Course Title: Education for Sustainable Development

Course Code EDUC3146

Objective of 1st Lecture: You will be able to understand the concept, meaning and scope of
Sustainable development

M eaning of Sustainable Development:

The term sustainable development has been defined and discussed in a different manner in
academic literature. In 1980s, the term was discussed in a book entitled “Our Common Future”,
and in a report named as the Brundtland Report, 1987. These two publications have detailed the
implications of sustainable development for academic enquiry, policy making and action.

In the 1980s, increasing concern about the effects of economic development on health, natural
resources and the environment led the United Nations to release the Brundtland Report. This
defines sustainable development as ‘development which meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’

In broad terms, sustainable development is a process that aims for human well-being and
economic development, whilst ensuring that ecological systems are in balance. To be
successfully achieve this necessary and challenging change, it is vitally important for everyone to
take responsibility and do what is possible from their perspective.

C oncept of Sustainable Development:

The concept of sustainable development (SD) can be defined as maintenance and sustainable
utilisation of the functions (goods and services) provided by natural ecosystems and biospheric
processes. These concepts emphasize in maximising the biological system goals (genetic
diversity, resilience, biological productivity), economic system goals (meeting basic minimum
needs, equity etc.), and social system goals (social justice, people’s participation, etc.)
simultaneously. It also refers to improve the quality of human life. SD is defined as the interface
between environmental, economic and social sustainability. Sustainable development is
commonly described as finding a balance between ecology, the economy and society – three

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interdependent areas in a complex system. Yet it is important to remember that neither society
nor the economy would exist without diverse ecology.

In simple words, we can say that sustainable development involves maintaining our current rate
of development whilst leaving suitable resources behind for later generations to continue to
develop. In this context then, environmental problems must be tackled by considering their
relationship with the state of the economy and the wellbeing of society. In fact, the environment,
the economy and society taken together, include everything that we need to consider for a
healthy, prosperous and stable life.

Although sustainable development is about integrating the environment, society and economy, ,
and in turn society exist within the wider context of the environment. The economy exists
entirely within society, because all parts of the human economy require interaction among
people. However, society is much more than just the economy. Happiness, pleasure and well-
being do not solely depend on financial growth. Friends and families, culture, religion and ethics
are important elements of society that contribute to the overall quality of life. Society, in turn,
exists entirely within the environment. Our basic requirements – air, food and water come from
the environment, as do the energy and natural resources for housing, transportation and the
products we depend on. Protection of the environment, therefore, resides at the core of
Sustainable Development.
 P rinciples of Sustainable Development:

1. The principle of holistic approach. It refers that things must be viewed as a system of inter-
related elements which influence each other. The issues can only be resolved based on
knowledge about local and wider trends.
2. Principle of intra-generational and inter-generational solidarity. The interests of sustainable
development are focused on people. The development and environmental needs of present
generations must be addressed without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.
3. The principle of social justice. The right to adequate conditions for living must be recognised
and fundamental human rights must be guaranteed for all. All people should have equal
opportunities for acquiring knowledge and skills required to become worthy members of society.
4. The principle of sustainable management of resources. Sustainable management of resources
with a view to the limitations of the carrying capacity of the environment; by using natural
resources and preserving the resources for future development. Preserving the biodiversity
should also be given priority.
5. The principle of integration. It refers to the coordination between local, regional and national
activities. All the policies and plan should be designed and elaborated taking into account all
economic, social, and environmental considerations.
6. The principle of utilising local resources. Preservation and sustainable utilisation of the man-
made environment and local and cultural heritage should be given preferences.

7. The principle of public participation. Adequate access to information affecting

social/economic life and the environment, to information on decision making processes must be
provided for all. People’s knowledge about sustainable development, its social/economic and
environmental implications, and about sustainable solutions and approaches must be clarified
and enhanced. Public participation in decision making should be strengthened.

8. The principle of social responsibility. Social responsibility must be strengthened, along with
cooperation between the private and the public sector.

9. The principle of precaution and prevention. Human activities must be planned and carried out
in line with the precautionary principle. Any activities which are damaging or polluting the
environment or endangering natural systems and human health must be prevented.

10. The polluter pays principle. Those engaged in activities damaging/polluting the environment
must pay for damage caused to human health or the environment.

We also need to be emphasised on following sub principles:

Health and quality of life: Health and quality of life are the core priorities of sustainable
development concerns.

Social equity and solidarity: Equity and social ethic must be ensured at all levels.

Environmental protection: To achieve sustainable development, environmental protection must

receive top attention.

Economic efficiency: Economic progress and efficiency should be done keeping in view to the
rules of social protection and safety of the environment.

Participation and commitment: The participation and commitment of citizens should have a
common understanding of its environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Access to knowledge: Measures favourable to education, access to information and research
must be encouraged in order to stimulate innovation, raise awareness and ensure effective
participation of the public in the implementation of sustainable development.

Subsidiarity: Powers and responsibilities must be delegated to the appropriate level of authority.
Decision-making centres should be adequately distributed and as close as possible to the citizens
and communities concerned.

Inter-governmental partnership and cooperation: Governments must collaborate to ensure that

development is sustainable from an environmental, social and economic standpoint.

Prevention: In the presence of a known risk, preventive, mitigating and corrective actions must
be taken, with priority given to actions at the source.

Precaution: When there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific
certainty must not be used as a reason for postponing the adoption of effective measures to
prevent environmental degradation.

Protection of cultural heritage: The cultural heritage, made up of property, sites, landscapes,
traditions and knowledge, reflects the identity of a society. It passes on the values of a society
from generation to generation, and the preservation of this heritage fosters the sustainability of
development. Cultural heritage components must be identified, protected and enhanced, taking
their intrinsic rarity and fragility into account.

Biodiversity preservation: Biological diversity offers incalculable advantages and must be

preserved for the benefit of present and future generations. The protection of species, ecosystems
and the natural processes that maintain life is essential if quality of human life is to be
maintained.

Respect for ecosystem support capacity: Human activities must be respectful of the support
capacity of ecosystems.

Responsible production and consumption: Production and consumption patterns must be

changed in order to make production and consumption more viable and more socially and
environmentally responsible, in particular through an eco-efficient approach that avoids waste
and optimizes the use of resources.
Polluter pays: Those who generate pollution or whose actions otherwise degrade the
environment must bear their share of the cost of measures to prevent, reduce, control and
mitigate environmental damage.

Internalization of costs: The value of goods and services must reflect all the costs they generate
for society during their whole life cycle, from their design to their final consumption and their
disposal.

11. References:

h ttp://www.biologydiscussion.com/sustainable-development/sustainable-development-
definition- p rinciples-and-other-details/16673

h ttps://howandwhen.org/what-are-the-main-principles-of-sustainable-development/

Reflective Questions:

a) How would you define Sustainable Development?

b) Why sustainable development is considered as an integrated concept? Give appropriate
example.
c) What are the different principles of sustainable development? Comment on their
significance for a sustained society?