HISTORY Outcomes of Rio +20 included a process for developing new SDGs, to take

effect from 2015 and to encourage focused action on SD in all sectors of

The concept of sustainable development was put forward by the International global development agenda
Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources in 1980. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable Development finally came to prominence in 1987 when the
United Nations’ World Commission on Environment and Development  It is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising
chaired by former and later Norwegian prime minister Gro Harlem the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Brundtland, published its report Our Common Future. The central  Sustainable development aims at achieving social progress, environmental
recommendation of this document, usually known as the Brundtland report, equilibrium, and economic growth.
was that the way to square the circle of competing demands for environmental  In general, SD is a means of development that lasts; one that pursues a path
protection and economic development was through a new approach: that is lasting and continuing.
sustainable development.
The Brundtland report engendered the United Nations Conference on Two key concepts:
Environment and Development (UNCED), known as the Rio Earth Summit, in o the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world’s poor to
1992. The UNCED had several key outcomes for SD articulated in the which overriding priority should be given.
conference outcome document, namely Agenda 21. It stated that SD should o the idea of limitations, imposed by the state of technology and social
become a priority item on the agenda of the international community” and organization on the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs.
proceeded to recommend that national strategies be designed and developed to
address economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable PILLARS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
development.
In 2002 the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), known as The three main issues of sustainable development are economic growth,
Rio+10, was held in Johannesburg to review progress in implementing the environmental protection and social equality. The ultimate aim of SD is to achieve a
outcomes from the Rio Earth Summit. WSSD developed a plan of balance among environmental, economic, and social sustainability thus making these
implementation for the actions set out in Agenda 21, known as the the pillars on which SD rest. These pillars are “economic sustainability”, “social
Johannesburg Plan, and also launched a number of multi-stakeholder sustainability”, and ‘environmental sustainability.
partnerships for SD.
In 2012, 20 years after the first Rio Earth Summit, the United Nations A. Economic Sustainability - it implies a system of production that satisfies present
Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) or Rio+ 20 was held. The consumption levels without compromising future needs.
conference focused on two themes in the context of sustainable development:
green economy and an institutional framework. Thus, in 2012, SD was  Traditionally economy is assuming that the supply of natural resources was
identified as one of the five key priorities by the United Nations (UN) unlimited placed under emphasis on the capacity of the market to allocate
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in the UN action agenda, highlighting the resources efficiently. They also believed that economic growth would be
key role SD should play in international and national development policies, accompanied by the technological advancement to replenish natural resources
programmes and agenda. destroyed in the production process. However, it has been realized that natural
resources are not infinite and besides not all of them can be replenished.
  Economic sustainability requires that decisions are made in the most equitable
and fiscally sound way possible, while considering the other aspects of
sustainability.

B. Social Sustainability – encompasses notions of equity, empowerment,

accessibility, participation, cultural identity and institutional stability. The concept SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
implies that people matter since development is about people.
Sustainable Development Goals (SGD) is the new development agenda and it
 Basically, social sustainability connotes a system of social organization that will interconnect the three elements of sustainable development: economic growth,
alleviates poverty. In this regard, the theory of social sustainability posits that social inclusion and environmental sustainability. The SDGs are the result of a three
the alleviation of poverty should neither entail unwarranted environmental year long transparent, participatory process inclusive of all stakeholders and people’s
destruction nor economic instability. It should aim to alleviate poverty within voices. They represent an unprecedented agreement around sustainable development
the existing environmental and economic resource base of the society. priorities among 193 Member States. They have received worldwide support from
 According to Kolk, social sustainability is not about ensuring that everyone’s civil society, business, parliamentarians and other actors. The decision to launch a
needs are met. Rather, its aims at providing enabling conditions for everyone process to develop a set of SDGs was made by UN Member States at the United
to have the capacity to realize their needs, if they so desire. Anything that Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), held in Rio de Janeiro in
impedes this capacity is considered a barrier, and needs to be addressed in June 2012. The SDGs came in to effect in January 2016 and aim to foster economic
order for individuals, organization or community to make progress towards growth, ensure social inclusion and protect the environment. There are 17 new
social sustainability. Sustainable Development Goals crafted that envisioned to end all forms of poverty
 Above all, social sustainability also encompasses many issues such as human and ensure no one is left behind. The new development agenda was officially adopted
rights, gender equity and equality, public participation and rule of law all of by world leaders at the UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015.
which promote peace and social stability for sustainable development.
C. Environmental Sustainability – it is about the natural environment and how it
remains productive and resilient to support human life. Environmental
sustainability relates to ecosystem integrity and carrying capacity of natural
environment.

 It requires that natural capital be sustainably used as a source of economic

inputs and as a sink for waste. The implication is that natural resources must
be harvested no faster than they can be regenerated while waste must be
emitted no faster than they can be assimilated by the environment. This is
because the earth systems have limits or boundaries within which equilibrium
is maintained.
 The SDGs set a goal to protect the planet “so it can support the needs of the
present and future generations.”
Nearly every day we are seeing just how connected – and fundamental –
ELEMENTS UNDERPINNING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT climate change is to global development. Recent reports from the Intergovernmental
GOALS Panel on Climate Change and the impacts already felt around the world make clear
that we need to increase urgency and ambition on climate change and environmental
The Goals will stimulate action over the next 15 years in 5 areas of critical protection.
importance:
PROSPERITY
5Ps The SDGs aim to “ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and
People, fulfilling lives and that economic, social, and technological progress occurs in
Planet harmony with nature.”
Prosperity Inequality is one of the defining issues of this generation and requires a
Peace commensurate focus that, to date has been lacking. Trends toward achieving a shared
Partnership prosperity have largely stalled, as the world struggles with a slowing economy and
rising inequality. Progress on decent work has been slower than expected, with
reductions in unemployment not matched with improvements in the quality of work.

PEACE
The SDGs rightly note that “There can be no sustainable development without
peace and no peace without sustainable development.” Therefore, they set out goals
to foster peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.
Conflict threatens human rights; it also threatens our development gains and
has been increasing in recent years. 5.1 billion people lack meaningful access to
One way to measure progress is to focus on the “5 Ps” that shape the SDGs: justice, including at least 253 million people living in extreme conditions of injustice
People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships. The 5 Ps highlight how the SDGs and 4.5 billion excluded from the opportunities provided by the law, such as legal
are an intertwined framework. Progress on one P must balance and support progress identity, proof of housing, or land tenure. Often the most vulnerable populations find
on another. it the hardest to access justice, which increases the risk they will continue to be left
behind.
PEOPLE
The SDGs declare the world’s determination “to end poverty and hunger, in
all their forms and dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfill their PARTNERSHIPS
potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.” The SDGs call for “a spirit of strengthened global solidarity.” Problems that
cross geographies and sectors require collaboration that does as well.
PLANET
 The good news is that we’re seeing a variety of players step up for the SDGs,
from youth activists striking for climate action to cities embracing sustainable living
conditions to corporations embedding sustainability into their core plans.