Sustainable development cannot be an end in itself

It must be viewed as a means for radical, irreversible socio-economic transformation that redefines the lives of the marginalised and excluded

- Arthur Mutambara

Book alert: Sustainable development cannot treat the twin crises of general poverty and energy poverty as afterthoughts, says the author.

Now that two major global conferences, the G20 and COP30, have just concluded, we must explain and critique a recurring theme in both events: Sustainable Development.

At the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg, global leaders articulated a renewed vision for sustainable development amid increasing climate and economic pressures, emphasising equity, resilience, and finance as key pillars of progress. The G20’s Johannesburg Declaration, adopted on 23 November despite geopolitical tensions, including a US boycott, committed to “building a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable global economy”.

Complementing this, COP30’s Belém Political Package, finalised on 22 November after extended negotiations, advanced adaptation by calling for "triple adaptation finance by 2035” to protect vulnerable communities, while launching the Tropical Forest Forever Facility to safeguard biodiversity-dependent livelihoods and pledging increased support for clean energy transitions that prioritise workers and Indigenous rights. UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised these progressions, noting that COP30 "has delivered progress” in integrating climate action into sustainable development.

What is sustainable development?

It constitutes socioeconomic progress that demands acute attention to the environment and climate change. According to the United Nations, sustainable development is global progress “that seeks to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” It encompasses a broad range of activities and principles to promote the long-term health and stability of the environment, society, and economy. Sustainability initiatives include effective resource management, climate change adaptation and mitigation.