Dear students

Here is a little exercise for you to keep your brains active during the break.

Write a research paper on the topic ‘Sustainable development’. The word limit is 200-250 words and
should
contain the points mentioned below. Please use an A4 paper to write and read from the attachments
below to
find out the following:
· What is sustainable development
· Need for Sustainable Development
· Objectives of Sustainable Development
· Importance of Sustainable Development
Links
https://www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/what-is-sustainable-development.html
https://climate.selectra.com/en/environment/sustainable-development
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/importance-of-sustainable-development/

What is 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."
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.

Sustainable development: Definition,

objectives and examples
By Paul Collins

Journalist and digital marketing professional

Updated on13/08/2021
4min reading

Sustainable development represents the transition from today's society to a more

environmentally friendly one. With the world facing a potential climate crisis - water

shortages, drought, hunger, extreme weather - sustainable development goals are to

ensure a commitment and balance between economic growth, preservation of the

environment and social well-being.

I stand up for real climate action, I offset my CO2 emissions!Global warming is

everyone's business! To offset your CO2 emissions and participate in the energy
transition.
Send us an e-mail

What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development is a necessity today. Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime

Minister of Norway, defines it as: "development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" -
Our Common Future (Report World Commission on the Environment and Development
report, 1987). In other words, it is about exploiting the planet's resources in moderation,
without exceeding its capacity for natural renewal.

3 pillars of sustainable development

There are 3 pillars of sustainable development:

1. Economic sustainability: which aims to reduce extreme poverty and guarantee fair
paid employment for all.
2. Environmental sustainability: which aims to protect the natural balance of the
planet, while limiting the impact of human activities on the environment.
3. Social sustainability: which aims to guarantee access to basic resources and
services for all.

The sustainable development definition is, therefore, a development that is

economically efficient, ecologically sustainable and socially equitable.

The Brundtland report and sustainable development

The concept of sustainable development is very recent. It first appeared in the Brundtland
Report established within the framework of the World Commission on Environment and
Development (WCED) in 1987, chaired by Gro Harlem Brundtland. The Brundtland report
highlighted the negative environmental consequences of economic development and
proposed possible solutions to problems arising from globalisation and population
growth.

Thanks to the Brundtland report, sustainable development as a concept was born. A few
years later, in 1997, it was at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro where the concept of
sustainable development became official.
The 2030 agenda for sustainable development

As a new roadmap to achieve sustainable development, in September 2015, the United

Nations approved the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that sets out
the Sustainable Development Goals, a series of common goals to protect the planet and
guarantee social well-being. By adopting this new strategy, the states committed
themselves, over the next fifteen years, to mobilise all the necessary means for its
implementation.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) aims to help implement the Goals.

Then Prime Minister, Theresa May, represented the UK in signing up to the Sustainable
Development Goals. She told business leaders in the country that the UK had played a
key role in defining the goals and would lead the way in ensuring they are met at home
and abroad.

The Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals, seek to reconcile
economic growth, environmental balance and social progress, ensuring that all people
have the same opportunities and can lead a better life without compromising the planet.

What are the 17 UN sustainable development goals?

1. End poverty
2. Zero 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 inequalities
11. Sustainable cities and communities
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
17. Partnerships for the goals

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals replaced the Millennium Development Goals

(MDGs). The eight Millennium Goals, established in 2000, made significant progress in
many areas such as poverty reduction, the fight against AIDS, access to water, and
maternal health.

Sustainable development and the environment

The human population continues to grow and is expected to reach 10 billion by
2100. Such an increase entails an increase in needs and, as a result, more individual
consumption.

The influence of human activities on the climate to meet these needs is undeniable. If we
do not take climate change into account, it will set back the development gains of
recent years and prevent further progress. Investing in sustainable development helps
to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, initiatives to
combat climate change will drive sustainable development.

The contribution to sustainable development begins with an awareness

process through the calculation of our personal carbon footprint. This allows us to assess
the areas of our lives and consumption habits that are having a negative impact on the
environment. When we can see how our habits impact the environment, we can put into
place some of the principles of sustainable development in our personal lives and help
reduce the carbon footprint.
How many tonnes of CO2 do you emit each year?

Discover the impact and amount of carbon to offset in less than 5".

