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1SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE AND SOCIETY: CONCEPT AND APPROACHES
Senior Lecturer Zhantayeva Ardak Myktybekovna Taraz State University named after Mukhammed Khaidar Dulati
Abstract. The article aims to research the prerequisites for the emergence of the concept of "sustainable development," as in recent times, all countries in the world are more concerned with the preservation and protection of the environment than with economic growth. In recent years, the negative consequences of global climate change leading to environmental degradation, deforestation, land degradation, and the extinction of both individual animal species and entire species have become visible to the naked eye on a global scale. This highlights humanity's indifferent attitude towards the environment, which could lead to a global environmental catastrophe and irreversible consequences that could significantly impact the quality and duration of human life. Therefore, it is high time for rational human beings to rethink their relationship with the natural environment, and this time arrived yesterday. Otherwise, humanity will be forced to survive on a fading planet.
Keywords: sustainable development, environment, climate, climate change, ecology, economic growth, global community, green economy, green technologies, international organizations, financial institutions, poverty alleviation.
Introduction.
The strategy for sustainable economic development in the Republic of Kazakhstan, in the context of expanding Eurasian economic integration, serves as the foundation for the development and implementation of the key directions of the country's macroeconomic policy. Previously developed National Programs such as "Kazakhstan-2030" and "Kazakhstan-2050," along with other long-term state programs, laid the groundwork for further sustainable and innovative development as well as the deepening of regional integration within the framework of the EAEU.
The theoretical basis and justification for the strategic priorities of sustainable economic development in Kazakhstan in the context of the regional integration of the EAEU countries and globalization of markets is the systematic assessment of the strengthening of integration interactions among all economic entities (from government agencies to manufacturers). In order to enhance the effectiveness of this interaction, the modern globalized and regionalized market system places particular importance on the development of optimal trajectories for the sustainable development of the national economies of countries that belong to the same regional group.
The implementation of Kazakhstan's long-term development strategies requires institutional influence from all bodies of government and the utilization of intellectual and resource potential. However, there are certain gaps in the implementation of these socio-economic reforms. There are still many unresolved issues regarding the implementation of various programs, both in theoretical, methodological, and practical terms. In this aspect, it's necessary to provide a structural analysis of the potential and opportunities for the further implementation of the sustainable development strategy in the context of globalization and market regionalization, which indicates the relevance of the chosen research topic.
Literature Review.
Since the inception and formation of economic thought, society, through its progressive representatives, has been constantly concerned with issues of sustainable development of the national economy. Various theories of societal development and statehood emerged one after another, sometimes holding polar opinions on the selection of necessary tools and methods to achieve economic balance, even encompassing Utopian ideas and doctrines. However, the common goal that united all economic schools and movements was to achieve stable development of the state and society.
In recent history, the initiative and role in the development and use of mechanisms for stable and balanced human development on a global scale have fallen to international organizations.
Thus, in the late 80s of the last century, the United Nations Commission on Environment and Development, following an assessment of the economic conditions in various countries around the world, prepared a report entitled "Our Common Future." This report carried the central theme of sustainable development, emphasizing the interconnection between generations.
The key principle that formed the basis of the report was the idea of the responsibility of both the state and society in ensuring the ability to meet the needs of not only the present but also future generations. This principle became the fundamental formulation of sustainable development. Additionally, an important condition for ensuring sustainable development has become the awareness by the global community of the need to create a balance between solving socio-economic problems and preserving the environment.
In 1992, at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, the Concept of Sustainable Development itself was adopted. Nowadays, this concept is often perceived as a " worldwide model of the future of civilization." The issues of sustainable development for states and societies have become even more relevant, and they continue to be actively discussed by the heads of the world's leading countries to this day.
