University of Bahrain

College of Engineering

Department of Chemical Engineering

Assignment 1

SUMMARY OF HOW WILL COVID-19 AFFECT THE GLOBAL

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA WEBINAR

CHENG/PICENG491

Engineering Ethics S1 2020/2021

Done by:

Asma Zakarya Alsayed – 20155025 – Section 01

Submitted to: Dr.Najat Es’haqi Submitted on: 12 /11/2020

1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the
planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. The 17 Goals were
adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development which set out a 15-year plan to achieve the Goals.

The aim of this assignment is to watch the UN webinar which talks about How Will COVID-
19 Affect the Global Sustainable Development Agenda? Presented by KSHAMTA HUNTER
who is PhD candidate in the Faculty of Education, Curriculum and Pedagogy where she is
investigating the role of social innovation and youth activism in achieving the sustainable
development agenda.

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2.0 SUMMARY

Sustainable development was defined in 1987 by Brundtland in a document called our common
goal released by the United Nations and in that document the definition of sustainable
development is Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and it's still a
very common definitions being used in 2015. UN went through a largest consultation
worldwide over three years to come up with agenda 2030 and it's really a blueprint to achieve
a better and more sustainable future for all 193 countries have signed up or on this agenda 2030
and the SDGs are a collection of 17 goals with 169 targets and 232. Some of these targets and
indicators are fairly well defined and some are not, for example target 1.2 says that we must
reduce poverty by at least 50% is a measurable goal compared to target 2.4 which basically is
a sustainable food production and resilient agricultural practices not necessarily measurable it
depends on the country and how they are going to define or measure these targets.

The key characteristics that define the SDGs:

• Universality: which means that they can be applied to every country equally
including developing nations like Canada and US, it also applied to both rich and
poor countries.
• Indivisible: which means that goals are interconnected so achievement of one goal
really depends on the achievement of the others.
• Transformative: meaning that there needs to be a move past business as usual they
seek transformative and innovative solutions changing how we think about money
growth and profit.
• leaving no one behind: really the success of all of this depends on the inclusion of
the poorest and most vulnerable population.

There are many ways to look at the SDGs what's called the
• 5p lens so they're the categorize into five buckets which are people, prosperity, peace,
partnerships and planet
• The donut diagram: it divides the SDGs into three stages which are economy society
and environment lens.

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The reason of why we need SDGs is because of the human societies are causing more damage to
the planet environment for example;

• increasing in equal inequality among countries.

• increasing in divide between the rich and poor
• jobs may not exist in the next few years, so the education system is struggling with that.

Covid-19 impact 3 major aspect which are

• Economy: increment in unemployment.

• Society: racism, inequality and inequity
• environment: the environmental hazardous activities near the communities increases the
chance of pandemic and diseases. Also increasing in single-use items and sanitation
equipment leading to more waste.

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3.0 QUESTIONS
− Do you think that the SD goals will be adjusted due to COVID-19?
No, I believe that rather than changing the goals we could change the way we look at them,
because the goals are very left baked so that every country can relate to them.

− What is the world's largest lesson?

The world's largest lesson is a mission to ensure that every child in the world grows up knowing
and caring about the Sustainable Development Goals and is inspired to take action to help
achieve them.

− What are some of the small things on the daily basis we can do now?
I think the pandemic forced us to do things that we need to do for a long time for example:
1. work from home: working from home make us cut down the carbon emissions as we
need to drive and get to work every day.
2. Reduce energy consuming like turning off the lights.

− Will economic and environmental losses lead to a surge in human migration after the
pandemic.
Yes, I think economic and environmental loss will increase human migration rates. Before the
pandemic if an environmental crisis happened in some place e.g. Chernobyl, many people
immigrate from their countries looking for better life away off poverty. In this pandemic many
countries and humans are at risk of falling into extreme poverty, however, migration can only
happen to certain countries will at some point start closing their doors because of covid-19.

− In your opinion what are some of the ways that the UN could foster international
cooperation’s to achieve these SDGs.
The UN doesn't have the authority to force counties. Every country should have their
own way of targeting SD goals however, the UN should increase the foster international
cooperation.

− what do you think is the most important goal?

