From the Environment and Human Security to Sustainable Security and Development

Abstract

This paper argues for a broader emphasis on sustainable security and sustainable development, and for examining both opportunities as well as threats to security. The authors note that many of the significant risks arising from human and natural interactions do not emerge at global or local levels, but at intermediate scales. They look at what different conceptual frameworks have to contribute to our understanding and review lessons from experience, illustrating where possible with work on water. The authors conclude by offering implications for an agenda of action, including interconnected frameworks, coalitions for change, interlocking institutional arrangements and disaggregated goals and indicators.Environment, Sustainable Development, Human Development, Human Security, Water, Disaster, Sustainable Livelihoods,

Environmental livelihood security in Southeast Asia and Oceania: a water-energy-food-livelihoods nexus approach for spatially assessing change. White paper

“…Several approaches to indicator frameworks exist (UNDESA 2007), such as (i) driving force-state-response, (ii) issues or themes relating to sustainable development or sustainability, (iii) capital frameworks which evaluate national wealth as a function of different factors (e.g., finance; institutions), and (iv) accounting frameworks which pull indicators from a single database. However, while there is evidence that macro-indicator systems such as those that exist for aggregate economies, environments and societies are somewhat useful for informing broader policy controversies, there is increasing consensus that more subtle disaggregated indices are needed to reflect key realities on the ground, and that macro-indicators do not necessarily reflect the status or priorities of communities located at various scales or in different contexts (Khagram et al 2003). Morse (2013) notes the creation and use of development indicators are related to differing theories of what development means.…”

“…Accordingly, integration of the SLA with other constructs has merit (Small 2007). Referring to the frameworks of the SLA and sustainability science, for example, Khagram et al (2003) note that each clearly demonstrates the intricate interconnectivities of human, social and environmental systems -action on one invariably affects the other. One notable empirical study aimed at integrating the SLA constructs with ecosystem health was pursued by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) (Connell 2010).…”

“…In this way, the SLA is not simply about using a systems perspective to identify relevant factors and the causal linkages between them, but it can be integrated with other approaches such as those identifying the influence of food, water and energy nexus on human security (Hoff 2011) and the relationship between human security and livelihoods (Khagram et al 2003). The SLA can be used not only to organize information but also to help its users to restructure information and knowledge and to see the world through different lenses.…”

“…According to Khagram et al (2003), conceptual and practical frameworks should virtually always link security and development. In practice this means that communities concerned with each of these must be in deep dialogue and continual engagement.…”

“…The quality of human lives is inextricably linked to water which forms the core of the hydrologic, food production and livelihood systems (Kemp-Benedict et al 2009). Whilst Hoff (2011) identified the role of the food, water and energy nexus in influencing human security, and Khagram et al (2003) identified the relationship between human security and livelihoods, limited research exists conceptualizing and quantifying the relationship between food-water-energy security and sustainable livelihoods, particularly under a changing climate. In addition, Brauch (2005) stated that the analysis of environmental security issues at a regional level requires a spatial approach and should account for the temporal dimensions of environmental change.…”