At the same time, some domestic and foreign economists believe that the starting point in the formation of this theory was V. Vernadsky's concept of the "noosphere," in which he considered it as the synthesis of the creative forces of society and natural resources. In the first half of the 20th century, this renowned economist managed to predict the fundamental issue of contemporary world development—the necessity of changing the very way human society currently exists in a haphazard manner: "The historical process is changing radically before our eyes. For the first time in the history of mankind, the interests of the masses - each and everyone - and the free life of the individual determine the life of humanity, serving as a measure of its ideas of justice. Humanity, taken as a whole, becomes a powerful geological force. And before him, before his thought and labor, there arises the question of restructuring the biosphere in the interests of free-thinking humanity as a single whole. This new state of the biosphere, which we are approaching without noticing it, is the "noosphere". The
Fig.l Diagrams of Sustainable Development and Spheres of V.I. Vernadsky's Scientific Worldview.
V. Vernadsky, in his works, laid down the conceptual principles of sustainable development, which can be stated as follows:
- sustainable development implies the interconnection of the ecological, economic and social components of humanity;
- a system formed on the basis of such interconnection possesses "internal" intelligence and the potential for self-development;
- sustainable development entails consolidating the results obtained at each stage through special measures to prevent or minimize the risks of transition to a crisis situation.
The importance of adopting the Concept of Sustainable Development is caused by the risks of environmental deterioration on a global scale due to the use of products of scientific and technological progress and the rapid population growth in developing countries. Undoubtedly, these factors have a significantly negative impact on the balance between nature, humanity, and society.
Methodology.
Considering the circumstances mentioned above, in the preparation of the Concept of Sustainable Development, the developers envisioned the interconnectedness of its three components: economic, ecological, and social.
The economic component of the mentioned concept presupposes a state of total product or income that is achieved through the optimal use of capital and limited resources, with a focus on environmentally friendly and resource-efficient technologies at all stages of production, including raw material extraction and processing, as well as waste treatment and disposal.
The ecological component aims to ensure the unity of physical and biological natural systems and the global sustainability of the entire biosphere. Special attention should be given to methods of production and consumption that allow the natural environment to maintain its self-regenerative capabilities.
The social component aims to preserve the stability of social and cultural systems and reduce the number of destructive conflicts, both among individuals and between countries.
From this, it follows that sustainable development is economic growth accompanied by the resolution of society's social problems, including the improvement of the standard and quality of life for the population, all while ensuring that the state of the environment does not degrade.
Results.
The presence of such a close interconnection between the above-mentioned components of sustainable development has become a priority today, when visible negative changes in the state of the environment in most parts of our planet dictate the need for careful use of limited natural resources and the transition to a "green" economy.
Taking into account the need to transition to the principles of a "green" economy and to lay the groundwork for building a peaceful and just global community in the 21st century, an international declaration titled the "Earth Charter" was developed. It was adopted at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris in March 2000. The purpose of this document was to call for environmental stewardship, respect for universal human rights and cultural diversity, the observance of economic justice, and democracy. The declaration is built upon four fundamental principles: community concern for planet Earth; ecological integrity, social and economic justice, and democracy, non-violence, and peace.
The new understanding of the components of economic growth served as the basis for the development, under the auspices of the UN, of the "Sustainable Development Goals" (SDGs) in 2015, which outlined a global agenda for sustainable development from 2015 to 2030. These goals replaced the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that were set for the preceding 15-year period.
As part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, it is planned to solve 170 tasks in different areas, grouped into 17 goals, ranging from eradicating extreme poverty and ending hunger to ensuring gender equality and combating climate change.
Thus, the Sustainable Development Goals, developed under the patronage and participation of the United Nations, like the previous Millennium Development Goals, outline the fundamental challenges facing humanity. The sustainable development goals are fairly specific and comprise a broad list of various indicators that need to be achieved.
However, the Agenda for Sustainable Development does not prescribe how the Sustainable Development Goals will be achieved. It does not provide international institutions and organizations with specific powers and responsibilities for solving these issues. In this regard, a significant part of the financial costs should be carried out only at the national level, despite the fact that the Sustainable Development Goals are a global initiative.