In my opinion I think education because it is the foundation to build all the goal. However, all
the SDGs are interconnected and not fully achieve one without addressing all the others.

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− Do you think focus on these goals will get lost admits efforts in returning to normal
quickly?
The focus might shift temporarily as there might be some struggles as we returning to normal
life and opening economies but these are the goals that we want to achieve so we will go back
again to the track in order to achieve them.

− How are the timelines for Less quantifiable goals structured and second question to that
are these timelines expected to be delayed?
The timelines might be shifted as it is impossible to completely achieve some targets by 2030
due to coronavirus, however some targets need immediate action like climate crisis.

− what if government stimulate fossil fuels when we opening the economy rather than
renewable energy sources and then can we pressure governments to stimulate sustainably.
There is a chance that as we are recovering through this pandemic, that we might do things to
really sustain our economies and move forward in a more economy feasible way, however I
believe it is not necessarily to pressure government to stimulate green economy. The new Green
Deal is something to look at and it can be fostered by keep reminding government with the
importance of it without pressure as the government is already stressed due to the economy
issues.

− do you think an office less environment can be a possible new normal to support the
goals of sustainability?
Offices less environment are suitable for people who are setting in the laptop for a long time
but it may not be suitable for everyone for example the researcher have to go to the labs and
use the equipment to do their experiments so for them it will be hard to apply the office less
environment.

− what other goals could be added to the 17 already listed that could be assisting the SDG
Indigenous perspectives or indigenous ways of living. It could be an extra goal to be added or
it should be a lens to look at all the goals.

− Emphasis on pluralism to achieve the goals

Although it is 17 goals with a lot of targets and indicators, I believe that what we are
trying to do is to live in a society that we want to be in.

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− world response to covid-19 started well in coordinating responses. The more distressing
aspects of geopolitics is rising (isolationism, espionage), best response?
There is a mentality to secure or protect yourself, but the International Cooperation is
really must especially in the health sector of sharing equipment. There is a lot of
coordination in terms of vaccines and researchers sharing across the globe about what
they are working on and how they are working together.

− what would be the first step in leading my community towards more sustainable ways
especially when government support is weak
The first step is always to talk to people about the issues so everybody will want to do
something. Then, as a community start your own community project and stick
together to achieve the goal that you want as a community.

− What kind of concerns are being asked of big corporations to decrease their
manufacturing practices on Climate / health to be more sustainable for our planet and
our life?
A lot of organizations and corporations are looking at sustainable practices as a
business case for them. However, these sustainable practices bring a lot of financial
security for the organizations not only because it's the right thing to do.

− When we turn to normal what does that mean regarding sustainability for health planet
and life
This pandemic is giving us an opportunity to redefine what our norm could look like and what
does it mean for sustainability of health, planet and life, so I think if we return to normal we
need to do some adjustment in our lifestyle.

− How can these 17 goals become interconnected globally to create access to human to
basic human rights?
The goals are focusing in the vulnerable human to ensure that all human will have more than
the basic human rights. However, the UN should work closely with the human rights
declaration as the goals are interconnected with the human rights.

− How can the developing countries in Africa be assisted towards the 17 goals?
The developed countries should help and share technologies, resources and tools. That's
where the international cooperation comes to encourage develop countries.

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4.0 ACTIVITIES
4.1 Activity (1)
1. What is your expectation from the session?
Learn more about the effects of coronavirus at sustainable development goals and to
get an overview of the SDGs.

2. How are you feeling right now?

In this period, I feel stressed, tired and exhausted due to many reasons. One of them is sitting
at home for a long time, missing family and friend gathering and outdoor activities.

3. what worries you the most about the pandemic?

I am afraid that the pandemic will not be ended soon as it changed our lifestyle and
routine and I am terrified that we cannot go back to live a normal life without fear of
getting the virous or transmit it to others specially family members.

4. What keeps you hopeful and motivated?

Despite of the stresses and the fear, there are several things that keeps me motivated
and hopeful such as my parents support, friends even if we are applying social
distance. In addition, I tried to set a small daily goal to be productive as possible.

