Sustainable Development Global Environmental Policy - Back to the Basics - What do we do with Sustainable Development

What is Sustainable Development? There are over 100 definitions of sustainability and sustainable development, but the best known, of course, is that of the World Commission on Environment and Development: This suggests that development is sustainable where it "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

What is Sustainable Development? Sustainable development implies economic growth and social equity, together with the protection of environmental quality, each reinforcing the other. The essence of this form of development is a stable relationship between human activities and the natural world, which does not diminish the prospects for future generations to enjoy a quality of life at least as good as our own.

What is Sustainable Development? The key message of sustainability, ultimately, is about balance in the way we live …

What is Sustainable Development? Needs of present generation Needs of future generations Balance According to the United Nations, sustainable development is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

What is Sustainable Development? Socio- Cultural issues Economic issues Balance Environmental issues

What is Sustainable Development? Improvement of lifestyles and well-being Preserving natural resources and ecosystems Balance Sustainable development is maintaining a delicate balance between the human need to improve lifestyles and feeling of well-being on one hand, and preserving natural resources and ecosystems, on which we and future generations depend.

Sustainable Development Issues * Agriculture * Atmosphere * Biodiversity * Biotechnology * Capacity-building * Climate Change * Consumption and Production Patterns * Demographics * Desertification and Drought * Disaster Reduction and Management * Education and Awareness * Energy * Finance * Forests * Fresh Water * Health * Human Settlements * Indicators * Industry * Information for Decision Making and Participation * Integrated Decision Making * International Law * International Cooperation for Enabling Environment * Institutional Arrangements * Land management * Major Groups * Mountains * National Sustainable Development Strategies * Oceans and Seas * Poverty * Sanitation * Science * SIDS * Sustainable tourism * Technology * Toxic Chemicals * Trade and Environment * Transport * Waste (Hazardous) * Waste (Radioactive) * Waste (Solid) * Water

Millennium Development Goals The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions. http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/

MDGs to SDGs Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Sustainable (2005-2015) (2015-2025) Status: coming to an end in 2015. Partial success – many problems remain Status: Started in 2015. Countries are now adopting SDGs in all their programmes and projects http://goo.gl/pu5Yo5

List of SDGs to be attained by 2030 End poverty in all its forms everywhere End hunger, achieve food security and adequate nutrition for all, and promote sustainable agriculture Attain healthy life for all at all ages Provide equitable and inclusive quality education and life-long learning opportunities for all Attain gender equality, empower women and girls everywhere Secure water and sanitation for all for a sustainable world Ensure access to affordable, sustainable, and reliable modern energy services for all Promote strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all Promote sustainable industrialization Reduce inequality within and among countries Build inclusive, safe and sustainable cities and human settlements Promote sustainable consumption and production patterns Promote actions at all levels to address climate change Attain conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, oceans and seas Protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems and halt all biodiversity loss Achieve peaceful and inclusive societies, rule of law, effective and capable institutions Strengthen and enhance the means of implementation and global partnership for sustainable development

Introducing the SDGs …