CONCEPTS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

 Development Vs Environment
 Defining Sustainable Development
 Illustrating Sustainable Development
 Concepts of Sustainable Development
 Agenda 21
 Sustainable Development and Everyone
 Indicators of Sustainable Development
 Sustainable Development – The Indian Scenario

Development Vs Environment

 Sustainable development is said to ‘meet the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’(United Nations World
Commission on Environment and Development, Brundtland Report, 1987).

 Goodland and Ledec define sustainable development as, ‘a pattern of social and
structural economic transformation (i.e. development) which optimises the economic and
other societal benefits available in the present without jeopardising the likely potential for
similar benefits in the future.’

 Barbier and Markandya (1990) emphasise the processes rather than the aims: ‘in
general, the wider objective of sustainable development is to find the optimal level of
interaction among three systems – the biological and resource system, the economic
system and the social system, through a dynamic and adaptive process of trade-offs.’

The concept of sustainable development is a process of consensus-based decision

making in which the impact of economic activities (the economy) the environment (ecosystems),
and the health (well-being) of society are integrated and balanced, without compromising the
ability of present and future generations to meet their needs, so that all three - the economy, the
environment, and the health of society - can be sustained into the future

Pictorial Descriptions
Concepts of sustainable development
• Use renewable resources at a rate that can be maintained over time.
• Gradually reduce reliance on and limit the release of toxic substances that do not readily
break down in nature
• Use all resources as efficiently and fairly as possible so that present and future
generations can meet their needs.
• Reflect the inter dependence of social, economic and environmental conditions.
• Preserve the integrity of ecological process and biological diversity.
• Use land, air and water in ways that meet people’s diverse needs and preserve land’s
ability to meet future needs.
• Reduce the amount of materials and energy used to produce goods and services.
• Promote the use of recyclable / reusable products and services.

Role of Government
 Provide a broad range of opportunities for learning about sustainable development
concepts and practices.
 Reform regulations and develop incentives to encourage practices that have net
environmental, economic and community benefits over the long run.
 Provide incentives for business interested in developing and adopting sustainable
practices and technologies.
 Examine the role of taxes and subsidies in encouraging sustainable development.
 Establish new institutions / organizations outside of Government to aid in facilitating
sustainable development.
 Government should set an example of sustainability in own operations and functions.

Role of citizens
 Promote environmentally sound business
 Look for opportunities to turn waste streams into profit streams.
 Support the development of renewable energy resources.
 Educate others about the necessity and essentials of sustainable development.
 Join in NGOs / Institutions involved in the activity and contribute your skills towards the
development of nation.

Role of International Organisations

 Cooperation and coordination of international and regional organizations.

 Governments and non-governmental organizations should develop programmes for
children collaborating with UNICEF.

Agenda 21

The concept of sustainable development was introduced in the 1992 Earth Summit held at Rio. In
the conference, a legal document/blue print for sustainable development called Agenda 21 was
put forth. The table of contents of Agenda 21 describes the nature of issues and topics related to
sustainable development.
Chapter 1 Preamble
Section I. Social and Economic Dimensions
Chapter 2 International Cooperation for Sustainable Development
Chapter 3 Combating Poverty
Chapter 4 Changing Consumption Patterns
Chapter 5 Demographic Dynamics & Sustainability
Chapter 6 Human Health
Chapter 7 Human Settlements
Chapter 8 Decision Making
Section II. Conservation and Management of Resources for Development
Chapter 9 Protection of the Atmosphere
Chapter 10 Land Resources
Chapter 11 Deforestation
Chapter 12 Desertification & Drought
Chapter 13 Sustainable Mountain Development
Chapter 14 Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development
Chapter 15 Conservation of Biodiversity
Chapter 16 Biotechnology
Chapter 17 Protection of the Oceans
Chapter 18 Freshwater Resources
Chapter 19 Toxic Chemicals - Management
Chapter 20 Hazardous Wastes - Management
Chapter 21 Solid Wastes - Management
Chapter 22 Radioactive Wastes - Management
Section III. Strengthening the Role of Major Groups
Chapter 23 Preamble Major Groups
Chapter 24 Women
Chapter 25 Children & Youth
Chapter 26 Indigenous People
Chapter 27 Non-Governmental Organizations
Chapter 28 Local Authorities
Chapter 29 Trade Unions
Chapter 30 Business & Industry
Chapter 31 Scientific & Technological Community
Chapter 32 Role of Farmers
Section IV. Means of Implementation
Chapter 33 Financial Resources
Chapter 34 Technology Transfer
Chapter 35 Science for Sustainable Development
Chapter 36 Education, Public Awareness & Training
Chapter 37 Capacity Building in Developing Countries
Chapter 38 International Institutions
Chapter 39 International Legal Instruments
Chapter 40 Information for Decision-making

Sustainable Development – Indian Response

India presented its perspective on sustainable development before the World Summit for
Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002 as detailed study “Empowering People for Sustainable
Development” (EPSD). It was brought out by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The Indian Government did not feel the need for a separate specific strategy for
sustainable development. The Five Year Plans provide medium-term strategies for overall
development. However, after the WSSD, the Indian government initiated a process of preparing
and implementing a national strategy for sustainable development by 2005.
EPSD introduces the essential framework for sustainable development in India: democratic
continuity, devolution of power, independent judiciary, and civilian control of the armed forces,
independent media, transparency and people's participation. It follows multidimensional, sectoral
and cross-sectoral approaches. The EPSD has four main objectives

 Combating poverty
 Empowering people
 Using core competence in science and technology
 Setting environmental standards

The Indian Government has set the following targets for sustainable development in the 10th Five
year plan.

- Reduction of poverty ratio by 5 percentage points by 2007 and by 15 percentage points by 2012
- All children in school by 2003; all children to complete 5 Years in school by 2007
- Reduction in gender gaps in literacy and wage rates by at least 50 % by 2007
- Reduction in population growth between 2001 and 2011 to 16.2 %
- Increase in literacy rate to 75 % by 2007
- Reduction of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to 45 per 1000 live births by 2007 and to 28 by 2012
- Reduction of Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) to 2 per 1000 live births by 2007 and to 1 by 2012
- Increase in forest cover to 25 % by 2007 and 33 % by 2012
- All villages to have sustained access to potable drinking water by 2007
- Cleaning of major polluted rivers by 2007 and other notified stretches by 2012