The term ‘Sustainable Development‘ is a buzz word that gets thrown around a lot nowadays. It is still a contentious and controversial issue, although the idea has been around since the 1980s.
If you Google ‘Sustainable Development’, you will find a massive amount of information about it, but the question remains, what actually is Sustainable Development?
The United Nations has declared 2015 to be the International Year of Sustainable Development.
This is a very positive initiative that aims to focus the world’s attention on the need for poverty eradication, environmental protection and social inclusion.
However, there are still many controversies surrounding the issue of sustainable development, both within the UN and in the wider world.
Sustainable development is a controversial issue, often symbolized by the term “green”. Some hold it as a panacea for the many environmental issues that confront our world. Others hold it as a vehicle for social engineering and as a threat to private property and free markets.
When one considers the complexity of issues surrounding sustainable development, it is not surprising that there is no one agreed upon definition of what it actually is.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a term used to describe businesses that are responsible for their actions in society.
While businesses have responsibilities to their shareholders, they also have responsibilities to the society they are part of.
Companies should be socially conscious and use their influence to add value to society. This could include policies that increase quality of life for employees or the community, or charitable contributions that give back to the universe.
The Challenge of “Sustainable Development”: From Concept to Practice
Sustainable development is an important concept in a world that is becoming increasingly more aware of environmental concerns and the impact that our current behaviors have upon the environment. This awareness is causing many businesses and governments to begin to take a hard look at their practices and to find ways of making them more sustainable.
For example, many businesses are looking at their environmental impacts, looking at ways to reduce them, and changing their practices to accommodate these new requirements.
The idea of sustainable development is often used to describe the balance between economic development and social development.
In today’s world, green jobs are increasingly being recognized as good jobs and there is increased attention on the importance of the green economy.
What does it really mean to live “sustainably”? This is a question asked by many people around the world.
Being “sustainable” is often viewed as a buzzword or a trend. For people who live in urban areas, it could mean recycling or riding a bike to work, while others see it as something more.
Some believe that sustainable development is about being conscious of your actions and how they affect the world around you. Others see it as a way to save our planet.
Six Key Drivers for Sustainable Development
Use the six drivers of sustainable development framework to assess the sustainability of your project.
The framework is intended to help development practitioners identify the six categories of drivers that can influence whether an intervention increases or reduces the capacity for development and sustainable development.
It is intended to help practitioners identify the areas in which they should focus further development and sustainable development efforts.
The United Nations has a 15-year plan to transform the world economy from one that’s based on fossil fuels, to one that’s based on sustainable energy resources. To achieve this goal, the UN has identified six key drivers:
1) Energy efficiency & conservation 2) Renewable energy 3) Sustainable transportation 4) Sustainable buildings & communities 5) Waste management 6) Climate action
Energy Efficiency & Conservation
Energy efficiency and conservation are important drivers for the transition and development of sustainable energy worldwide. The International Energy Agency (IEA) considers that the world has made great progress in promoting energy efficiency, but much more action is needed in this area.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower, are often thought of as the main fuels of the future. With increasing awareness of the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel depletion, the renewable energy sector has gathered strong momentum.
Governments around the world have begun to introduce various policies aimed at promoting the development and use of renewable energy sources. These policies are largely based on the key drivers that are likely to contribute to renewable energy deployment in the future.
Sustainable Transportation
In the decades following World War II, the United States drove an economic boom that was also an environmental bane.
People in cities and suburbs moved in droves to drive cars, and as a result, cities became choked with traffic and smog. In the 1960s, the federal government began to invest in clean alternatives to fossil fuels, and in the 1970s, the first affordable hybrid cars started to hit the streets.
Sustainable Buildings and Communities
It’s a fact: we have to build more, and we have to do it faster. While it would be nice to think that we could work our way out of the sustainability and environmental challenges we face by living more simply and consuming less, that’s just not practical.
Instead, the challenge lies in doing better with less impact, and sustainable building and sustainable communities aren’t just the answer—they’re a necessity.
Waste Management
Managing waste is one of the most important components of sustainable development. It is a major challenge in all regions of the world, and the responsibility for its efficient management lies with both government and individual citizens.
While improving waste management strategies and practices is imperative for the health of our environment, it also has significant social and economic benefits. Implementing best practices in waste management can be a powerful strategy for sustainable development.
Climate Action
Climate change is a global problem that requires global solutions. The good news is that a lot is already being done to slow climate change. As the climate continues to warm, local and regional efforts will become increasingly important in the fight against climate change.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) says that climate action should be “a global effort, with the involvement of many partners, working in a cooperative spirit.”
The good news is that a lot is already being done to slow climate change. In fact, the effort to combat climate change is a global effort with the involvement of many partners working in a cooperative spirit.
Last Words
The basic idea of Sustainable Development is that the needs of the present are met without compromising the needs of future generations. It has been defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is a concept that was first widely popularized during the 1980s.
