"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
The concept of sustainable development can be interpreted in many different ways, but at its core is an approach to development that looks to balance different, and often competing, needs against an awareness of the environmental, social and economic limitations we face as a society.
All too often, development is driven by one particular need, without fully considering the wider or future impacts. We are already seeing the damage this kind of approach can cause, from large-scale financial crises caused by irresponsible banking, to changes in global climate resulting from our dependence on fossil fuel-based energy sources. The longer we pursue unsustainable development, the more frequent and severe its consequences are likely to become, which is why we need to take action now.
So is it all just about the environment?
Living within our environmental limits is one of the central principles of sustainable development. One implication of not doing so is climate change.
But the focus of sustainable development is far broader than just the environment. It's also about ensuring a strong, healthy and just society. This means meeting the diverse needs of all people in existing and future communities, promoting personal wellbeing, social cohesion and inclusion, and creating equal opportunity.
If sustainable development focuses on the future, does that mean we lose out now?
Not necessarily. Sustainable development is about finding better ways of doing things, both for the future and the present. We might need to change the way we work and live now, but this doesn't mean our quality of life will be reduced.
A sustainable development approach can bring many benefits in the short to medium term, for example:
Savings - As a result of SDC scrutiny, government has saved over £60m by improving efficiency across its estate.
Health & Transport- Instead of driving, switching to walking or cycling for short journeys will save you money, improve your health and is often just as quick and convenient.
How does it affect me?
The way we approach development affects everyone. The impacts of our decisions as a society have very real consequences for people's lives. Poor planning of communities, for example, reduces the quality of life for the people who live in them. (Relying on imports rather than growing food locally puts the UK at risk of food shortages.)
Sustainable development provides an approach to making better decisions on the issues that affect all of our lives. By incorporating health plans into the planning of new communities, for instance, we can ensure that residents have easy access to healthcare and leisure facilities. (By encouraging more sustainable food supply chains, we can ensure the UK has enough food for the long-term future.)
How do we make it happen?
We all have a part to play. Small actions, taken collectively, can add up to real change. However, to achieve sustainability in the UK, we believe the Government needs to take the lead. The SDC's job is to help make this happen, and we do it through a mixture of scrutiny, advice and building organisational capacity for sustainable development.
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FAQs
Its purpose is to review the implementation of the decisions of the Rio Conference at the local, regional and global levels, as well as to improve UN activities in the field of environment and development.
What is the simple definition of sustainable development? ›
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
What is CSD and its role? ›
A central securities depository (CSD) is a specialized financial market infrastructure organization holding securities like shares, either in certificated or uncertificated (dematerialized) form, allowing ownership to be easily transferred through a book entry rather than by a transfer of physical certificates.
What is the National Commission for sustainable development? ›
The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was established by the UN General Assembly in December 1992 to ensure effective follow-up of United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit.
What is a sustainability commission? ›
Purpose: Advise the City Council and make recommendations on sustainability policies and programs related to energy, recycling and waste management, mobility, open space, and water issues. Advise the City Council on successful implementation of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP).
What are the primary goals of sustainability? ›
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to transform our world. They are a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity. It is critical that no one is left behind.
What are examples of sustainable development? ›
Examples of Sustainable Development
- Wind energy.
- Solar energy.
- Crop rotation.
- Sustainable construction.
- Efficient water fixtures.
- Green space.
- Sustainable forestry.
Goal 1: No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere. Goal 2: Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Why is sustainable development necessary? ›
It allows us to preserve the environment, protect biodiversity, mitigate climate change, eradicate poverty, promote social inclusivity, and foster long-term economic growth. The earth has enough resources to meet our present and future needs for development if we use them economically.
What replaced the Commission on Sustainable Development? ›
The CSD was replaced by the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development as the main forum for sustainable development issues within the UN.
SSSs either settle on a gross basis (i.e. transactions are settled individually) or on a net basis (transactions are netted before a single settlement). Securities are held with central securities depositories (CSDs), which are notably responsible for ensuring securities' integrity.
What is the largest CSDs in the world? ›
By value of securities held, the largest CSD/SSS is the Fedwire Securities Service for US government and agency securities (Graph A1, left-hand panel).
What is one of the key principles of sustainable development? ›
1 No poverty 2 No hunger 3 Good health and well-being 4 Quality education 5 Gender equality 6 Clean water and sanitation 7 Affordable and clean energy 8 Decent work and economic growth 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure 10 Reduced inequality 11 Sustainable cities and communities 12 Responsible consumption and ...
What are the parameters of sustainable development? ›
Sustainable development can be applied to corporate policy in the business world as it encompasses three key areas: economic, environmental and social. Sustainable development requires that a company must contribute to economic growth, social progress and promote environmental sustainability.
When did the term "sustainable development" come into existence? ›
Though SD thinking is widely recognised to have its origins in the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment, SD as a concept began to gather momentum following the 1987 Brundtland Report, Our Common Future, and the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit.
What is a simple example of sustainability? ›
Climate action: Acting now to stop global warming. Life below water: Avoiding the use of plastic bags to keep the oceans clean. Life on land: Planting trees to help protect the environment. Responsible consumption and production: Recycling items such as paper, plastic, glass and aluminum.
What is the definition of sustainability? ›
Sustainability is ability to maintain or support a process over time. Sustainability is often broken into three core concepts: economic, environmental, and social. Many businesses and governments have committed to sustainable goals, such as reducing their environmental footprints and conserving resources.
What is sustainable development best defined as quizlet? ›
Which statement best describes the concept of sustainable development? Development should meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future.
How many definitions of sustainable development are there? ›
In the academic literature, it's been estimated that there are over 300 definitions of sustainability and sustainable development. On the other hand, Sustainable measures takes a different approach to definitions and groups them into 4 categories: Sustainability and sustainable development.
