Introduction to sustainable development

Sustainable Development

Each of the emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates is subject to rule from its own sheiks. The largest emirate, Abu Dhabi, has set forth a sustainable development plan known as Masdar. The emirate has the stated goal of leading the world in sustainable development, with a goal of completion by 2030.

Masdar has no plan for fiscal problems -- funded with oil revenue, the emirate does not anticipate having financial difficulty for the next several decades. No external sources from international agencies will be required. One of the major issues with respect to poverty and employment that Masdar hopes to address is that of youth unemployment. Abu Dhabi youth suffer high unemployment because they are unwilling to do bottom-end jobs but there are not enough high-end jobs for them. Part of Masdar involves the creation of new universities, including the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, in order to better educate the Abu Dhabi youth so that they can become more engaged in their own careers and job creation strategies.

Masdar addresses resource needs in two ways. The program is designed to transition Abu Dhabi from fossil fuel dependence to use of alternate forms of power, especially the region's abundant solar and wind power. Water resources are a critical issue for the emirate already. Current water resources come from underground reservoirs, and there are no plans to change this. It should be noted, however, that unlike neighboring Dubai, Abu Dhabi is not focusing its development on golf courses, indoor ski hills and other unsustainable, water-wasting tourism ventures.

Another emerging nation with a strong sustainability plan is Costa Rica. The Central American nation has long incorporated sustainable development principles in its decision-making. Costa Rica's strategy for land use has included the creation of multiple parks to help build an ecotourism industry. The nation still has issues, however, with land use with respect to clearing unprotected forests for agriculture development.

Costa Rica has financed its plans largely by restructuring its external debt. The nation was able in doing this to set aside the funds required to pursue its sustainability development. This has been augmented by assistance from organizations such as the IMF and grants from the World Bank.

Part of Costa Rica's employment strategy is to build the ecotourism business, which provides higher level employment. Costa Rica also seeks to develop its agriculture in a sustainable fashion, with small farms wherein the owner keeps the profits. Land resources are also used to boost the pharmaceutical industry, with sustainable harvesting of key plant species. Costa Rica has battled carbon pollution by instituting taxes on vehicles and purchased carbon from Norway.