Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space: Role of Sustainable Development Goals and Its Legal Consequences
Kumar V, Raju KD and Subramanian SR
Published on: 2023-10-23
Abstract
Celestial bodies have always been part of the process of volatile natural phenomena. The problem of collusion and encroaching paths of each other and interference of comets and dust has been a forming part of space debris. Things have become riskier with humans' entry. This has generated a genuine apprehension of damage to the adverse environment of outer space. In this connection, UNCOPUOS has been working on the agenda of sustainable space. In 2010, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of UNCOPUOS created a Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities to develop a consolidated set of voluntary, non-binding guidelines for the States, international organizations, and private entities to ensure sustainable space. In this regard, the partnership of Avio (an Italian aerospace company) with UNOOSA concluded during the 74th Session of the UNGA on September 23, 2019, aimed at making outer space more accessible, especially to developing countries, is a welcome step.
In this connection, the present paper discusses various aspects of sustainable space, including the possible applicability of the SDGs to outer space. Part one of the paper introduces the concept of sustainable development. It also highlights the global environmental protection regime and its politics. Part two of the paper canvases the role of space (technologies) in achieving the SDGs. Part three of the paper explores the question “whether SDGs include space in them or not." If not, how can the idea of “sustainable space” be achieved? There, the authors explain the need for sustainable space and the discussion happening around it. In Part 4, the authors conclude by arguing for an evolving regime for sustainable space and resisting committing the same mistake that we did to the earth environment.
Keywords
Outer Space; Sustainable Space; SDGs; EnvironmentIntroduction
The World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) broadly divided states into three categories: developed economies, economies in transition, and developing economies, on the basis of certain economic parameters [1]. Generally, these groupings at the negotiating table are understood as two groups: developed countries and developing countries. Normally, in any international negotiation, the divide in approach has been apparent between these two groups. Highlighting the reasons and emphasizing this divide, R. P. Anand states:
“Our world is dominated by a complex and tragic division. One part of mankind has undergone a revolution of modernization by making tremendous progress in the sphere of science and technology and presenting a pattern of great and increasing wealth. Most of mankind, however, has benefitted little from the scientific and technological miracles and is yet to achieve economic and social momentum. Their old traditional world is dying; the new, radical world is not yet born; and the gap between the rich and the poor has become all the more evident and intolerable."[2].
Such strain has special significance in environmental negotiations. Most of the international environmental law, in the form of “soft law” mechanisms, reflects on its face. Yet, it is clear from the natural calamities and catastrophes of the recent past that environmental impact and climate change can adversely affect people across boundaries, irrespective of their developmental status.
There has been an immense attempt to reconcile the strain of these levels of economic attainment in protecting the environment. In this regard, a conceptual understanding has been built around the idea of “sustainable development.” The term has been consistently used in contemporary “political and environmental discourses” [3]. Precisely speaking, the aim of sustainable development “is the long-term stability of the economy and environment” [4].
Evolutionary Journey of the Concept of Sustainable Development
The problem of measuring development based on economic growth and elements of sustainable development has been highlighted by various economic theorists, namely Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Malthus, Ricardo, and Mill [5]. Mainly after the 1950s onwards, the population residing in the north and west of the planet started questioning the model of development guided by technology, and their harmful effects were becoming visible [3]. This concern led to the formation of people's movements to maintain a balance between development and a pristine environment [6]. The idea of “sustainable development" is getting mentioned in the areas of forestry, measures of afforestation, and “harvesting of interconnected forests, which should not undermine the biological renewal of forests” [5]. In 1980, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) published the Nature Conservation and Natural Resources Strategy, which used the term “sustainable development” [5].
