"Sustainable development" is a holistic approach to development that aims to meet the needs of the

present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This
concept involves harmonizing three core elements: economic growth, social inclusion, and
environmental protection. Here's an explanation of each element:

1. **Economic Growth:**

Sustainable development recognizes the importance of economic growth but emphasizes that it
should be achieved in a way that does not deplete or harm resources in the long term. Instead of
focusing solely on short-term gains, sustainable economic growth seeks to balance economic
progress with the preservation of natural resources, ensuring that economic activities contribute
positively to the overall well-being of society.

2. **Social Inclusion:**

Inclusive development is a key aspect of sustainable development. It stresses the importance of

ensuring that the benefits of economic growth and development are shared equitably among all
members of society. This includes addressing issues of poverty, inequality, and social injustice. Social
inclusion promotes equal opportunities for education, healthcare, and participation in decision-
making processes, fostering a society where everyone has a chance to thrive.

3. **Environmental Protection:**

Sustainable development places a strong emphasis on environmental protection. It recognizes that

the health of the planet is crucial for the well-being of current and future generations. This involves
responsible resource management, reducing pollution, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and
protecting biodiversity. The goal is to ensure that development activities do not harm ecosystems but
instead contribute to their preservation and regeneration.

The concept of sustainable development acknowledges the interconnectedness of economic, social,

and environmental factors. It promotes a balanced and integrated approach to development that
considers the long-term consequences of decisions and actions. By adopting sustainable practices,
societies aim to create a resilient and inclusive future, safeguarding the well-being of both people
and the planet.

In summary, sustainable development is about building a future that is economically viable, socially
equitable, and environmentally responsible. It recognizes the need to meet the current generation's
needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, fostering a
harmonious and sustainable coexistence between humans and the environment.
Adoption of a sustainable way of life involves embracing practices and behaviors that can be
maintained over the long term without causing harm to the environment or depleting natural
resources. Here's a breakdown of the provided statements:

a. **It refers to a process or state that can be maintained indefinitely:**

This statement emphasizes the longevity and continuity of a sustainable way of life. Sustainability is
not just about meeting immediate needs but ensuring that the practices and processes in place can
persist over time without causing negative impacts on the environment or depleting essential
resources.

b. **Natural resources must be used in ways that do not create ecological debts by over-exploiting
the carrying and productive capacity of the earth:**

This statement underscores the responsible use of natural resources. Adopting a sustainable way of
life involves recognizing the limits of the Earth's carrying capacity and avoiding over-exploitation that
could lead to ecological debts. This includes considering the regeneration rates of resources and
ensuring that consumption does not exceed the planet's ability to replenish them.

c. **A minimum necessary condition for sustainability is the maintenance of the total natural capital
stock at or above the current level:**

This statement highlights the importance of maintaining the overall natural capital stock, which
includes various elements such as forests, biodiversity, clean air, and water. The idea is that to
achieve sustainability, we should strive to keep the total stock of natural capital, which represents
the Earth's wealth of resources and ecosystems, at a level that is sustainable over time.

In summary, adopting a sustainable way of life involves practices that prioritize long-term well-being,
consider ecological limits, and aim to maintain or enhance natural capital rather than deplete it. It's
about living in harmony with the environment, recognizing the interconnectedness of ecosystems,
and ensuring that current actions do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their
needs.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established by the United Nations in 2015 as
part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals address various global challenges
and aim to promote sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental
dimensions. Each goal has specific targets, totaling 169 targets, to be achieved by 2030. Here is an
overview of the 17 SDGs and their associated targets:

1. **Goal 1: No Poverty**

- Target 1.1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

- Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages
living in poverty.

2. **Goal 2: Zero Hunger**

- Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in
vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.

3. **Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being**

- Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live
births.

- Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.

- Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality
essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential
medicines and vaccines.

4. **Goal 4: Quality Education**

- Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary
and secondary education.

5. **Goal 5: Gender Equality**

- Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

- Target 5.5: Ensure women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership
at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.

6. **Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation**

- Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water
for all.
 - Target 6.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and
end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in
vulnerable situations.

7. **Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy**

- Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.

8. **Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth**

- Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in
particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed
countries.

9. **Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure**

- Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional
and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.

10. **Goal 10: Reduced Inequality**

- Target 10.1: By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent
of the population at a rate higher than the national average.

11. **Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities**

- Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic
services and upgrade slums.

12. **Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production**

- Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and
reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.

13. **Goal 13: Climate Action**

- Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural
disasters in all countries.

14. **Goal 14: Life Below Water**

 - Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly
from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.

15. **Goal 15: Life on Land**

- Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and
inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

16. **Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions**

- Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

17. **Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals**

- Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by
multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and
financial resources.

These goals and targets provide a comprehensive framework for global action to address major
challenges and work towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.