[email protected]

Promoting sustainable development: examples

Human beings face various challenges, such as climate change, respect for human
rights, hunger, water scarcity, etc. These challenges can only be solved from a global
perspective and promoting sustainable development through various initiatives. In order to
promote sustainable development and mobilise citizens, many organisations and entities
are hosting events or launching new initiatives.

European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW)

The European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW) is an annual Europe-wide

event. The week aims to promote sustainable development goals through awareness-
raising actions, and present the 2030 Agenda and its 17 goals.

This year, ESDW takes place between 18th September and 8th October, with the core
of the Week taking place 20th September and 26th September.
European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR)

European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) is an annual initiative to raise awareness
about sustainable resource management and waste reduction through awareness
actions.

The actions implemented during the week are based on the 3R strategy:

1. Reduce waste
2. Reuse the products
3. Recycle materials.

It takes place this year between 20th and 28th November. You can check on
the website to see events taking place across the UK - so take a look and find one near
you!

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Business Certification

The objective of the SDG Business Certification is to raise awareness of the

sustainability efforts being carried out by a company, and promoting the incorporation of
the 17 ODS in its business strategy.

Many companies across the UK have adopted schemes to promote sustainabilty. The
BBC, PwC, ASDA and GlaxoSmithKline have adopted cycle to work programmes in a
bid to reduce dependency on cars and switch to cleaner modes of transport. Other
examples of companies making efforts to help meet the SDGs include cutting single-use
plastics from their cafes and restaurants, launching social and educational enterprises,
and organising events to increase awareness of sustainable food.

Sustainable development: UK initiatives

Since the UK committed to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in 2015
the Government has put in place a number of initiatives to help achieve those targets. As
part of the commitments, each nation needs to produce at least one Voluntary National
Review (VNR) in which it updates other members on progress made in achieving the
goals.

In 2019, the UK published its first VNR in which it highlighted progress made in key
areas but also identified other areas for improvement.

Some of the achievements to date included:

1. A high-quality health service, free for all at the point of use.

2. High and rising standards of education.
3. Increasing employment, with more women and disabled people in work.
4. Progress made on climate and the environment.
5. Some of the world’s strongest legislation on equality issues.

Areas identified for further progress included:

1. Tackling injustice to ensure no one is left behind.

2. Further increasing efforts to address climate and environmental issues.
3. Ensuring the housing market works for everybody.
4. Responding to mental health needs.
5. Supporting a growing and ageing population.

Discover all our practical guides on environmental protection and green

energy development!

Sommaire :
What is sustainable development?
The 2030 agenda for sustainable development
Sustainable development and the environment
Promoting sustainable development: examples

Measuring your carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it.

Importance of Sustainable Development

Last Updated : 04 Jan, 2024
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Importance of Sustainable Development: The goals of sustainable development
were first adopted by the member states of the United Nations in 2015. The concept of
sustainable development aims to encourage the use of products and services in a way
that minimizes the impact on the environment and optimizes resources to satisfy
human needs.
The concept of sustainable development has been around for decades and as a modern
concept, it was originally brought forward by the Brundtland Report in 1987. It was
simply defined as development that meets the needs of the present world without
compromising the potential for the future. Sustainable development can be facilitated
through five guiding principles, namely living within environmental limits, ensuring a
strong, healthy, and just society, achieving a sustainable economy, and promoting
good governance and information as a social responsibility.
 Importance of Sustainable Development