4.2 Activity (2)

1. Is really COVID-19 offering us the opportunity to learn from our mistakes,

change our behavior and build something?
I think yes because among this period people learned to be more responsible toward
them self and society. In addition, COVID-19 gives us the opportunity to create new
things, work on postponed projects, change the behaviors that negatively affect us and
the community and take an advantage of the free time that COVID-19 gives us.

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5.0 WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THE LECTURE
From the lecture I have learned that

- SDGs are universal, indivisible, transformative, and did not leave any one behind.
- Thy are 17 goals with 169 target and 232 inductors.
- There are many ways to look at the SDGs like the 5P lens and the donut diagram.
- the human societies are causing more damage to the planet environment for example;
increasing in equal inequality among countries, increasing in divide between the rich
and poor jobs.
- Covid-19 impact 3 major aspect which are Economic, Society and environment.
- The impact of covid-19 in the 17 goals of SDGs.

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 6.0 IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON SDGS
Table 1: Impact of COVID-19 on SDGS

Goal Impact

1 Poverty Loss of income results in families fall below the

poverty line and daily wage earners

2 Hunger market tampering and stockpiling is impacting food

prices with deleterious effects on nutrition of the most
vulnerable.

3 Good Health and Well-Being Impacts on elderly and poor or low/wage income
population.

4 Quality Education online learning not accessible for many which could
lead to child labor.

5 Gender Equality most of the health workforce are women which puts
them at greater risk of infection

6 Clean Water and Sanitation Inadequate supply of clean water and sanitation
supplies promotes infections by hindering sanitary
measures, such as handwashing.

7 Grow Affordable and Clean Energy Increased demand for electricity at homes may not be
fulfilled by clean energy sector and it further weakens
health system response and capacity.

8 Decent Work and Economic Growth The global economy is affected due to the disruptions
halting the manufacturing industry, the falling
commodity prices and the increasing unemployment
rate.

9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure Major financial markets are gyrating, and international
supply chains are in turmoil

10 Reduce Inequality Exacerbating already high levels of inequality within

and between countries. Developing countries facing
food insecurity, job loss, access to clean water and

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 sanitation, decreased connectivity, and knock on
effects on economies heavily dependent on
remittances.

11 Sustainable Cities and Communities Homeless and slums population face the risk of
infections due to high population and poor access to
sanitation.

12 Responsible Consumption and Production Reduced consumerism on one hand but increased use
to single use items sanitary equipment, including PPE.

13 Organize Climate Action Drastic reduction in economic activity has reduced

CO2 emissions and pollution in many areas.

14 Life Below Water Decreased law enforcement at sea may give the
opportunities to fish illegally. Covid-19 outbreaks
aboard ship represent a threat to public health.

15 Life on Land COVID-19 has shown us the relationship between

people and nature. Nature provides a buffer between
humans and disease, and diseases are often the results
of encroachment into ecosystems.

16 Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Stigmatization of some groups wrongly considered
"responsible" for the diffusion of the virus. Trust in
the institution of government and the political
leadership may be eroded.

17 Build Partnerships for the Goals A whole-of-society approach is needed. An effective

response needs to be multidimensional, coordinated,
swift and decisive. No individual country can do this
alone.

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7.0 MY CHOSEN GOAL

My chosen goal is goal (3) which is good health and well-being. The speaker talked about
how goal 3 is impacted by covid-19 specially how coronavirus impacts elderly and poor or
low/wage income population are more vulnerable and also how the pandemic effects the mental
health beside the physical one.

8.0 BENEFITS FROM THE LECTURE

Yes, as the speaker did cover a lot of important points:

- The SD goals, targets and inductors as well as the characteristics that defined them for
example the SDG are universal, indivisible, transformative, and did not leave any one
behind.
- The importance of sustainable development goals.

- The impact of covid-19 on the 17 goals of sustainable development.

9.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

In conclusion in this webinar the speaker discusses 3 important point which are the
sustainable development goal and how we look to them, how SDGs are important to
countries and humans and finally how coronavirus affect the 17 goals. I believe that during
this pandemic in order to maintain the developing the SDGs every person is responsible we
all should stick together hoping that this pandemic ends soon.

10.0 REFERENCES
- How Will COVID-19 Affect the Global Sustainable Development Agenda? By
KSHAMTA HUNTER, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aiiVlFmTWg

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