The innovative pro-poor environmentally green engineering systems (PEGES) standard: towards accelerated sustainable development in developing countries, Dr Nazar Hassan
Dr Nazar Hassan
UNESCO Beirut Multisectoral Office in the Arab States
Lebanon
DOI: 10.47556/B.OUTLOOK2024.22.12
RECEIVED: 26 June 2024 / REVISED: 9 July 2024 / ACCEPTED: 18 July 2024 / PUBLISHED: 30 October 2024
Abstract
PURPOSE: This research aims to quantitatively and qualitatively solve the Sustainable Development Decision Problem in developing countries by seeking smart solutions towards the implementation of the 17 SDGs as one package, while observing the consensus core values (i) Collective Benefit; (ii) Equity and Fairness; (iii) Quality and Integrity; (iv) Inclusiveness; and (v) Sustainability (Weaver et al., 1997).
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The Modified Dynamic Strategic Fit (MDSF) Algorithm (Hassan, 2003) was designed and developed to solve the following major development requirements in the targeted countries: a) appropriate infrastructure; b) social protection measures and systems; c) basic services; d) sound and practical policy framework; e) robust multi-stakeholder partnerships covering the different target circles of SDG 17 (finance, technology, capacity building, governance, institutional policy coherence; multi-stakeholder partnerships, trade) (Griggs et al., 2017).
FINDINGS: The resulting algorithm was able to develop a new conceptual framework to solve Agenda 2030’s SDG problem by reducing the 169 expected results into only 48 expected results, making the problem and its holistic solution feasible and tractable.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE OF THE PAPER: The international community is herewith called upon to undertake a paradigm shift to facilitate the practical and accelerated implementation of Agenda 2030 in developing economies by focusing and putting SDG 1 (No poverty) at the core of the proposed solution framework. The proposed framework calls first for the utilisation of a set of well-designed Poverty Reduction and Social Protection (PRSP) policies; this is part of the innovative and newly proposed Aristotle Framework for Action (AFA) Initiative. The AFA initiative proves the power of the integrated whole system design (IWSD) approach, utilising a newly developed Pro-Poor Environmentally Green Engineering Systems (PEGES) standard, when the correct associated science, technology and innovation (STI) innovative technological applications and programmes and the proper set of values are jointly promoted.
RESEARCH LIMITATIONS: The Sustainable Development Decision (SDD) problem is a special form of ill-defined complex decision problems. This type of problem is inherently unique and should be treated as a one-shot operation, while there is no structured or standard manner for their formulation, and there is no one single criterion of optimality. The complexity of these problems is rooted within many disciplines, their modelling requires a wide range of tools, and the solution necessitates the design and utilisation of a new conceptual framework to allow for the reduction of the problem into a tractable format (Chevallier, 2009).
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Achieving sustainable development in developing countries necessitates a huge level of human and financial resources. As we base the solution on the best scenario, the financial implications skyrocket, making it almost financially infeasible unless there is an innovative out-of-the-box financial model that can fully engage the private sector on a high return on investment (ROI) basis and away from public or international assistance models. At the same time, however, the other requirements for human resources and capacity building become vivid and within reach to achieve. The model therefore identifies the knowledge and technological base required and the targeted population and groups to make it work.
KEYWORDS: Poverty Reduction; Pro-poor Coherent Policies; Conceptual Framework; Sustainable Consumption and Production; Infrastructure; Basic Services.
CITATION: Hassan, N.M. (2024): The Innovative Pro-poor Environmentally Green Engineering Systems (PEGES) Standard: Towards Accelerated Sustainable Development in Developing Countries. In Ahmed, A. (Ed.): World Sustainable Development Outlook 2024, Vol. 20, pp.159–174. WASD: London, United Kingdom.
