subject: Sustainable Development Plans - Czech Republic and Malta [print this page] Sustainable Development Plans - Czech Republic and Malta
Sustainable development denotes the framework set aside as a guideline towards achieving development in various sectors by countries. This idea was incorporated into development by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987. It is development that has the capacity of meeting the needs of a country at the moment and gives an assurance of meeting the needs of the same country but not compromising the present for the future. Sustainable development should be able to meet the three pillars of development: social, economic and protection of the environment.
Czech Republic
Czech strategy has a framework of attaining sustainable development from 2030 and later years. The plan is geared towards providing quality life for the current generation as well as future generations. It has also put a focus on promoting the recycling of materials to avoid wastage. Protection of natural resources, and promotion of food security, plays a role in the establishment of global sustainable development. It is one of its targets to cut down on unemployment and to promote education in the society. The goals addressed by this government in sustainable development are largely categorized in three fundamental pillars: Economic, Social and Environmental sustainable development (Prague, 2004).
The strategic goal is aimed at maintaining the Czech economy and protect it from any external and internal effects. To achieve this, there is need to put into consideration such measures as coming up with conducive conditions. The conditions will ultimately, promote macroeconomic sustenance in conjunction with Czech National Bank thus help curb any unpredicted calamities like floods and even rapid rise in prices. It also aimes at stabilizing taxes basing on the wages by 2006 (Prague, 2004). There is also a focus on promotion of the transport system throughout Czech. In addition, it stresses the need to use alternative transport like bicycle which is environmentally friendly. It looks into promotion of organic farming thus cutting down on cost and help in environmental conservation. In addition, it looks into use of non harmful technology in the agricultural and industrial sector. Employment is also a key factor that is considered and so to reduce unemployment rates; it looks into provision of proper education to all people. The current strategy again puts more emphasis on the need for utilization of the local resources. The government then calls for recycling of materials to help cut down on unnecessary cost. It also emphasizes on reduction of unnecessary wastes of materials. It looks into efficiency in the utilization of energy. The government also focuses on the investment in human capital by encouraging innovation in the economic sector. It had a goal of attaining sustainability of quality air between 2005 and 2009. Water protection is also given the same deadline (Prague, 2004). To achieve these goals the government funds its programs as well as receiving aid from NGO'S and other non governmental bodies. For example, through ISPA, (Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession) and SAPARD, (The Special Accession Program for Agriculture and Rural Development). The later looks into rural improvement strategies and agriculture. On the other hand, ISPA looks into transport and the ecological issues. ISPA gets its funds from Cohesion Funds, it also obtain help from European Union to aid in these strategies. The European Regional Development Fund has also assisted in the ministry of Transport and environmental based strategies. It provides funds for renovation of infrastructure and provides educational campaigns on the environmental conservation. Some of these strategies involve promoting infrastructure development. European Social Fund also helps in funding the education sector together with the strategies in the social sector. This body has been doing so since 1960. It plays its role while mainly focusing on the youth and curbing of unemployment by providing youth funds thus enable youth to come up with businesses. It also promotes education for all by giving out bursaries to the socially disadvantaged.
Malta
Malta as a government has put in place a strategy toward sustainable development within the period of 2004 to 2009. The initiative set in Malta, was done thought the establishment of National Commission for sustainable Development (Rodgers et al, 2009). The strategy unlike the one for Czech addresses four main areas: the environment, the economy, promoting sustainable communities, and cross-cutting strategic issues. Under the management of the environment, it addresses such items as water, nature, quality of air, land use, and transport among others. Just like in Czech, the strategy stipulates that the air should be good for consumption. The same good quality of air should be able to sustain animal and plant life with no negative effect. The ozone layer should be protected by all means by avoiding any activity that might harm it. It is reported that much of air pollutants are emissions from the green house. This has led to air pollution by lead, sulphur and even nitrogen. Betterment of electricity production, conservation of energy by the consumers is emphasized. Just like Czech, new technologies ought to be taken into consideration, for instance, the use of catalytic converters. As compared to Czech, on the side of water the strategy stipulates that there is need to protect water as a resource which ultimately promotes good health in human. It is encouraged to consider protection of natural water bodies in the ecosystem. On the side of coastal marine, its strategies involve establishing of an explicit plan overlooking the marine area. This is funded by Maritime Organization. A waste strategy was put in place in 2001 which emphasized on the reduction of waste and for materials that can be recycled, they are should be done so. The time limit for this achievement was 2005 (Briguglio et al, 2004). The government has then established a "Progett Skart:" to oversee its achievement. There are educational programs to the public to promote good practice of waste disposal. This is aimed at home, industries and also schools among other relevant institutions. Sewage Master Plan for Malta and Gozo has been established to oversee the disposal of liquid wastes. Local councils are also established with an aim of helping oversee collection of wastes. Like in Czech, strategies involve protection of countryside by practicing of non harmful agriculture. Measures are put in place to enable the tourism sector to respect the environment.