In 1983, the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) was established, which came up with a report in 1987 titled “Our Common Future”, popularly known as the “Brundtland Report” after the name of the Commission’s Chairperson, Gro Harlem Brundtland. The report suggested the guiding principles for sustainable development. It also took note of emerging global environmental problems that “were primarily the result of the enormous poverty of the South and the non-sustainable patterns of consumption and production in the North” [7]. The report also asserted three basic components of sustainable development: environment, economy, and society [8]. In order to protect the environment, we shall “conserve and enhance our resource base by gradually changing the ways in which we develop and use technologies” [8]. The report is divided into three parts, namely: part one highlights the “common concerns” that threaten the future. Part two of the report explains the various “common challenges” that we face on planet Earth in terms of environmental significance and development. Part three talks about “common endeavors” that are required in “managing the commons”. One of the “commons” mentioned is "space,” and the report suggests that managing space is key to managing the planet Earth.
Today outer space technologies contribute positively in various activities on earth (inward uses). Satellites have helped us in enhanced telecommunication, navigation, remote sensing, and meteorology [9]. The satellite technologies are also being used in various military and security related concerns as well. There are various upward uses of these technologies too, such as tourists’ launches, exploratory missions, mining of celestial bodies, colonies and bases outside the earth atmosphere. Mainly the inwards uses of such technologies has helped and has potential to significantly contribute in the preservation and protection of the earth environment. It can, thereby, help us in achieving the concept of sustainable development. The concept has become the core of the developmental/economic policies of the states in the contemporary time. The preservation of natural resources for the succeeding generations is key philosophy in guiding the global and national legal frameworks. The concept has positively impacted the environmental governance especially.
In this connection, to enhance and strengthen sustainable growth, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution titled “United Nations Millennium Declaration” in the year 2000 [10]. The Declaration contained eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), six indicators, and twenty-one targets to monitor the progress made thereon [11]. These eight goals were: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development.
One-eighty-nine states undertook the task of eliminating extreme poverty by 2015. Though the goals could not be achieved completely, substantial progress was made by the end of 2015 [12]. To accelerate the implementation of the unfinished agendas of the MDGs and to deal more comprehensively and holistically, the UNGA adopted a new resolution that replaces the MDGs in 2015 [13]. The resolution conceptualized the idea of “sustainable development” concretely [14]. It was titled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" and contained seventeen goals [Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also called ‘Global Goals’] composed of one-sixty-nine targets and two-thirty-two indicators. These goals are as follows [14]:
- End poverty in all its forms everywhere;
- End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture;
- Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages;
- Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all;
- Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls;
- Ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all;
- Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all;
- Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all;
- Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
- Reduce inequality within and among countries;
- Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
- Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns;
- Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development;
- Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems; sustainably manage forests; combat desertification; halt and reverse land degradation; and halt biodiversity loss.
- Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels; and
- Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.
The commitment is to achieve the SDGs by 2030. It has now become the major guiding force in the policy-making of economic and environmental aspects in various countries. The SDGs are “an integrated framework of human, social, and environmental development objectives” [15].
Space for SDGs
Since the early days of space activities, the UN has understood and recognized the importance of space technologies that can play a significant role in improving lives on earth [16]. The history of this recognition goes back to the first UNISPACE I Conference 1968, held from August 27–28 that focused on “raising awareness of the vast potential of space benefits for all humankind” [17]. The Conference suggested creating an Expert on Space Applications within the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), which laid the foundation of the UNOOSA Programme on Space Applications in 1971. The program planned for trainings and workshops on the usage of space technology in areas of “telecommunications, environmental monitoring and weather forecasting, remote sensing for disaster mitigation and management, agricultural and forestry development, cartography, geology, and other resource development applications" [17] Subsequently, UNISPACE II was called on August 9–21, 1982, and was attended by 94 member states and 45 intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. UNISPACE II led to the strengthening of the UNOOSA Programme on Space Applications, focusing on “opportunities for developing countries to participate in educational and training activities in space science and technology and to develop their indigenous capabilities in the use of space technology applications” [17].The UNISAPCE III – most apt conference with regard to the concept of sustainable development was held on 19 to 30 July 1999. The conference was attended by 97 Member States, 9 UN specialized agencies and 15 intergovernmental organizations. The highlights of the conference is constructive for the protection of earth and space environment. It was themed “Space benefits for humanity in the twenty-first century.” These primary objectives were to [17]:
- Protect the global environment and manage natural resources;
- Increase the use of space applications for human security, development, and welfare;
- Protect the space environment;
- Increase developing countries’ access to space science and its benefits.
