Sustainable development involves creating a better future while protecting current and future generations’ wellbeing. It includes striking a balance between economic development, environmental protection and social progress to achieve this end.
The Global Goals for Sustainable Development adopted in 2015 are ambitious yet inclusive and seek to end poverty, reduce inequality and protect natural resources on earth. They represent a vision for change.
Definition
Sustainable development is an approach to economic and environmental policy which emphasizes long-term benefits. Its roots lie in modern natural resource management practices, 20th-century conservation efforts and environmentalism movements, as well as progressive perspectives of economic development.
The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides 17 comprehensive goals designed to create global equity while protecting ecosystems. However, challenges still exist: poverty remains widespread with over 800 million living in extreme poverty; climate records keep breaking; and an ever increasing portion of GDP goes toward servicing debt service payments.
Create effective sustainability policies requires collaboration among businesses, governments and consumers. Companies can prioritise ethical and sustainable business practices such as responsible forestry that protects biodiversity and communities, while consumers can support sustainability through everyday choices like purchasing certified sustainable products or using less energy. Together these actions can bring global sustainable development goals closer to reality while creating real change through showcasing solutions to address everyday challenges in their lives.
Goals
Sustainable development is at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by UN member states in 2015 with 17 goals and 169 targets that seeks to create an international society free from hunger, extreme poverty and unequal access to quality health care and education services. Sustainable development also strives to ensure responsible use of natural resources while protecting against permanent damage to the environment.
Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) maintains a database that ranks countries on their progress toward their goals, as well as country-specific information such as percentage of children who are malnourished or whether laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexuality. With 234 indicators to track progress toward these goals, SDSN maintains its database to measure progress towards them.
Though we are far from meeting the Sustainable Development Goals by their 2030 target date, notable progress has been made. Poverty rates have dropped globally; deaths from malaria and other diseases are decreasing; access to electricity has grown; these are all indicators of progress toward meeting our SDGs.
Methods
Sustainable development seeks to meet present needs without jeopardizing future generations’ ability to do the same, such as by providing equitable access to healthcare and education services; limiting greenhouse gas emissions; decoupling economic growth from resource consumption.
Businesses can contribute to sustainable development by developing products and services to meet society’s needs, adhering to responsible supply chain practices and prioritising environmental sustainability. Consumers can help as well by choosing certified products, encouraging businesses to invest in renewable energy programs, or supporting those that adhere to fair labour practices.
The global environment faces numerous threats that threaten sustainable development, most notably climate instability which threatens people and ecosystems around the globe. Sustainable development initiatives can address this by supporting renewable energy production, building resilience to climate change adaptation, supporting sustainable agriculture practices and encouraging renewable energy use. International collaboration through agreements or initiatives such as United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is also vital in furthering sustainable development goals.
Results
Though billions have seen their lives improve through improvements in health, education and energy access, we still face significant obstacles in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Global temperatures have continued to increase while progress on eliminating neglected tropical diseases has been slow.
As our world faces new challenges, innovative solutions must be found that integrate people, planet and prosperity. Economic development must combine with environmental protection in order to combat climate change, stop biodiversity loss and ensure fair work conditions that reduce inequality.
Responsible forestry practices can contribute towards meeting all three of these goals by supporting social outcomes like livelihood security and cultural continuity while simultaneously improving environmental results such as reduced deforestation and carbon storage. FSC supports this vision with globally recognised standards and tools to enable companies to turn commitments into tangible progress – take a look at our work!