Law and Policy for Sustainable Development

LAWS8068 – Law & Policy for Sustainable Development
Question 1 (350 words: 5 marks)
The sustainable development framework has remained a fundamental component for many institutions because it guides their guidelines and visions to be consistent with the outlined global 2030 objectives. According to OECD (2016), this tool has emerged as a progressive mechanism for shaping the development of other regulations, including policies and laws in different nations. It guides the policymakers on crucial components to ensure a country integrates the primary facets for achieving the collective global goals. Its integration demonstrates its suitability in influencing policies through policy coherence.
One of the greatest strengths of the sustainable development framework is that it ensures all policies integrate the four leading components of growth – social, governance, economic, and environmental dimensions. OECD (2016) considers the alignment of policies with these aspects as part of the coherence that makes them applicable in the local contexts while respecting similar growth in other international areas. For instance, the “Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC)” in Australia integrates these elements while outlining the conservation dynamics in the nation (WWF-Australia 2022). The policy seeks to promote improved interactions with the environment and better economic prowess for the country. This policy demonstrates that it will stimulate collaborations throughout the various economic, environmental, and social policy realms for the involved parties. Such aspects illustrate the influence of the sustainable development model in its formulation.
The other influence of this framework is that it enables policy development to occur by recognizing the diversity and the responsibility of diverse stakeholders. Such an aspect is critical for allowing the different players to identify the unique trade-offs to promote seamless interaction and implementation of policies for the benefit of all involved sides (OECD 2016). Moreover, this understanding enables the policymakers to reconcile competing interests, improving coordination. This influence has led to progressive pacts between states, including the EPBC, that streamline environmental protection between diverse Australian states. Thus, the numerous strategic and guiding benefits of using a sustainable development framework in policy formulation affirm its suitability for continued use.
Question 2 (350 words: 5 marks)
Sustainable development hinges on the seamless interactions between different institutions. The United Nations Development Programme (2017) states that a single player, whether a government or an organization, remains inadequate to advance diverse visions of sustainable development. For progress to occur, various stakeholders must collaborate and coordinate, collate efforts, and support each other. Such an aspect highlights the value of coherence in implementing policies, programs, and other activities. Thus, the different government levels, including the federal, state, and local, are all fundamental to the progress toward sustainable development.
Coordination and collaboration between the various levels of governmen...