At the same time, all countries of the world community take part in discussing existing common problems, developing measures to solve them, and some developed countries even act as donors to international financial institutions that are involved in financing governments facing these challenges.
One such international institution that provides financing for initiatives aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals established under the auspices of the United Nations is the World Bank. Through projects supported by this international organization in financial terms, various countries work to address issues such as poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, access to water and energy resources, and more.
There are also more specific organizations, such as the Global Environment Facility, whose activities are focused on financing projects only to solve environmental problems.
Additionally, the Green Climate Fund, established under the initiative of governments from 124 countries and operating under the United Nations, is dedicated to financing various activities, including the development of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy, small-scale hydropower, and biogas. Its functions also encompass supporting adaptation to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries. As for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian Development Bank, the African Development Bank and other similar financial institutions, they finance projects to solve infrastructure, energy and poverty alleviation problems on a regional scale.
The above demonstrates that majority of international organizations, including those within the UN system, have included a significant environmental component in the guidelines of their activities aimed at sustainable development. That is, balanced development both for international organizations and for the entire civilized world has become a process of fundamental changes in the life of society, in which methods of using natural resources, areas of attracting investment, areas of scientific and technical research and scientific thought, the development of personal characteristics and institutional changes are interconnected with each other to ensure the quality of life of the population.
In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the global community has developed and tested various methods and approaches since their formulation to address the challenges of individual countries and regions. These measures, which are adopted by governments, include:
1. Targeted transfer of part of the financial resources from developed regions to low-income regions with the transfer of the necessary experience in environmental conservation and the use of resource-saving technologies through the implementation of relevant international projects.
2. Social mobilization aimed at activating the population and involving society in the decisionmaking process regarding the mobilization and management of economic and natural resources, poverty alleviation, and the development of local self-governance.
3. Establishment of regional economic and political unions similar to the Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC), with the goal of providing member countries with additional benefits and advantages in terms of economic development.
4. Implementation of activities by international donor organizations aimed at supporting the budgets of developing countries and the development of the social sector. This work is carried out by major financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and others.
5. The creation of reserve and guarantee funds by governments to prevent the emergence of crisis situations, facilitate the timely fulfillment of financial obligations, and ensure the safety of citizens' and businesses1 funds. Such financial structures can include deposit protection organizations, insurance, and reinsurance funds.
6. The development and promotion of the principles of a "green" economy among the population and economic entities, which contribute to long-term and high-quality economic growth while preserving the environment. For example, government authorities currently incentivize the use of electric vehicles by eliminating import duties on them.
7. The establishment and financial support of international environmental organizations, such as Greenpeace, NABU (Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union in Germany), the World Wildlife Fund, Robin Wood, and others. Their goal is to protect the environment and water resources, conserve
endangered animal and bird species, and increase their populations, thereby preserving biodiversity on planet Earth.
8. The development of sustainable development strategies for regions and territories by countries, allowing them to identify the main directions and approaches to achieve economic balance.
9. Targeted support for poor households and disadvantaged population groups to compensate for the negative consequences of rising energy and utility prices, ultimately strengthening social stability in society.
10. Ensuring food security to continuously provide the population with physical and economic access to food products.
Thus, in the modern stage of global economic development, the concept of sustainable development is viewed through the lens of long-term progress for humanity, accompanied by capital growth and environmental improvement.
Indicators of sustainable development also encompass factors that characterize social stability, democratization of society, population growth, international responsibility, and education.
The system of eco-indicators developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has gained wide usage and recognition throughout the world. They are classified into the following types:
1. A set of environmental indicators for assessing the effectiveness of environmental protection
activities.
2. A set of sectoral indicators to integrate environmental issues into sectoral policies.
3. A set of indicators for incorporating environmental issues into sectoral policies and ensuring
the sustainability of natural resource management and utilization1.
