Sustainable Development

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

by Antonio C. Antonio

September 1, 2014

What is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development involves the interconnection of three factors; Society, Environment and Economy.  These factors should bring about (1) social equity, (2) sustainable economy and (3) an ideal local environment.  (Please refer to the accompanying image.)  In the middle of these intersecting circles/factors is sustainable development… the result of equal focus and concern given to all these three factors.  Essentially, sustainable development is simply the focusing of attention and activities on the environmental, economic and social well-being of the present and future generations.

There have been several definitions of sustainable development but none as the one from the World Commission on Environment and Development’s (the Brundtland Commission) report “Our Common Future” which states: “DEVELOPMENT THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE PRESENT WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE ABILITY OF FUTURE GENERATIONS TO MEET THEIR OWN NEEDS.”

This definition of sustainable development contains two key concepts:

1. The concept of NEEDS; particularly the essential needs of the world’s poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and,
2. The concept of LIMITATIONS; referring to the extent imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment’s ability to meet present and futures needs.

Here is another popular and accepted definition of sustainable development:  “Under the principles of the United Nations Charter, the Millennium Declaration, identified principles and treaties on sustainable development, including economic development, social development and environmental protection.  Broadly defines, sustainable development is “a systems approach to growth and development and to manage natural, produced, and social capital for the welfare of their own and future generations”.” (Wikipedia)

The “Earth Charter”, published in 1992 for the UN Conference on Environment and Development highlighted the building of a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society.  A corresponding action plan, called Agenda 21, was also adopted in the Earth Summit of 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  In the Philippines, we also came up with Philippine Agenda 21 (or PA 21) to calibrate Agenda 21 to be more country-specific.  Highlighted in these action plans is the need for participatory management especially the indigenous stakeholders.

I have written several blogs which have relevance to this article. You may want to click on http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/ and scan for the following titles:

• Is Sustainable Development Possible in the Philippines? (January 8, 2013);
• Participatory Management (November 29, 2013); and,
• Achievements of the Earth Summit (April 13, 2014).

Concepts change through time but understanding their present and future relevance is importance… this includes the concept of sustainable development.

Just my little thoughts…

REFERENCES: (Keywords: Sustainable Development)

• http://www.iisd.org/sd/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_development
•  http://www.worldbank.org/depweb/english/sd.html
• http://www.un.org/wcm/webdav/site/climatechange/shared/gsp/docs/GSP1-6_Background%20on%20Sustainable%20Devt.pdf

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