Sustainable development (SD) is an approach that seeks to meet human needs without damaging Earth’s ability to regenerate itself, taking into account economic, social, and environmental considerations in its approach. It encompasses economic, social, and environmental elements of development.
Every aspect of society plays a vital role in creating sustainability: individuals drive consumer demand and influence business practices; governments implement policies and regulations; while financial sectors provide resources necessary for these efforts to succeed.
Principles
Sustainable development encompasses an expansive set of issues and principles. Its overall goal is to balance economic, social and environmental goals while offering all people equal chances to live well and reach their full potential – as well as protecting biodiversity and protecting Earth’s ecosystems.
Sustainable development (SD) became mainstream following publication of Brundtland Commission report “Our Common Future” in 1987. SD can be defined as development that meets current needs without jeopardizing future generations’ ability to meet theirs – this definition remains at the core of contemporary thought and practice.
Governments should implement policies that ensure economic development fully aligns with Earth’s ecological processes, such as by applying the polluter-pays principle and supporting equitable access to economic growth and development for low-income and fragile countries. This may involve adopting measures like polluter-pays or fair pay as solutions.
Goals
The world has limited resources that must be managed efficiently in order to achieve sustainable development. Human needs cannot exceed natural environment protection measures; natural capital like water, clean air, soil and biodiversity cannot be replaced and should therefore be preserved and conserved.
Sustainable development’s goals are to reduce poverty and hunger across its various forms, promote decent work and economic growth, ensure gender equality, provide adequate health systems and quality education, decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, protect oceanic and terrestrial ecosystems as well as protect them all through global partnership efforts. To meet its targets successfully.
Education on sustainability and encouraging people to practice responsible economic, social and environmental behavior is of utmost importance, requiring continuous efforts by governments, businesses and civil society organisations alike. To this end, Bertelsmann Stiftung and Sustainable Development Solutions Network have unveiled an SDG Tracker which allows users to compare performance across countries in meeting each of 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Targets
Sustainable development first emerged in 1987 with the publication of Our Common Future by the World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Report). Its definition: “development that meets people’s needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs” provided a useful conceptual basis for contemporary thinking and practice.
In order to promote sustainable development, governments should prioritize economic growth that fully aligns with ecological processes on earth. They should also abide by production and consumption policies which adhere to the polluter-pays principle, so those responsible for pollution bear their costs directly rather than passing them onto others or future generations.
Individuals can contribute by conserving electricity by unplugging appliances; purchasing energy-efficient ones; using recycled paper instead of regular paper; and reporting online bullying. Companies can contribute by adopting the Ten Principles of the Global Compact into their strategies and operations, and by building sustainability awareness into their business culture.
Implementation
Sustainable development is an enormous task affecting global and local communities alike, yet its implementation remains difficult to define and agree upon due to its different interpretations and implications; for instance, strong sustainability does not see technological solutions as key in solving environmental problems and stresses lifestyle changes as necessary; in contrast weaker forms believe more in technological solutions for resource and pollution issues.
It is vital that, to achieve sustainable development successfully, a framework be put in place for monitoring and reviewing progress at national level. Such monitoring systems should be voluntary, country-led and respect policy space. They should draw upon official data sources with an approach focused on protecting vulnerable nations such as landlocked developing states, small island developing states or those transitioning post conflict situations; long-term perspective should also be maintained with regards to achievements, challenges gaps or critical success factors identified over time.