As we have just entered 2015, there must surely be consensual agreement that the true test for any government, entity or business is whether it is contributing to a just and sustainable world and a fairer society by using all the resources at its disposal.
While governments cannot absolve themselves of their responsibilities, the crucial and pivotal role of other stakeholders, including the private sector, cannot be downplayed.
This is especially since they happen to be the best placed change agents to come up with new ideas and creative approaches in addressing the need of a resource strapped but thoroughly connected and globalised world.
While it will be a gross mistake to treat the two milestones for sustainability – the launch of the new sustainable development goals (SDGs) in New York and the COP 21 climate summit in Paris, either lightly or else as mere tokenism, I agree with those who argue that waiting for national governments to agree is a fool’s game.
I equally support the view that there is and should be more to sustainability than 2015’s big global events.
By tracking the way businesses are engaging themselves in sustainability issues and reporting, the same way they had approached corporate social responsibility in the past and continue to do so, one should feel encouraged that an informal network of companies and civil society organisations are doing their best to apply innovation and creativity in their approach to sustainability.
Equally daunting and challenging is the goal of pursuing better governance, eco system restoration and the major shift towards sustainable consumption and production
This is why the whole debate about the circular economy cannot be sidelined or watered down.
The rise of the sharing economy and the circular economy have both helped reposition the international debate on sustainability.
Innovation has in its own way led to new forms of collaboration and the tapping of new delivery channels.
This is the whole scope of a shift towards a green economy.
It might have originally been perceived as a tool to help us tackle the economic and financial crisis that began in 2008 but today there seems to be widespread agreement both within the EU and beyond, that it is nothing short of a strategic way of delivering a fairer society that can and should not only improve resource efficiency, but also ensure eco system resilience and enhance social equity.
Since Italy took over the presidency of the EU midway last year, acceptance of the concept of a resource efficient green economy continued to gain momentum.
A snapshot approach is simply not on.
It must turn into a constantly evolving ongoing process that can ill afford to remain static.
Even were one to downplay or momentarily ignore the environmental merits and considerations, it must be recognised and acknowledged that such a modal shift has objectives that have their own primarily macro-economic dimensions.
This must be also reflected in EU strategies for international cooperation for development.
Eco innovation should not remain a buzz word.
On the contrary it must be considered as a primary enabling factor.
It might not bring along the necessary change on its own.
But on the other hand, technology-related change has always proved to be the best vehicle for change in many a process.
Many have long realised that there is a correlation between eco innovation adoption by firms and corporate companies and the resource efficiency performance of the countries in which they operate.
This should apply to both EU leading and laggard countries. And beyond.
It is for this reason that we must build from now on such enabling factors and policies.
I am confident that this year governments will agree to a new global development framework of a certain high degree of ambition.
After all, we already know the likely shape of the SDGs.
The important thing and the biggest challenge ahead will be to translate our wish lists into concrete action.
We can only do so if we manage to ensure that poverty is addressed radically the same way we need to reduce inequality not only between countries but also within them.
Equally daunting and challenging is the goal of pursuing better governance, eco system restoration and the major shift towards sustainable consumption and production.
That the goals are ambitious ones is not a subject for debate or discussion.
The core issue is what are we prepared to do to reach them.
The social development goals are far more ambitious than the millennium development goals that they will replace.
Common sense dictates that delivering them will be harder.
A transformation of the global economy can only materialise if we manage to try to close in on these high ideals by trying to make reality match our ambitions.
Leo Brincat is Environment Minister.