The UNISPACE III conference adopted the “Space Millennium: Vienna Declaration on Space and Human Development” (Vienna Declaration), which contained 33 recommendations as a strategy to address the emerging challenges in space activities.
After five years of UNISPACE III, the COPUOS reviewed the implementation of the 33 recommendations of the Vienna Declaration. It was anticipated and expected that the recommendations of UNISPACE III would support achieving the MDGs of the UN. Parts III and IV of the 2004 Review Report highlighted the progress made in implementing the recommendations. Part IV specifically highlighted the synergy between the recommendations of UNISPACE III and the UN MDGs. It was stressed that the Vienna Declaration holds the “nucleus of a strategy to address global challenges in the future.” [18] Many recommendations from the Declaration were key to achieving the objectives of the MDGs [18]. The detailed analysis of the UNGA resolution titled “Review of the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space” makes it intrinsically clear that the emphasis on space technologies has been much relied upon in order to achieve various aspects of sustainable development.
Again, the replacement of MDGs with new global goals (SDGs) of the UN has been reemphasized by UNOOSA. Various initiatives were taken by the office to align with the SDGs. The UN also confirmed that Earth Observations (EO) and geolocation play significant roles in achieving the SDGs [19]. Space technologies have an immense role in understanding the earth's environment and climate change. Early warnings with regard to weather have proved to be blessings in saving lives and properties. Space technologies also help in obtaining and accessing data about the earth, which helps policymakers "understand trends, evaluate needs, and create sustainable development policies and programs in the best interest of all populations” [20]. Much before the SDGs were set by the UN, the Committee to the Commission on Sustainable Developments (CSD) recognized the contribution of the UNCOPUOS in supporting the CSD objectives of sustainable development. Likewise, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) and other high-level political forums before 2015 have highlighted the role of space technologies that are important for sustainable development [21].
Soon after the adoption of the SDGs, a realignment and reemphasis were placed on the role of space technologies in achieving the goals. The backdrop report of the Expert on Space Applications canvases the role that space will play in achieving 2030 goals. The report was adopted by the UNGA in 2014 [22]. The major focus of the report was on the application of space science and technologies in environmental monitoring and management of natural resources. In the post-2015 developmental agenda, the role of space science and technologies was reiterated. Sustainable development became the voice of the global community and pervasively guided the policy-making of almost all countries in the world. It was well understood that economic development cannot remain the key to enhancing the standards of living of people. The concept of sustainable development cannot remain in the theory alone or in the reports. The global goals, by way of the SDGs, got recognition as a voice for the international community to achieve. States gave promises and undertakings to achieve sustainable development, factoring economic development, social development, and environmental protection all together.
In this regard, the COPUOS also adopted various resolutions to prioritize the agendas of the SDGs. The Committee adopted a resolution titled “Rio+20 and Beyond: Toward the Post-2015 Development Agenda” on February 2–13, 2015 [23]. The resolution was adopted on the agenda "Space technology for socioeconomic development in the context of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development and the post-2015 development agenda” [23]. Taking into consideration the SDGs and targets, the Committee also adopted a resolution on a work plan to develop a cooperative mechanism on space for sustainable development. The resolution was titled “Revised Draft Proposed Work Plan for a Mechanism of Cooperative Deliberation for “Space and Sustainable Development: Bridging COPUOS and STSC" [24]. The resolution presented the “Draft Proposed Work Plan” in line with the UN conviction of “the need to promote the use of space technology towards implementing the United Nations Millennium Declaration and contributing to the post-2015 development agenda process." [24]. The work plan for this phase 2014–2015 was devoted “to promote the reflection of the contribution of space technology in the documents relating to the follow-up to Rio+20 and the formulation of the post-2015 development agenda” [24]. Phase two of 2016–2017 was kept by the work plan for analysis of the contributions made by the member states. The Member States are supposed to consider the “new global agenda” placed under the “Scientific and Technical Subcommittee on Space Technology for Socioeconomic Development in the context of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development and the post-2015 development agenda, and the agenda item of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space on Space and Sustainable Development” [24]. Member States are also encouraged “to provide, during the sessions of the Committee and the Subcommittee, information regarding the contributions of space technologies to implementing global development processes and the international mechanisms being used for cooperation among States and international organizations” [24]. Phase 3 (2018–2019) is set for drafting recommendations on harnessing space technology for the attainment of the new global development agenda [24].
