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5839GSDR 2015 SD Concept Definiton Rev
5839GSDR 2015 SD Concept Definiton Rev
REmas001@FIU.edu. *The views and opinions expressed are the author’s and do not represent those of the
Secretariat of the United Nations. Online publication or dissemination does not imply endorsement by the United
Nations.
20). This inherent interdependence between the In the application of this definition of
long-term stability of the environment and the sustainable development, one issue concerns the
economy is the foundation of the field of substitutability of capital. There are several types
sustainable development. Similar to Porter’s win- of capital: social, natural, and man-made. The
win hypothesis that a trade-off isn’t necessary, definition of weak sustainable development
sustainable development policies look to tackle explains that only the aggregate level of capital
the sources of environmental degradation, not matters: man-made, or manufactured, capital is
just the symptoms, while still providing an adequate alternative to natural capital. Strong
opportunities and creating incentives for sustainability, on the other hand, recognizes the
economic advancement (Porter & van der Linde, unique features of natural resources that cannot
1995). be replaced by manufactured capital. Most
ecologists and environmentalists are proponents
Components of a healthy environment, of the strong sustainability definition (Stoddart,
such as clean air and water, are considered public 2011) .
goods in that they are non-rivalrous and non-
excludable. Thus, it is up to the public sector to In addition to substitutability, this
maintain the provision of these goods and definition of sustainability is also founded on
services. More recently, nations have moved several other important principles. Contained
towards the implementation of these market- within the common definition of sustainable
based mechanisms to internalize the complete development, intergenerational equity recognizes
costs of pollution and ensure long-term stability the long-term scale of sustainability in order to
of the environment; in other words, to ensure address the needs of future generations
sustainable development. (Dernbach J. C., 1998; Stoddart, 2011). Also, the
polluter pays principle states that “governments
Sustainable Development: Definition and should require polluting entities to bear the costs
Principles of their pollution rather than impose those costs
Although many definitions abound, the on others or on the environment” (Dernbach J. C.,
most often used definition of sustainable 1998, p. 58). Thus, government policy should
development is that proposed by the Brundtland ensure that environmental costs are internalized
Commission (Cerin, 2006; Dernbach J. C., 1998; wherever possible; this also serves to minimize
Dernbach J. C., 2003; Stoddart, 2011). This broad externalities.
definition, which will be used in this dissertation,
does not limit the scope of sustainability. The The precautionary principle establishes
explanation does, however, touch on the that “where there are threats of serious or
importance of intergenerational equity. This irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty
concept of conserving resources for future shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-
generations is one of the major features that effective measure to prevent environmental
distinguish sustainable development policy from degradation” (United Nations Conference on the
traditional environmental policy, which also seeks Human Environment, 1992). Therefore, the
to internalize the externalities of environmental proponent of an activity bears the burden of
degradation. The overall goal of sustainable proving that this action will not cause significant
development (SD) is the long-term stability of the harm. Explicitly stated in the Rio Declaration, the
economy and environment; this is only achievable notion of common but differentiated
through the integration and acknowledgement of responsibilities recognizes that each nation must
economic, environmental, and social concerns play their part on the issue of sustainable
throughout the decision making process. development. This principle also acknowledges
the different contributions to environmental
degradation by developed and developing
2
nations, while appreciating the future Cooper, P. J., & Vargas, M. (2004). Implementing
development needs of these less developed sustainable development: From global
countries (Brodhag & Taliere, 2006; Dernbach J. policy to local action. Lanham, MD:
C., 1998; United Nations Conference on the Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Human Environment, 1992). Developed nations, Dernbach, J. C. (1998). Sustainable development
therefore, bear greater responsibility in light of as a framework for national governance.
the resources they require and the pressures they Case Western Reserve Law Review, 1-103.
exert on the environment. Dernbach, J. C. (2003). Achieving sustainable
development: The Centrality and multiple
The key principle of sustainable facets of integrated decisionmaking.
development underlying all others is the Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies,
integration of environmental, social, and 247-285.
economic concerns into all aspects of decision Pigou, A. (1920). The Economics of welfare.
making. All other principles in the SD framework London, England: Macmillan and
have integrated decision making at their core Company.
(Dernbach J. C., 2003; Stoddart, 2011). It is this Porter, M. E., & van der Linde, C. (1995). Toward a
deeply fixed concept of integration that new conception of the environment-
distinguishes sustainability from other forms of competitiveness relationship. Journal of
policy. Economic Perspectives, 97-118.
Porter, M. E., & van der Linde, C. (1999). Green
Institutionally, government organizations and competitive: Ending the stalemate.
are typically organized into sectoral ministries and Journal of Business Administration and
departments. This works fairly well until the Politics, 215-230.
system encounters something very Stoddart, H. (2011). A Pocket guide to sustainable
comprehensive and highly integrated in nature, development governance. Stakeholder
such as sustainable development. In practice, Forum.
sustainable development requires the integration United Nations Conference on the Human
of economic, environmental, and social objectives Environment. (1992). Rio Declaration on
across sectors, territories, and generations. Environment and Development. Rio de
Therefore, sustainable development requires the Janiero, Brazil: United Nations .
elimination of fragmentation; that is, United Nations General Assembly. (1987). Report
environmental, social, and economic concerns of the world commission on environment
must be integrated throughout decision making and development: Our common future.
processes in order to move towards development Oslo, Norway: United Nations General
that is truly sustainable. Assembly, Development and International
Co-operation: Environment.
References