MDG Seven in Thailand
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Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability |
Target 9: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources
Scorecard for Thailand: Target potentially achievable
Target 10: Halve by 2015 the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation
Scorecard for Thailand: Target already achieved
Target 11: By 2020 to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers (globally)
Scorecard for Thailand: Target likely
Balancing economic growth with environment is one of Thailand’s greatest challenges. Thailand is party to key international treaties, has enacted important national environmental laws, and has integrated environmental concerns into national policies and programmes. Although there have been encouraging signs that the rate of forest degradation, water contamination, air pollution and other instances of environmental damage have slowed, this improvement is still inadequate to offset the accelerating rate of growth and resource depletion. A policy package is needed to promote sustainable development, including a shift from a natural resource and production-based economy to a knowledge-based economy; a better environmental governance system based on a well-informed public; and more stringent enforcement of existing environment laws.