Sustainable Development

and
Environmental Justice
Presented by

WMSU Engr. Marlon C. Grande

April 19, 2023
Venue: CSWCD, WMSU

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What is Sustainable Development?

“Development that meets the needs of the present

without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs”
the globally accepted definition adopted in 1987 at the
World Commission on Environment and Development
In other words, Sustainable Development is the criteria for achieving social and
economic progress in ways that will not exhaust the earth’s finite resources and
not exploit or impoverish one grouping of people for the enrichment of another.
What are the
2030 Sustainable Development Goals?
On September 25, 2015, after three years of debate and negotiations,
all 193 member-nations of the UN, including the United States, voted
unanimously to adopt these global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s),
stating:

“On behalf of the peoples we serve, we have adopted a historic decision on

a comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centered set of universal and
transformative goals and targets. We commit ourselves to working tirelessly
for the full implementation of this agenda by 2030.”

Declaration of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable Development

Who wrote the
2030 Agenda
and the 17
Goals?
Representatives from all 193
member nations of the UN and
hundreds of Non-Government
Organizations (NGOs) and civil
society groups representing
indigenous people, small
farmers, working people,
environmental movement people,
scientists, social workers,
minorities, women’s groups and
other stakeholders over a three
year period of time.
 Environmental Justice
- The right of every individual to live in healthy environment
regardless of race, gender, age or nationality. Basically, it
means that no one’s health or quality of life should suffer
because of the environment they live in.

- The health of a community suffers when people don’t have

access to healthy homes and foods, transportations, fresh air,
and safe neighborhoods.

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Environmental Racism
A racial discrimination in environmental policy-
making and enforcement of regulations and
laws, the deliberate targeting of communities of
color for toxic waste facilitates, the official
sanctioning of the presence of life-threatening
poisons and pollutants for communities of
color, and the history of excluding people of
color from leadership of the environmental
movement.

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Example of Environmental Injustices Issues

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History of Environmental Justice
1982 – Fight for Envi Justice with residents
of Warren country, North Carolina, USA,
mounted mass demonstration against plan
to dump contaminated soil in landfill

Envi Protection Agency (EPA)

- Established in Dec. 1970 by Pres. Nixon

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• 1987 – The United Church of Racial
Justice Commission
• 1992 – The Federal Govt founded Office
of Envi Justice
• 1994 – Pres Bill Clinton embed Envi
Justice in all of their policies

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• 2001 – George W Bush, protecting low
incomes and minority
• 2005 – Envi Civil rights
• 2009 – Obama’s action on Envi
• 2010 – Republican took over Envi Justice
• 2017 – Trump weakening of EPA

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Emerging themes in Envi Justice
• Climate Justice
• Indigenous Justice
• Food Justice
• Energy Justice

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Philippine Environmental Laws
Section 16, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution

The State shall protect and advance the right of the people
to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature.

Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution – National

Economy and Patrimony

All lands public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum,

and other mineral oils, all sources of potential energy,
fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and
other natural resources are owned by the State.

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 Philippine Environmental Policy (PD1151) (1977)
 Presidential Decree (PD) 1586: Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System
1978
 Republic Act (RA) 8749: Clean Air (CAA) of 1999
 Republic Act (RA) 9275: Clean Water Act of 2004
 Republic Act (RA) 6969: Philippine Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Act
(1990)
 Republic Act(RA) 9003: Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (PESWMA) of 2000
 Republic Act (RA) 9729: Climate Change Act of 2009
 Republic Act (RA) 9512: Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008.
 Fisheries Code of 1998 Republic Act 8550

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• The Friends of the Watersheds was formed in 2009 as an advocacy group to protest
the grant of a permit to a mining company to carry out “exploration for ores” within
the Ayala watershed area. It was the general feeling that exploration was just a cover
for actual mining activities in the future. Since Ayala was still suffering from the
effects of mining by a company granted a permit in the ‘70s, the reaction to the new
threat elicited a strong reaction from the residents. Silsilah joined the advocacy and
the voice of protest thus became stronger and louder.

• The Friends of the Watersheds is no longer just an advocacy for the Ayala watershed
but for all the watersheds of Zamboanga City. As in all advocacy work it requires
commitment and resolve to go against the vested interests of some groups and the
indifference of many.

https://silsilahdialogue.com/silsilahs-friends-of-
the-watersheds/
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Initiatives: Scubasurero

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Initiatives: Plogging

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Agency and Organization in Ph

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VIDEOS

• CIRCULAR ECONOMY
• TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS

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ACTIVITY

Submit A Project Proposal

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