What are the
Sustainable
Development?
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What is sustainable development?
The term “sustainable development” first came to prominence in
the World Conservation Strategy (WCS) in 1980.
It achieved a new status with the publication of two significant
reports by Brundtland on: North and South: a program for survival and
common crisis (1985) and
Our Common Future (1983) and has gained even greater
attention since the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Jenero in June 1992.
What is development?
Generally, Development is the gradual growth of a situation
that becomes more advanced and strong than previous one.
Development is intended to bring a positive change for human
being and its surroundings. Development may take place by
bringing about a change in policy, projects and legislation.
Development is an unfolding/revealing of human potentials
for meaningful participation in economic, social, political and
cultural process and institutions, so that people can improve
their conditions.
Sustainable Development
Improvement of Preserving Natural
Sustainable
Lifestyle and well resources and
Development
being ecosystem
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use
that aims to meet human needs while preserving the
environment so that these needs can be met not only
in the present, but also for future generations.
Sustainable development ties together concern for
the carrying capacity of natural systems with the
social challenges facing humanity.
Views on Sustainable Development:
It contains within it two concepts of needs, in particular the
essential needs of the world’s poor, to which over-riding priority
should be given; the idea of limitations imposed by the state of
technology and social organizations on the environment’s ability to
meet present and future needs.
The Brundtland Definition (1987)
“Sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs”
Brundtland’s report contains serious implications:
a concern about the relationship between resource use,
population growth and technological development and
advancement:
a concern about production and distribution of resources of
food, energy and industry amongst the developed, developing
and underdeveloped nations of the world;
a concern about uneven development about the gross
imbalance between the rich and poor nations, about economic
dominance and ideological differences and a concern about
environmental degradation and ecological
Concepts of Sustainable Development
1. Reviving growth
2. Changing the quality of growth
3. Meeting essential needs for jobs, food, energy water and
sanitation
4. Ensuring a sustainable level of population
5. Conserving and enhancing the resource base
6. Re-orienting technology and managing risks
7. Merging environment and economics in decision making
Sustainable development is more than just caring about the
environment, or generating money through economic growth.
The Pillars of SD
I t is the intersection of three pillars:
Environment, Economy, and Society
When we think of sustainable development we must think of a
system where the decisions taken ensure that every component
of the system – man, trees, environment, society, wealth, is
capable of flourishing without hindering the capacity of the
other component to do so, whether in the present or in the
future
The approach towards sustainable development should
encompass all aspects and take into consideration the fact
that everything is connected: across generations and
across countries (and communities etc)
● This may seem daunting – how do we keep track of
everything?
● But if we all understand the principles behind sustainable
development: principles such as equality, green living, social
progress, responsible consumption and so on, it is easy to
reach agreement about what sustainable development truly is,
and what conditions are necessary to achieve it.
Economic Social
Environment
• Opportunities for Participation and
growth inclusion of Protection of
• Increased GDP and ecosystem and
everyone
biosphere
benefits Eradication of Increased quality of
• System stability poverty and air, land & water
and security exclusion Better management of
• Green jobs, Food security waste & pollution
eradication of Equitable Respect & protection
unemployment distribution of for all species – flora,
• Prevention of resources fauna, marine species
practices which Better life chances Measures to ensure
misuse resources resource
and opportunities
sustainability and
• Regulation of over- Protection from harmony
exploitation and exploitative Protection of marine
harmful activities resources
externalities
The economic pillar is often made to be the strongest or even
the only pillar in “development”. To ensure economic
development and sustainability at the same time, we need to
look at issues such as:
Fair trade
Debt eradication
Putting in place mechanisms which ensure that
everyone gets their due reward
That corporations, industries and governments or Industries do
not use up resources and put a strain on the environment
The Social Pillar
Health: everyone having access to healthcare and leading healthy
lifestyles, and diseases (such as HIV) being eradicated
Education: everyone, esp. girls and people from poor background
having access to education
Equality: everyone should be equal, and not be discriminated against
because they do not have the same resources or wealth as others, or
because they are a girl or belong to a specific community etc.
Peace: many of us may take peace for granted; however, last
year, over 30 conflicts and wars around the world were taking
place and lack of security
is a very real issue for a lot of youth.
Food security, technology and communication,
equal opportunities etc
The environment pillar of sustainable development is crucial; once we
understand that the resources that the planet offers are finite it becomes
clear that current methods of consumption are using up more resources than
the planet can afford.
Examples of how human activities have altered the planet are:
Climate change and global warming
Human activities and choices (esp use of fossil fuels!) have released huge
amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, which are naturally
trapped by our ozone layer – thus contributing to the “greenhouse effect”
and global warming. This has in turn led to changes in weather patterns,
more dramatic and destructive natural occurrences, drying up of water
resources and melting of polar icecaps – themselves contributing to the rise
in sea levels.
Deforestation
Humans have destroyed huge amounts of trees to make place for
agriculture, construction, industry, and to use as resources eg for
making paper or houses. This has had a huge impact on the planet
as trees are not only a huge sink of the planet’s CO2, but they also
provide “ecosystem services” such as preventing erosion,
harbouring countless species and so on
Many conflicting views of sustainable development believe that it
is actually anti-growth and anti-wealth. On the contrary, SD is
about balance and a holistic approach to development. This
means that some things need to be preserved and sustained while
others should be given the incentive to be developed.
~What more could be added to this list?~
~What can be improved? What things need to be protected?~
What needs to be What needs to be
sustained developed
People and cultures Quality of life
Natural Resources Justice and social
equality
Biodiversity
Equal opportunity
Environment and Institutions
Ecosystems Culture of sustainability
Fair income
Dialogue and
Communication
What is your Role in Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development requires the active involvement
of all stakeholders: governments, NGOs, private sector
but also civil society. It is not just politicians, or policy
makers, who decide what SD should be like. The most
important stakeholder in SD is YOU!
You have to remind policy-makers to make decisions
which protect your future: you can remind them that
you want better jobs, cleaner cities, more equitable
resource distribution, and above all, a guarantee that
your future is secure, full of opportunities, a pleasant
world to live in and a healthy planet.
As for Young People
Sustainable development is especially important for
young people! The implementation of sustainable
development policies going into effect now will
determine the future which we will inherit tomorrow!
Because it is youth who will inherit this planet, by
advocating for sustainable development, and adopting
sustainable practices, you are actively participating in
shaping your own future.
Making those Decisions…
The challenge is to devise policies which balance economic
growth, environmental protection, and social equality and which
look at the long term, but as long as you stick to the core
principles, this is possible!
Established Indicators must be used to measure progress of
sustainable development policies, so you can evaluate if more
needs to be done! Thus, you need to think outside the box, and
think about others, and view your contribution as part of a system,
where you are helping SD policies achieve goals that are beneficial
to everyone including the planet.
Sources: M. A. Kamal, Ph.D Director General National Academy for Planning and Development
https://www.slideshare.net/EOTOWorld/sustainable-development-webinar-series-12326815 https://www.slideshare.net/farha451288/sustainable-development-l-01
What are the
Sustainable
Development
Goals (SDGs)?