The OECD indicator system explains the interconnections between the economy and environmental protection, highlighting the economic-environmental and socio-environmental linkages. It represents the "pressure-state-response" (PSR) model. The PSR model operates as follows: human activities exert "pressure" on the environment, leading to changes in the quantity and quality of natural resources (the "state"); society responds to this by altering government policies, public awareness, and behavior (the "response to pressure"). One of the most comprehensive sets of sustainable development indicators was developed by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, whose activities we discussed earlier. The indicators are divided into the following main groups:
- indicators of social aspects of sustainable development;
- indicators of economic aspects of sustainable development;
- indicators of environmental aspects of sustainable development (covering the state of water, land, atmosphere, other natural resources, and waste);
- Indicators of institutional aspects of sustainable development (programming and policy planning, scientific developments, international legal instruments, information support, enhancing the role of key population groups).
N.N. Moiseev emphasized that the transition to the noosphere is impossible without ensuring the co-evolution of society and nature, that "the concept of the noosphere and the co-evolution of man and the biosphere are becoming almost synonymous."
In this regard, it can be concluded that such coevolution signifies a transition to a new type of extended societal reproduction, namely, a nature-resource-conserving mode of reproduction.
This form of extended reproduction includes, as its main components, not only the extended reproduction of traditional goods and services but also a specific societal good - the quality (state) of the environment. At the same time, the extended reproduction of this good should be understood as the ability of the environment, in interaction with humans, to satisfy the needs of existing and future generations of people in fulfilling a number of essential functions, without the realization of which the
1 Sustainable development: Methodology and measurement techniques: textbook / S. N. Bobylev, N. V. Zubarevich, S. V. Solovyova, Y. S. Vlasov; edited by S. N. Bobyleva. - M.: Economics, 2011. - 358 p.
existence of either an individual or society as a whole would be impossible. Among these functions, the following can be included:
- being a healthy environment for habitation and livelihood;
- serving as the foundation for the settlement and deployment of productive forces;
- acting as a source of natural resources and ecological goods;
- accumulating and transforming pollutants;
- preserving the gene pool and biodiversity of plants and animals;
- stabilizing and preserving climatic conditions at local and global levels.
The process of extended reproduction, as understood in this broad sense, is a regulated and directed process of interaction between nature and society, in which natural and man-made processes, factors, and conditions are inseparably interconnected. Such an understanding of the extended reproduction process is of fundamental importance for economics as a science, particularly for the economics of natural resource management, which, in our opinion, has long been in a deep theoretical crisis and impasse but is finding expression today in a new format called "green" economics.
Some economists propose other systems of indicators, as shown below in Fig. 2. However, many of them have similar directions1.
Fig. 2. Sustainable development and its key directions
Conclusion.
Monitoring and continually improving the above-mentioned indicators and indexes will require significant efforts from governments. However, such measures will ultimately enable countries to embark on the path of sustainable development and prosperity.
Therefore, sustainable development is the goal of all nations without exception. However, in the modern stage of global economic development, and in light of the depletion of natural resources, the
1Dokholyan, S. V. Management of sustainable development of territorial socio-economic systems of the mesoregion// Economics and Entrepreneurship. № 6.2011.
concept of sustainable development is increasingly viewed through the lens of the close interaction between humanity and the environment. Thoughtless and irrational use of natural resources in the process of human life without consideration for the needs of future generations can lead to destructive consequences.
Humanity's awareness of the need to achieve economic growth, considering the preservation and protection of the environment, and maintaining social stability, creates the prerequisites for long-term sustainable development not only for individual nations and societies but for the entire planet Earth. In doing so, future generations, like the current one, will have the opportunity to enjoy comfortable living on our planet without the threat of global climate change.
In this regard, all countries and continents must make efforts to develop and use "green" technologies and carry out development within the framework of a "green" economy. And these requirements are not an initiative of only developed countries but are a mandate of our time!!!
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