In addition to these resolutions, the Committee also adopted two more resolutions on the same issue of SDGs on June 10, 2015. One is titled “The United Nations/Germany International Conference on Earth Observation: Global Solutions for the Challenges of Sustainable Development in Societies at Risk” [25]. Another article titled “Update on the recent developments in the context of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development and the Post-2015 Development Agenda: Zero Draft of the Outcome Document for the United Nations Summit to Adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda” [26] The first resolution was also adopted by the UNGA as a resolution on August 28, 2015, with the same title [27]. The resolution retained the outcome of the conference to enable participants [27]:
- To learn about space-based applications and solutions developed in recent years to contribute to disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, and climate change mitigation and adaptation; (b) To network and exchange views and lessons learned with representatives of a variety of countries, regional and international institutions, and the private sector; and (c) To explore how best to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the space community to contribute to its activities.”
In addition, the Conference enabled the UNOOSA and DLR [German Aerospace Centre]:
- To collect a variety of suggestions and recommendations made by experts with regard to the use of space-based applications and solutions aimed at disaster risk reduction, sustainable development and climate change mitigation and adaptation; (b) To facilitate the coordination of global efforts undertaken by the space community to contribute to implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030; (c) To promote the use of Earth observation to track and identify ways to assess extreme climatic events affecting sustainable development efforts worldwide; and (d) To identify ways in which Earth observation can be used specifically to contribute to the implementation of the new sustainable development framework and to track progress towards the various targets that that framework establishes.”
The resolution also came with various recommendations “with regard to disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, climate change, and cross-cutting issues” [27].
In 2019, the UNGA also adopted a resolution on the report submitted by the COPUOS STSC on the agenda and implementation of "Space 2030" [28]. The report signifies that:
“The “Space2030” agenda and implementation plan are submitted by the Committee to the General Assembly as a comprehensive, visionary, and forward-looking strategy for reaffirming and strengthening the contribution of space activities and space tools to the achievement of global agendas, addressing long-term sustainable development concerns of humankind. It also contributes to charting the future contribution of the Committee to the global governance of outer space activities [based on applicable international law] [28].
A further revised draft was adopted by the COPUOS STSC in 2020 on the submission of a working paper by the Bureau of the Working Group on the "Space 2030" Agenda [29].
SDGs for Space?
It is now well understood that the achievement of SDG targets and indicators depends very much on the usage of space science and technologies [30]. Yet a pertinent question arises here: since space plays a major role in our planetary balances and helps sustain lives on earth, why should we not talk about sustainable space? Since the activities in outer space are increasing day by day and space is “busier like never before”, this is the right time to talk about preserving the pristine environment of space. We should deliberate on this now itself; otherwise, it will reach the point of no-looking-back. In this regard, a very hard-hitting question on human greed (sic) was raised to a high-level panel of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) that “is a space-related objective missing from the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015." [31]? It is evident from the SDGs, targets, and indicators that the current global goals do not include the idea of sustainable space. The high-level panel also expressed deep concern that "we want space to be accessible to human activity, but we don’t want a Wild West” [31]. It was affirmed that “space forms part of our daily lives” and “countries must agree on how to protect space while encouraging technical progress” [31]. In this context, there are ongoing deliberations to incorporate the 18th Goal in the SDGs to include sustainable space [32]. Though it is not clear about placing space sustainability as an 18th SDG, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mani Pandey, stressed that “whether or not space sustainability is ever adopted as an 18th SDG, countries must collaborate” and continue with international cooperation for effective space governance [31].
