Environmental trends threaten global progress for the poor, warns 2011 Human Development Report

Permanent Secretary in Prime Minister’s Office Mr Peniel Lyimo holds the 2011 Human Development Report after launching it in Dar es Salaam. He is flanked by the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Alberic Kacou.

The UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Alberic Kacou delivers his speech at the launch of the 2011 Human Development Report.

The Permanent Secretary in Prime Minister’s Office Mr Peniel Lyimo (right) and the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Alberic Kacou during the launch of the 2011 Human Development Report in Dar es Salaam.

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Development progress in the world’s poorest countries could be halted or even reversed by mid-century unless bold steps are taken now to slow climate change, prevent further environmental damage, and reduce deep inequalities within and among nations, according to projections in the 2011 Human Development Report, launched in Dar es Salaam today by Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office Mr Paniel Lyimo. 

The 2011 Report with a theme ‘Sustainability and Equity: A Better Future for All’ argues that environmental sustainability can be most fairly and effectively achieved by addressing health, education, income, and gender disparities together with the need for global action on energy production and ecosystem protection. 

As the world community prepares for the landmark UN Conference on Sustainable Development in June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, the Report argues that sustainability must be approached as a matter of basic social justice, for current and future generations alike. 

“Environmental sustainability is the greatest development challenge of the 21st century. Looking through the joint lens of sustainability and equitable development, the HDR shows how environmental degradation intensifies inequality through adverse impacts on already disadvantaged people, and how inequalities in human development amplify environmental degradation,” says the UN Resident Coordinator to Tanzania Mr Alberic Kacou in his remarks during the launch.

He says the world has seen enormous progress in human development over the years. Some countries have progressed quickly while others have advanced slowly but steadily. 

“I am happy to note that in 2011 Tanzania has ranked 152nd in the new Human Development Index, HDI, out of a total of 189 countries— up one place from last year. Further, it has moved up seven places in the HDI ranking from 2006 to 2011 – one of the top performers during that period,” he adds, with a caution:

“But challenges remain in moving forward. Both inequality and environmental issues could stall progress in human development. For example, if discounted for inequality, Tanzania’s HDI falls by 28.8 per cent largely due to inequalities in life expectancy and education. This is reflected in the Inequality Adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI). Worsening environmental degradation could soon change the pattern of progress in human development across countries, especially in developing countries.”