1.8 Concepts Of Sustainable Development

CONCEPTS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT      

Defining Sustainable Development Illustrating Sustainable Development Concepts of Sustainable Development Agenda 21 Sustainable Development and Everyone Sustainable Development – The Indian Scenario

DEFINING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT In simple terms, sustainable development is the state of development where human race develops without disturbing the state of environment. It is actually an environment friendly development that takes equal care on the development and the environment. However there are lots of academic definitions, which the student has to use for technical explanations. The first one is the most preferred.  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. It would be apt to present a historical overview of sustainable development because this is an internationally bound concept on which the whole world is interested. With raising concerns on environment and its problems way back in 1972, the UN organized a convention titled “United Nations Conference on Human Environment” at Stockholm where representatives of more than 90 countries met together and agreed to take care of environmental issues. They also decided to meet once in 10 years. However they could not meet in 1982 owing to various political reasons. In 1987, UN formed a commission United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development under the chairmanship of Mr.Brundtland. Thanks to the serious efforts of the committee, representatives from more than 125 countries met for the 2nd ten year conference at Rio de Janiero in June 1992. The conference was called “United Nations Conference on Environment and Development” and addressed serious issues of environment, economics and social well being. It was on this conference the principle of sustainable development was proposed. All the nations were asked to go for sustainable development rather than economic development. The conference brought about lot of details about sustainable development in Agenda 21, the blue print document relating to sustainable development. In 2002, the convention took place at Johannesburg and was called World Summit for Sustainable Development. In this convention also, all countries were requested to register mechanisms of sustainable development and review existing mechanisms.

ILLUSTRATING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT In a nutshell, Sustainable development is where economy, environment and society go together. However there have been a few pictorial descriptions/illustrations that are aimed to make its definition more clear. Even a few examiners would expect you to come out with such illustrations and you have to understand that a picture would speak 1000 words. The three most common and catchy illustrations of sustainable development are listed in the following page.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

ECONOMY

ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY

CONCEPTS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT The concepts of sustainable development can be listed as below •

Use renewable resources at a rate that can be maintained over time.

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Gradually reduce reliance on and limit the release of toxic substances that do not readily break down in nature

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Use all resources as efficiently and fairly as possible so that present and future generations can meet their needs.

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Reflect the inter dependence of social, economic and environmental conditions.

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Preserve the integrity of ecological process and biological diversity.

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Use land, air and water in ways that meet people’s diverse needs and preserve land’s ability to meet future needs.

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Reduce the amount of materials and energy used to produce goods and services.

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Promote the use of recyclable / reusable products and services.

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. You need not memorize them. It is just to provide you the spectrum of activities that is represented by 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 AND EVERYONE You should have understood that every country is headed towards sustainable development. Sustainable development can be achieved only by the active participation of all sorts of people in a country. From the Government to the people, everyone has a role to play in order to achieve sustainable development. They are listed below 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.

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

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Empowering people

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Using core competence in science and technology

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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 Let us hope that the targets are achieved and sustainable development is attained in our country.