The challenges that societies must face are configured by the current social and environmental context. The change towards a sustainable strategic model can solve these problems and mitigate its consequences.
5 july 2016
Spanish economy has gone through a tumultuous decade in which it has been forced to suffer many transformations for different reasons. The juncture of economic crisis and recession that started almost ten years ago propitiated controversial measures and actions on the part of the governments that shaped the evolution and the development of the economy during the last years.
A new model must deepen in social inequalities and the environment.
The path the economy has followed has moved away from the sustainability objectives that the strategies and the European reference frameworks mark. The way towards the application of a sustainable model has been delayed to the present day, when different organisations appeal to reflect on the economic future in the current social and environmental framework.
These are the main concerns that are extracted from the sustainability report in Spain carried out by Alternatives Foundations. In the recently published document the general aspects for establishing a new strategic economic model that considers characteristics of the current context such as climate change or social inequality. To do that, there are four key aspects to move forward to a more sustainable economic space.
“The Spanish energy system is unsustainable, costly and inefficient”
- Energy transition. The energy model is essential to reach a greater sustainability. The economic policies that are proposed from the institutions are essential to get the planned objectives in this field. The authors of the report indicate that the current Spanish energy model is unsustainable, costly and inefficient. For these reasons they ask to reach a state pact to get clear objectives in this matter that mitigate the climate change effects and that try to comply with the 2020 strategy of the European Union.
- Environmental integration. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) indicates that the supposed economic recovery in Spain can represent an opportunity to route the growth towards a sustainable model. Still, the growth can strengthen the field of industry and even so its negative effects on the environment. To avoid these risks, policies should be addressed to mitigate the consequences and promoting alternatives based on innovation.
- Sustainable employment. A model promoting the most qualified human resources for the new challenges that the current context can generate suitable jobs in a sustainable economic system. Innovation and research are the pillars for the creation of job opportunities.
- Urban and rural sustainability. One of the objectives of the reference frameworks established by the European Union is territorial cohesion. A joint network between different territories will allow for efficiently applying the proposals at a national level. Likewise, cities are the main emission points of polluting gases, so urban processes require special attention in this matter. Even though cities become essential, policies should not forget the rural spaces, which are vital for environmental progress.
