nature-based goods and services within a globalized world," he said.
The report, entitled "Making Progress on Environmental Sustainability: Lessons and recommendation from a review of over 150 MDG country experiences," is online at: http://www.undp.org/energyandenvironment/index.html
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
