Sustainable development was introduced into mainstream conversation in 1987 through Brundtland Report (also referred to as Our Common Future). This document served as the basis for Sustainable Development Goals that were approved in 2015.
These goals aim to end poverty, reduce inequality and stop climate change by 2030; however, COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing climate disruptions, and rising geopolitical tensions have hampered progress towards meeting them.
Environmental Protection
Environmental protection is an integral component of sustainable development and a core concept in the 1992 Rio Declaration, which seeks “to promote sustained economic and social progress by all nations while taking into account the need to preserve and enhance ecological basis of life”.
Environment plays an essential role, from providing resources and absorbing waste to providing genetic diversity and scenic beauty and regulating climate. Most nations have laws in place to protect the environment; though each may implement them differently. Many use federal systems, with powers delegated among states, provinces, prefectures, counties cities towns villages.
Sustainability first made its mark public in 1987 through the World Commission on Environment and Development’s report Our Common Future (also known as Brundtland Report). This introduced the idea that human progress could take place while simultaneously safeguarding environmental concerns; yet this goal has proven difficult to attain.
Social Equity
Social equity is an essential component of sustainable development, ensuring everyone has access to equal resources, opportunities, and environmental protections. Social equity also involves working closely with communities to meet their individual needs – for instance a neighborhood affected by industrial pollution may need targeted investments in healthcare or environmental cleanup measures.
Environmentalism provides an effective counterweight to the idea that environmentalism, poverty and inequality are incompatible goals. But for it to work effectively, one must study in depth all of the complex power structures which create injustice while remaining committed to finding solutions.
There are encouraging signs that progress is possible. Companies are taking steps to foster diversity, equity and inclusion at work while many consumers are willing to pay premium prices for products with positive social and environmental impacts – trends which contribute significantly to driving forward the sustainable development agenda.
Economic Growth
Economic development is central to sustainable development, striving to meet present needs without undermining future generations’ ability to meet their own. This goal has been integrated into the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Uncontrolled economic growth can exacerbate environmental issues and hinder progress toward goals such as climate action or marine life protection. Furthermore, it can increase income inequality which runs counter to goals such as reduced inequalities or improved health and well-being.
Although there have been challenges associated with SDG progress since 2015, it has been encouraging. Poverty reduction, child mortality reduction and access to electricity have all seen improvements; women now hold more leadership roles and malaria/HIV infections have declined. But in order to meet 2030’s ambitious Global Goals it will require an unprecedented effort by governments, business, civil society and citizens alike – business can play a pivotal role by adopting responsible policies and contributing solutions for global issues that require urgent resolutions.
Human Health
Human health is an integral component of sustainable development, and human health aims to ensure people live healthy lives. To do this, various issues such as air pollution reduction and climate change risk mitigation need to be addressed as well as providing decent work, quality education and healthcare and responsible resource use promoted. Furthermore, this means respecting planetary boundaries as well as taking measures toward gender equality as well as ending poverty and hunger are needed for sustainability to take place.
As part of sustainable development, environmental changes must also take into account their effects on people and animals, including land development projects (deforestation), indoor air pollution from cooking fuels (which kills 2.5 million annually) and protecting biodiversity.
Many of these goals are interlinked and have significant ramifications on one another. The Brundtland Report Our Common Future in 1987 offered an accurate definition of sustainability as “development that meets current needs without jeopardizing future generations’ abilities to meet their own”. This statement serves as an accurate encapsulation of sustainable development.