Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1.8 Concepts of Sustainable Development
1.8 Concepts of Sustainable Development
1.8 Concepts of Sustainable Development
ECONOMY
ENVIRONMENT
SOCIETY
AGENDA 21
The concept of sustainable development was introduced in the 1992 Earth
Summit held at Rio. In the conference, a legal document/blue print for
sustainable development called Agenda 21 was put forth.
The table of contents of Agenda 21 describes the nature of issues and topics
related to sustainable development. You need not memorize them. It is just to
provide you the spectrum of activities that is represented by sustainable
development.
Chapter 1 Preamble
Section I. Social and Economic Dimensions
Chapter 2 International Cooperation for Sustainable Development
Chapter 3 Combating Poverty
Chapter 4 Changing Consumption Patterns
Chapter 5 Demographic Dynamics & Sustainability
Chapter 6 Human Health
Chapter 7 Human Settlements
Chapter 8 Decision Making
Section II. Conservation and Management of Resources for Development
Chapter 9 Protection of the Atmosphere
Chapter 10 Land Resources
Chapter 11 Deforestation
Chapter 12 Desertification & Drought
Chapter 13 Sustainable Mountain Development
Chapter 14 Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development
Chapter 15 Conservation of Biodiversity
Chapter 16 Biotechnology
Chapter 17 Protection of the Oceans
Chapter 18 Freshwater Resources
Chapter 19 Toxic Chemicals - Management
Chapter 20 Hazardous Wastes - Management
Chapter 21 Solid Wastes - Management
Chapter 22 Radioactive Wastes - Management
Section III. Strengthening the Role of Major Groups
Chapter 23 Preamble Major Groups
Chapter 24 Women
Chapter 25 Children & Youth
Chapter 26 Indigenous People
Chapter 27 Non-Governmental Organizations
Chapter 28 Local Authorities
Chapter 29 Trade Unions
Chapter 30 Business & Industry
Chapter 31 Scientific & Technological Community
Chapter 32 Role of Farmers
Section IV. Means of Implementation
Chapter 33 Financial Resources
Chapter 34 Technology Transfer
Chapter 35 Science for Sustainable Development
Chapter 36 Education, Public Awareness & Training
Chapter 37 Capacity Building in Developing Countries
Chapter 38 International Institutions
Chapter 39 International Legal Instruments
Chapter 40 Information for Decision-making
ROLE OF GOVERNMENT
Provide a broad range of opportunities for learning about sustainable
development concepts and practices.
Reform regulations and develop incentives to encourage practices that
have net environmental, economic and community benefits over the long
run.
Provide incentives for business interested in developing and adopting
sustainable practices and technologies.
Examine the role of taxes and subsidies in encouraging sustainable
development.
Establish new institutions / organizations outside of Government to aid in
facilitating sustainable development.
Government should set an example of sustainability in own operations and
functions.
ROLE OF CITIZENS
Promote environmentally sound business
Look for opportunities to turn waste streams into profit streams.
Support the development of renewable energy resources.
Educate others about the necessity and essentials of sustainable
development.
Join in NGOs / Institutions involved in the activity and contribute your skills
towards the development of nation.
The Indian Government did not feel the need for a separate specific strategy for
sustainable development. The Five Year Plans provide medium-term strategies
for overall development. However, after the WSSD, the Indian government
initiated a process of preparing and implementing a national strategy for
sustainable development by 2005.
EPSD introduces the essential framework for sustainable development in India:
democratic continuity, devolution of power, independent judiciary, and civilian
control of the armed forces, independent media, transparency and people's
participation. It follows multidimensional, sectoral and cross-sectoral approaches.
The EPSD has four main objectives
Combating poverty
Empowering people
Using core competence in science and technology
Setting environmental standards
The Indian Government has set the following targets for sustainable development
in the 10th Five year plan.
Let us hope that the targets are achieved and sustainable development is
attained in our country.