Sustainable Development: Origins and Concept

What is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concept was officially defined in the 1987 Brundtland Report by the World Commission on Environment and Development, chaired by former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland and endorsed by the United Nations.

The essence of sustainable development lies in a developmental approach that seeks to balance various needs against an awareness of the environmental, social, and economic limitations we face as a society. It ensures individuals a high quality, sustainable life while considering environmental conservation.

Often, we think of developing our communities based on current needs without considering future impacts. Today, we witness the adverse outcomes of this approach through ongoing economic crises, emphasizing the need for immediate actions to avoid more severe consequences in the future.

A Brief History of Sustainable Development

The term ‘sustainable development’ first gained international prominence at the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm. This conference saw the global community agree to integrate development with environmental stewardship for the public benefit.

The concept gained further popularity fifteen years later through the “Our Common Future” report, also known as the Brundtland Report, which introduced the classical definition of sustainable development mentioned earlier.

This was followed by the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which was the culmination of numerous conferences involving UN member states and experts who exchanged extensive expertise in areas such as child care, environmental protection, human rights, women’s advancement, productive employment, and cultural development.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were then established by the United Nations in 2000 with participation from 181 members, setting eight goals to be achieved by 2015.

Recently, the latest United Nations summit held at its headquarters in New York adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), expanding them to 17 goals to be achieved by 2030.

What’s the Difference Between Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals?

After a two-year negotiation process with unprecedented participation from civil society organizations, the UN member states agreed on a final document on August 2, 2015, which will form the core of the sustainable development agenda to be adopted by world leaders at the Sustainable Development Summit in New York.

This ambitious agenda aims to build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals launched in 2000 by achieving 17 new goals by 2030.

Distinct features of the Sustainable Development Goals compared to the Millennium Development Goals include:

• Broader Scope: Incorporating 17 goals compared to the previous eight.

• Global Targets: Aiming to include the entire world, even developed countries, whereas the Millennium Goals primarily targeted developing nations, especially the poorest.

• Inclusive Preparation: The Sustainable Development Goals were prepared with the involvement of civil society, in contrast to the expert-led, behind-closed-doors preparation of the Millennium Goals.

• Integrated Approach: Based on the three interconnected elements of sustainable development—economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection—while the Millennium Goals primarily focused on social action plans.

It is essential for all societies to recognize and acknowledge that their survival, and that of future generations, depends on responsible behaviors linked to consumption, production, environmental conservation, and progressive social values. This should be achieved through a positive synergy and community participation in projects based on the three fundamental elements of sustainable development, forming a dynamic system that relies on innovation in creating new methods to manage systems scientifically and connect them with natural phenomena around us.