Sustainable Space
Sustainable space is beneficial for us all in many ways. As discussed above, space science and technologies help improve human lives on earth. It is also required to be maintained in the context of planetary balances. It is also significant for increased activities in outer space. Thus, it is important to give consideration to environmental protection while indulging in any activities in outer space. This has been a point of concern for a long time. The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) was created by the International Council of Scientific Unions in 1958 itself to address the concern of the space environment [32]. In various resolutions of the UNGA and the treaties on outer space, it has been emphasised that a peaceful, conflict-free, and “space for all” depends much on international cooperation and the sustainable environment of outer space for long-term exploration. However, there are a number of threats that need to be addressed in order to have sustainable space, such as the mitigation of space debris, anti-satellite tests, militarization and weaponization of outer space, rising commercial activities, including mining and tourism in space, and traffic congestion.
In this regard, the concept of the long-term sustainability of outer space was perceived by Karl Doestsch during the 2004 UNCOPUOS speech [32]. On the same issue, in 2007, Gerard Brachet produced a white paper [33]. In 2008, the French delegation made a proposal to add'sustainability' to the agenda of the UNCOPUOS. In this way, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) established a Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities (LTSOSA) in 2010 [33]. The terms of reference of the LTSOSA were adopted at the fifty-fourth session of the UNCOPUOS in 2011 under the chair of Peter Martinez for the period of 2011–2014 [34].
The Working Group did holistic and comprehensive work on “current practices, operating procedures, technical standards, and policies associated with the long-term sustainability of outer space activities throughout all the phases of a mission life cycle” [34]. It also explored the existing legal framework in the outer space treaties and governing principles. However, it is important to note that the Working Group was not tasked with developing new legal instruments and binding obligations [34]. Yet the Working Group came up with guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space, which are “voluntary, non-binding” that states and intergovernmental organisations could apply while entering into space activities [34]. Four expert groups were created to work on specific issues and develop guidelines: A. sustainable space utilisation supporting sustainable development on Earth; B. space debris, space operations, and tools to support space situational awareness sharing; C. space weather; and D. regulatory regimes and guidance for new actors in the space arena [33].
The expert groups submitted a draft containing 33 guidelines, of which eight focused on the development of policies and practices for sustainable space and four emphasised international cooperation on the long-term sustainability of outer space [33]. The Working Group chair, Peter Martinez, looked into 33 draft guidelines and omitted the overlap by containing only 18 guidelines [33]. In 2016, the COPUOS agreed on the first 12 guidelines and submitted a report to the UNGA [35]. Again, in 2018, the COPUOS further added nine more guidelines. [36] In this way, the LTSOSA is currently composed of 21 guidelines: "a collection of internationally recognised measures for ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space activities and for enhancing the safety of space operations” [34]. The guidelines have been categorised into four heads:
- Policy and regulatory framework for space activities: Guidelines A.1 – Adopt, revise and amend, as necessary, national regulatory frameworks for outer space activities. Guidelines A.2 – Consider a number of elements when developing, revising or amending, as necessary, national regulatory frameworks for outer space activities. Guidelines A.3 – Supervise national space activities. Guidelines A.4 – Ensure the equitable, rational and efficient use of the radio frequency spectrum and the various orbital regions used by satellites. Guidelines A.5 – Enhance the practice of registering space objects.
- Safety of space operations: Guidelines B.1 – Provide updated contact information and share information on space objects and orbital events. Guidelines B.2 – Improve accuracy of orbital data on space objects and enhance the practice and utility of sharing orbital information on space objects. Guidelines B.3 – Promote the collection, sharing and dissemination of space debris monitoring information. Guidelines B.4 – Perform conjunction assessment during all orbital phases of controlled flight. Guidelines B.5 – Develop practical approaches for pre-launch conjunction assessment. Guidelines B.6 – Share operational space weather data and forecasts. Guidelines B.7 – Develop space weather models and tools and collect established practices on the mitigation of space weather effects. Guidelines B.8 – Design and operation of space objects regardless of their physical and operational characteristics. Guidelines B.9 – Take measures to address risks associated with the uncontrolled re-entry of space objects. Guidelines B.10 – Observe measures of precaution when using sources of laser beams passing through outer space.
