Planning Theories and Techniques (ARN-657)

Assignment 3

Sustainable Development

Introduction

“The Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of the future generations to meet their needs is termed as
Sustainable Development.” This definition of Sustainable development is the
most widely accepted one, published in the Brundtland Report in 1987.

If we go by the literal meaning of the word ‘Sustainable’, we can define

Sustainable development as one which can be sustained or prolonged or
continued over a long period of time in the future. Though most definitions of
Sustainable Development attempt to define it in a somewhat similar manner,
there is a wide range of interpretations of these definitions based on different
perspectives. Two major perspectives are the Ecologists’ and the Economists’
perspectives.

Ecologists’ Perspective - As per the Ecologists’ view, Sustainability is the

preservation of the status and functions of Ecological Systems. They emphasize
the fact that the natural ecological resources available to mankind are limited,
and ought to be shared with the entire biota as well as the future generations.
This perspective is borne out of respect and consideration for the Natural
Systems.

Economists’ perspective – This perspective associates Sustainability with the

maintenance and improvement of human living standards. The economists
view the natural resources in terms of available capital and emphasize that it
should be consumed judiciously so as to ensure their sustained availability.
In the words of Robert Solow "if sustainability is anything more than a slogan
or expression of emotion, it must amount to an injunction to preserve
productive capacity for the indefinite future"

Hence, while in the ecologists' view, natural resources have a value that goes
beyond their productive use and cannot be substituted by other forms of
capital, within the economists’ view, natural resources can be consumed and
substituted by other forms of capital, as long as future productive capacity is
maintained.
Historical Background

With the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century Britain, the
world was steered towards a new type of society. Use of technology had
increased the productivity manifold and given a boost to the economies of the
world, especially in Europe. The colonialism provided readymade markets for
these economies to flourish further.

This lead to an unprecedented rise in the aspirations of man. The quality of life
improved which lead to a boost in the population as well. It was only in the late
19th century when man started to discover that his economic and industrial
activities had a significant impact on the environment. Several Ecological crises
shook the world in the 19th and 20th centuries which established the fact that
this model of development had a host of long lasting negative impacts on the
environment. Events like mercury contamination at Minamata Bay, Bhopal Gas
Tragedy, Chernobyl Disaster and the visible effects of phenomena like Global
warming, air pollution, Ozone layer depletion, loss of biodiversity etc.
convinced the world society that an alternative Sustainable model of
Development was needed to replace the profit driven industrial model.

As a result, in 1972, the first UN Conference on Environment took place in

Stockholm, where many big world leaders of the time met and discussed about
the human impact on the environment and how it was related to economic
development. Gradually, the idea that progress isn’t only about economic
growth started gaining momentum. Scales to measure an overall social and
economic growth, such as the HDI were developed. Concepts like ecological
footprints were introduced to quantify the ecological impact of human
activities and to devise methods to systematically control, thereby reducing it.
All these steps were put under the umbrella of Sustainable Development.

Present Context

Sustainable Development has attracted much attention in the academic,

governance, planning and development fields in the recent years. A wide range
of governmental and non-governmental bodies appear to have accepted it as
an appropriate development methodology. This is because most people seem
to agree that the challenges confronting humankind today such as climate
change, depletion of ozone layer, water scarcity, loss of vegetation, inequality,
insecurity, hunger, deprivation and poverty can be addressed by adhering to
the tenets and principles of Sustainable Development.
However, the realization of the importance of the term remains at a
conceptual level. We lack actual practical execution of these principles due to a
number of reasons. In developing countries, a switchover from the traditional
systems and technologies to modern, environment friendly or sustainable
technologies becomes difficult due to lack of sufficient capital as well as lack of
awareness. Also, the acceptance of sustainable development principles
demands a change in the lifestyle of the people. The carbon footprint per
capita is maximum in the developed countries. Thus a change at the social level
is also needed to bring the world closer to the global sustainability goals.

It can be therefore said that the Sustainable development is a function of three

major interdependent and interlinked factors – Environmental Sustainability,
Economic Sustainability and Social Sustainability.

Conclusion

The ultimate aim of Sustainable Development is to achieve a balance among

environmental, economic and social sustainability, thus, making these the
pillars on which Sustainable Development rests. It cannot be achieved through
isolated initiatives. Integrated efforts at various levels, comprising social,
environmental and economic aspects are needed. The successful
implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals will rely upon
understanding the complex relationships between the three pillars of
Sustainable Development. The causal relationship between Social, Economic
and Environmental Sustainability needs to be understood, studied and duly
considered while all major decision making and policy formulation stages. An
integrated approach towards sustainability would require realising the
potentials of its key dimensional pillars simultaneously, as well as managing
the tensions, interactions and exchanges among these dimensions. More
importantly, in doing so, a key role has to be played by international
organisations and agencies such as the UN, governments of various countries,
nongovernmental organisations and civil society organisations.

Sustainable Development thrives on the commitment of people, and so, in

order to translate the concept into action, public participation should be
increased. All people must be aware and acknowledge that their survival and
the survival of the future generations depends on responsible behaviour
regarding consumption and production, environment and progressives social
values. It is only by integrating these pillars, can negative impacts be reduced,
positive changes observed, and meaningful Sustainable Development made to
happen. It implies that economic, social and environmental “sustainability”
form elements of a dynamic system. They cannot be pursued in isolation for
Sustainable Development to flourish. Therefore all decisions should seek to
encourage positive growth and equilibrium within the natural system.

We should understand that ensuring sustainable development is everyone’s

business. Global, regional, national organisations as well as governments and
civil society organisations should show ownership, leadership and citizenship.
At the same time, public participation and awareness is also must in order to
make sustainable development a common goal etched in the collective
consciousness of the human society.

- Manan Monga
(M.U.R.P. Semester 1)