Need for sustainable development awards

Need for sustainable development awards The second edition of the Sustainable Development Awards was launched on 7 July 2017 as a joint initiative of the Sustainable Development Advisory Council (SDAC), the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation Climate Project.

Malan Lindeque (ML), chairperson of the SDAC, provided some background to the council and awards.



What is the mandate of the SDAC and how do the Sustainable Development Awards fit with this mandate?

ML: The council serves to advise the minister of environment and tourism and broader government on pertinent matters for sustainable development and to promote cooperation and coordination between all stakeholders on such matters. The awards contribute to this mandate by bringing together and recognising different sectors of society active in promoting sustainable development across the country.



How is the membership of the council composed?

ML: The council consists of a balanced mix of representatives from the state, civil society and private sector. The council is a high-level body and the members possess experience and expertise on a range of sustainable development issues including environmental management, development and land-use planning, mining, fisheries, tourism, agriculture, research, poverty, trade and economics.



What have been some of the achievements of the council so far?

ML: The council has thus far held a series of working sessions with key stakeholders and provided guidance on identified priority issues including sustainable energy, biosafety, the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the environmental impact assessment process, disaster preparedness, tourism, water security and fisheries management.

The council has participated actively in the domestication of the SDGs and the African Union Agenda 2063, has held a mutual exchange with the German Council and is participating in the Open SDGs Club with other equivalent councils from different countries. The council has also engaged with the private sector on issues of recycling, mining and desalination. It has overseen the review of Namibia's State of the Environment Report and is currently preparing a first State of Environment Conference.



Where did the idea for the Sustainable Development Awards come from?

ML: The idea emerged from a discussion between the council and the EIF in July 2013. It was borne out of the feeling that there is a lot of good work being done in the field of sustainable development but that these initiatives are not well-known or appreciated. These awards thus seek to recognize and reward these initiatives as a means to also inspire others to action.



What are your expectations for the awards?

ML: We are working hard to build up the awards and to ensure that they become a biennial feature on the Namibian calendar. In this regard, I would like to thank the sponsors that have come on board to support this year's event. We look forward to working with you this year and hopefully for future editions.

This year I am expecting a bigger, better and very competitive awards. I am excited that we have also this year reached out with categories for small and medium enterprises and start-up companies as well as youth groups. These sectors will be important drivers of sustainable development moving forward and deserve to be recognised.

So with this in mind, I encourage all interested stakeholders to submit your entry by Monday, 14 August 2017.

STAFF REPORTER