Definition of sustainable development
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Definition of Sustainable Development
Introduction to Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is a concept that has gained significant traction in various fields, including environmental management, policy-making, and industrial practices. Despite its widespread use, the term often suffers from ambiguity and varying interpretations, which can complicate its application and understanding1 3.
Core Principles of Sustainable Development
Inter- and Intragenerational Equity
At its core, sustainable development revolves around the principle of inter- and intragenerational equity. This means ensuring that the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This principle is anchored on three interconnected pillars: the environment, economy, and society2 5. Decision-makers must consider the relationships, complementarities, and trade-offs among these pillars to promote sustainable development effectively2.
Environmental, Social, and Economic Integration
Sustainable development requires the integration of environmental protection, social justice, and economic development. This integration ensures that environmental considerations are factored into social and economic decisions and vice versa5. The goal is to achieve a balance where environmental quality, social equity, and economic viability support each other5 7.
Historical Context and Evolution
Brundtland Commission Definition
One of the most cited definitions of sustainable development comes from the Brundtland Commission, which describes it as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"6. While this definition is widely accepted, it has been criticized for being too simplistic and biased towards development6.
Emergence of Sustainability
The concept of sustainability emerged prominently in the 1990s and has since become a consolidated framework in various fields of knowledge. Sustainability focuses on maintaining basic support systems necessary for indefinite human survival, which requires a healthy environment and a stable human population1 4.
Criticisms and Alternatives
Vagueness and Lack of Clarity
One major criticism of sustainable development is its vagueness, which can lead to varied interpretations that may not capture the full essence of the concept3. This vagueness has resulted in a wide array of definitions that often reflect institutional and group prerogatives rather than a unified understanding3.
Emerging Alternatives
In response to the criticisms, new alternatives to sustainable development have emerged, such as degrowth and buen vivir. These alternatives aim to address the limitations of sustainable development by proposing different frameworks for achieving long-term sustainability1.
Conclusion
Sustainable development is a multifaceted concept that integrates environmental, social, and economic dimensions to ensure equitable and viable development for current and future generations. Despite its widespread acceptance, the term suffers from vagueness and varying interpretations, which necessitates ongoing discourse and refinement. Understanding and addressing these complexities is crucial for effectively promoting sustainable development in policy and practice.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Sustainability and sustainable development: A review of principles and definitions.
The concepts of sustainability and sustainable development have significant meanings in environmental research and management, but their imprecise definitions and emergence of new alternatives like degrowth and buen vivir raise concerns.
Literature Review
Highly CitedSustainable development: Meaning, history, principles, pillars, and implications for human action: Literature review
Sustainable development focuses on inter- and intragenerational equity, with three pillars (environment, economy, and society) interconnected and requiring responsible human behavior and actions at all levels.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedSustainability and sustainable development: Historical and conceptual review
Most contemporary definitions of sustainable development focus on specific elements rather than the whole spectrum, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive theory on sustainability and development.
Highly CitedGlobal sustainability: Toward definition
A useful definition of global sustainability should specify context, temporal, and spatial scales, and consider basic support systems for human survival.
Highly CitedSustainable Development and Its Discontents
Sustainable development can be strengthened by addressing critics' concerns, but it remains a valuable decision-making framework for achieving human well-being.
Defining Sustainability
Sustainable development is defined as meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs, but its precise meaning remains a challenge for planners and policy makers.
The social dimension of sustainable development: Defining urban social sustainability
Urban social sustainability focuses on equitable access and community sustainability, with a relationship between urban form and social sustainability.
Highly CitedReview of sustainability terms and their definitions
This paper summarizes and classifies sustainability terms in environmental engineering, providing improved definitions and a hierarchical classification based on a layer format.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedIntroduction: Sustainable Chemistry.
Sustainable chemistry aims to create products and processes that meet environmental, health, and economic needs while minimizing negative impacts on the environment and society.
Highly CitedSustainable development: mapping different approaches
Sustainable development has the potential to address fundamental challenges for humanity, but requires more clarity in meaning, focusing on sustainable livelihoods and well-being, and long-term environmental sustainability.
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