War and economic sanctions may set global sustainable development back for years to come

Photo by Andrey Zvyagintsev on Unsplash

This is a reflection on the impacts of the ongoing European-American crisis on global sustainable development. These will be significant, far-reaching, and severe. Amidst the human tragedy inflicted upon the Ukrainian people that culminated from the Russian military invasion of Ukraine and the economic sanctions imposed on Russia by Western countries following the invasion, we see the international trend towards a global and sustainable world order stall. And possibly it has been set back for years.

We will address some of the adverse effects on global sustainable development below and on ESG and sustainability as principles bringing order, stability, peace, and justice. They will cost humanity dearly, undoubtedly much more than the current price spikes for fuels, energy, and food.

Competition for resources sacrifices cooperation towards sustainability
It is especially bitter that after two years of international cooperation across the globe to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, major political, economic, and military co-operatives have now begun to wage aggressive war (Russia) and supply armaments and military equipment next to impose economic sanctions (Western countries, EU, USA, amongst others). The latter may exacerbate conflict by prolonging the war whilst. being insufficient to turn it or to end it to end the destruction of human life and property.

Perhaps it is the natural and unavoidable ambiguity of humanity to build prosperous families, communities, and nations whilst eliminating others or dehydrating them by cutting others off from international trade, resources, as well as from economic, developmental, social, cultural, and scientific cooperation. This seems incompatible with capitalist and development economics beliefs that free trade and economic growth for all is the best way to create and maintain prosperous and economic relationships as well as guarantee conditions for sustainable development.

Sustainable Development Goals put on back burner
The current aggressive war being waged and the economic sanctions imposed certainly are not compatible with the charter of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) embraced by the governments of all countries involved in the…