Table of Content
 What is Sustainable Development?
 Importance of Sustainable Development
 Sustainable Development Practices
 Sustainable Development Obstacles and Challenges
What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development is an approach that aims to meet the needs of the present
generation while preserving the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
It recognizes the interdependence between economic growth, social well-being, and
environmental protection. Sustainable development recognizes that economic, social,
and environmental considerations are interconnected and must be balanced to achieve
long-term well-being.
Importance of Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is working towards development keeping in mind the
importance of being responsible for the environment we live in. The basic idea of
sustainable development is to work for today while keeping in mind the needs of
tomorrow. The importance of sustainable development is that it meets the needs of the
present generations without compromising on the needs of the future generations.
Sustainable development teaches us to use our resources in the right way. Listed
below are some points that tell us the importance of sustainable development-
1. Focuses on Sustainable Farming Methods – Sustainable development is
important as it takes care of the needs of future generations and ensures that
the growing population does not burden Mother Earth. It promotes
agricultural techniques such as crop rotation and efficient seeding
techniques.
2. Manages to Stabilize the Climate – We are facing the problem of climate
change due to the excessive use of fossil fuels and the killing of the natural
habitat of animals. Sustainable development plays a major role in
preventing climate change through sustainable development practices. It
promotes reducing the use of fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases that
destroy the atmosphere.
3. Provides for Vital human needs – Sustainable development promotes the
idea of saving for future generations and ensuring that resources are
allocated to all. It is based on the principle of developing an infrastructure
that can be sustained over a long period of time.
4. Sustainable Biodiversity – If the process of Sustainable Development is
followed, the homes and habitats of all other living animals will not be lost.
Since sustainable development focuses on preserving the ecosystem, it
automatically helps in maintaining and protecting biodiversity.
5. Financial stability – As sustainable development promises steady growth,
the economies of countries can be strengthened by using renewable sources
of energy as compared to the use of fossil fuels, of which there is only a
particular amount on our planet.
Sustainable Development Practices
1. Wind Energy – Wind energy is an easily available resource. It is also a free
resource. It is a renewable source of energy and the energy that can be generated using
the power of wind will be beneficial for all. Windmills can produce energy that can be
used to our advantage. It can be a helpful source to reduce the cost of grid electricity
and is a good example of sustainable development.
2. Solar Energy – Solar energy is also such a source of energy that is easily available
and has no limit. Solar energy is being used to replace and do many things that were
earlier being done using non-renewable sources of energy. Solar water heaters are a
good example of this. It is cost-effective and durable at the same time.
3. Crop Rotation – Crop rotation is an ideal and sustainable way to increase the
growth potential of horticultural land. It is free from any chemicals and reduces the
chances of disease in the soil. This form of sustainable development is beneficial to
both commercial farmers and home gardeners.
4. Efficient Water Fixtures – Installing hand and head showers in our toilets that are
efficient and do not waste or leak water is a method of conserving water. Water is
essential for us and conservation of every drop is necessary. Spending less time under
the shower is also a way of sustainable development and water conservation.
5. Sustainable Forestry – This is a wonderful way of sustainable development where
the trees cut down by the factories are replaced by other trees. A new tree is planted in
place of the one that was cut. In this way, soil erosion is prevented and we have hope
for a better, greener future.
Sustainable Development Obstacles and Challenges
The main obstacles to sustainable development are stagnant natural resources and
significant increases in food prices and wealth, which have a negative and serious
impact on a wide section of society.
7 Main Obstacles in Sustainable Development
1. Poverty: The lack of access to resources and economic opportunities, particularly
in impoverished areas, can inhibit sustainable development efforts.
2. Debt: High levels of national debt and financial constraints can limit a country’s
ability to invest in sustainable development initiatives.
3. Climate-related disasters: Natural disasters, such as droughts and desertification,
exacerbate poverty and hinder sustainable development progress.
4. War: Armed conflicts and foreign occupations not only disrupt social and
economic stability but also harm the environment, posing obstacles to sustainable
development.
5. Population growth: Rapid and uncontrolled population growth, especially in urban
areas of developing countries, strains resources and infrastructure, making sustainable
development more challenging.
6. Environmental degradation: The ongoing depletion and deterioration of natural
resources, driven by unsustainable production and consumption patterns, hinder the
achievement of sustainable development goals.
7. Lack of specialized technology: Insufficient access to modern technologies and
technical expertise impedes the implementation of sustainable development programs
and hinders effective global collaboration on environmental issues.
Conclusion
sustainable development is important because it integrates economic progress, social
equity, and environmental stewardship. we can ensure a balanced and prosperous
future for all By embracing sustainable practices. 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. But, if we use them for the lure of rapid economic
growth, our world could become one vast wasteland.
FAQs on Importance of Sustainable Development-
1. When is World Environment Day celebrated?
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th
2. When was the concept of sustainable development popularized?
The concept gained widespread attention with the publication of the Brundtland
Report in 1987 by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and
Development.
3. What are examples of sustainable development practices?
Renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency measures, circular economy principles,
sustainable agriculture, responsible consumption, and social inclusivity.
4. How can businesses contribute to sustainable development?
Businesses can contribute by adopting eco-friendly technologies, reducing waste and
emissions, practicing fair labour, and promoting sustainable supply chains.