- International cooperation, capacity-building and awareness: Guidelines C.1 – Promote and facilitate international cooperation. Guidelines C.2 – Share experience related to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities and develop new procedures, as appropriate, for information exchange. Guidelines C.3 – Promote and support capacity-building. Guidelines C.4 – Raise awareness of space activities.
- Scientific and technical research and development: Guidelines D.1 – Promote and support research into and the development of ways to support sustainable exploration and use of outer space. Guidelines D.2 -Investigate and consider new measures to manage the space debris population in the long term” [37].
The Guidelines create non-binding obligations for states and intergovernmental organisations to follow. However, the guidelines of COPUOS are a significant step in achieving the long-term sustainability of outer space. Considering such a contribution, COPUOS has initiated the next phase of LTSOSA discussions in COPUOS, LTS 2.0 [37]. The Committee in the 2019 session decided to continue with the LTSOSA dialogue and review the implementation of it [38]. It also decided to establish a working group with a five-year work plan under the STSC to deliberate on the LTSOSA.
Additionally, to achieve LTS, “norms of behaviour” or the “code of conduct” for states could also prove significant. In developing those standards of behaviour, the COPUOS in 2019 emphasised developing the protocols for “norms of behaviour” [39]. The paper framed significant issues such as long-term sustainability, security, debris, and space situational awareness, the importance of cross-cultural communication, and risks and attribution as areas of concern. Thus, the elements of “norms of behaviour” were divided into four focus areas by the conference. These are: 1. launch; 2. debris mitigation and management; 3. space situational awareness; and 4. in-orbit operations. Based on various considerations and questions, the conference agreed on the veracity of the recommendations [38].
Simultaneously, the Committee also came up with an "Space 2030" idea similar to the SDGs and submitted a report to the UNGA [40]. The resolution was titled “The “Space2030” agenda and the global governance of outer space activities,” which explained in detail about "Space2030" and also disclosed the first UN space summit of the twenty-first century, UNISPACE+50, to celebrate the 50 years of UNISPACE to be held on June 20–21, 2018 [40]. "Space “2030” contains various action items that need to be taken. Such as increasing member states of the COPUOS to 120 by 2030 to strengthen the space activities and evolve tools to achieve the goals. The resolution also mandated the COPUOS to review the implementation of "Space “2030” in 2025 and submit the report to the UNGA. The UNGA also undertook the idea to declare 2025 the “International Year of Space” to “ensure that the broad societal benefits of space as an area of innovation, inspiration, interconnectedness, integration, and investment continue to be experienced beyond the landmark year 2030" [40]The Committee also took a progress report from the Working Group on "Space 2030." A working paper was submitted by the Bureau of the Working Group on the agenda and implementation plan on February 13, 2020 [41].
The UNISPACE+50 Symposium was held on June 18–21, 2018 in Vienna, Austria. The symposium discussed the future of international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space [42]. A special high-level segment of the 61st session of the COPUOS was also conducted on June 20–21. The High-Level Panel recognised the four pillars of “space economy, space society, space accessibility, and space diplomacy” [42].
Conclusion
It is well understood that the survival of human lives on earth cannot be sustained any longer with sheer ignorance of environmental issues and climate change. At the same time, it is also an undeniable fact that the standard of living can be raised only with the due concerns posed to the sustainable aspects of development rather than exploiting nature without thinking about future generations. It has been accepted and realised by the world community that, in order to protect the environment and achieve the SDGs, the role of space technologies is inevitable.
Since there is an increased number of outer space activities, the space environment has become vulnerable and susceptible to harming the pristine weather of outer space. It is the right time to talk about the protection of the space environment. There are various efforts being taken by the Committee, such as Space2030, Debris Mitigation Policies, and LTSOSA Guidelines. Much more in the form of a binding regime is required to be done. A long-term sustainable space means more sustainable lives on earth.
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