Introduction

“Without environmental sustainability, economic

sustainability and social cohesion cannot be achieved”. – Phil
Harding, a British archeologist

00:09/03:27

With new developments and advancements in technology, the

world has also witnessed constant exploitation of nature which
has led to alarming problems like global warming, ozone
depletion, climate change, pollution, deforestation and many
other environmental threats. It is important for us to take
immediate action for preserving our planet and sustainable
development is the answer to a better environment and secure
future.

Defining Sustainable Development

Sustainable development defined by the United Nations goes by
the concept of “development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs”.

Sustainable development is a formulated attitude that moves

forward towards economic extension while ensuring quality in the
environment for the coming generations. Sustainable
development incorporates conservation, preservation and
nurturing of Earth and the environment while stepping towards
economic growth. Sustainable development guarantees to create
a balance between development and ecology.

Origin and background of Sustainable

Development
The seeds for the idea of sustainable development were planted
as long as in the year 1972 in the Stockholm Declaration.
However the concept came into being in the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio De
Janeiro in the year 1992, it wasn’t until this renounced summit
that the first world countries and major world leaders came to
acknowledge the extreme need of sustainable development in
order to overcome crucial challenges that were to be faced.

A report, famously called the ‘Brundtland report’ was drafted

subjugated as per the commission of Norway’s ex-prime minister
Ms.G.H Brundtland in 1987 under the UN conference on
environment and development. Prime Minister Brundtland defined
sustainable development as “development that meets the needs
of the present without compromising the ability of the future
generations to meet their own needs”[1] These ideas were later
used to form the laying foundation for the doctrine of sustainable
development.

Scope of Sustainable Development

The entirety of sustainable development is an international and
collaborative approach that focuses on environmental,
developmental and sustainable aspects of the society that
impacts its socio-economic development. It emphasizes its
concerns to the complex relationship between the environment
and development and searches for attaining all developmental
achievements along with maintaining a healthy environment for
humans and their activities.

The term sustainability is widely used to indicate programs,

initiatives and actions aimed at the preservation of
resources [2] albeit human, social, economic and development are
known as the four pillars of sustainable development.

Although the theme of sustainable development contains the

scope as related to:[3]

1. The technology, economical, ethical and philosophical

aspect of sustainable development.
2. Mutual connection and interaction of society,
environment and growth- both economical and
developmental.
 3. Global sustainability as a common goal, where the
obstacles and aims are taken over as a group.
4. Developing, verifying, implementing and monitoring
policies for sustainable development.
5. Sustainable use of water, land, energy and biological
resources in development.
6. Taking initiatives in local and regional activities to
increase the awareness of the relevance of sustainable
development.
7. Impacting the population and human activities on food
and other essential resources of development.
8. Finding alternatives to the shortcomings of sustainable
development.
9. Planning and economic growth plan that ensures least
environmental impact.
10. Attending the urgent economic needs without
compromising the global conditions for future
generations.
Importance of Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is important because it combats with
the environmental crisis while facing the challenge of economic
growth. Sustainable development keeps in check the need to
leave enough resources for the coming up generations, it also
signifies good cooperating citizens, this activity demonstrates that
organizations in healthcare systems, big and small industries, all
kinds of businesses and other occupations can coordinate their
power and resources that will be profitable to the economical,
social and physical environment[4] in which we live.

Goals and Principles of Sustainable

Development
The Brundtland Commission Report had received support from all
over the world, some of its principles highlight the concept of
sustainable development, as discussed in Rio De Janeiro in 1992
and Agenda 21, these goals include: [5]

1. Eradication of extreme poverty for all people from

everywhere by the year 2030.
2. Ending hunger and achieving food security along with
improvised nutrition by 2030
3. Catering healthy lives and promoting well being and
good healthy lives for all ages at every place on earth
by the year 2030.
4. To provide for quality education and ensure all girls
and boys and children get free, equitable and quality
primary and secondary education despite their gender
by 2030.
5. To achieve gender equality and empowering all women
and girls of all ages, caste, religion, and nationality.
6. Have the availability and sustainable management of
clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
7. Cater to affordable and clean energy which is reliable,
sustainable and renewable for every purpose and for
every individual by 2030.
8. Promote inclusive, sustained and decent work and
economic growth for all.
9. Building a resilient infrastructure which promotes
industrial and innovative infrastructure and remains
inclusive and fosters industrialization by 2030.
10. To aim to reduce inequality within and among
other countries by 2030.
11. Ensuring cities and human settlements to be
inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable for all
communities.
12. Responsible consumption and production which
guarantees sustainable consumption and products
patterns.
13. Initiating urgent actions to battle with climate
change and it’s harmful impact on our Earth.
14. Strengthening the means of implementation and
revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable
development.
15. Conserving and sustainably using the oceans,
seas and marine resources for the life that is below the
water.
16. To protect, restore and promote sustainable use
of terrestrial ecosystems and fight desertification and
halt biodiversity loss for the life living on the land.
 17. Providing peace, justice and strong institutions by
vocaling the requirements for a more peaceful and
sustainable society that provides justice to all.
Some primary principles of sustainable development are
incorporated as:[6]

1. Intergenerational equity
2. Usage and conservation of natural resources
3. Environmental protection
4. Poverty eradication
5. Precautionary Pay Principal
6. Principle of Public Trust doctrine
7. Polluter Pay Principle
8. The Principle of liability to help and cooperate.
Sustainable Development in India
The ecosystem in India is in grave distress, where the agriculture
has seemingly declined, 10% of flora and fauna are on the verge
of extinction and over half of the water bodies are polluted, two-
third of the land is degraded and modern wastes that include
industrial as well as chemical waste is being disposed of in water
bodies since it cannot be renewed.[7]

Despite the degrading environmental condition of the country

India has played an important character in improving it’s
condition. It works on the parameters of ideation, diplomacy and
institution. It has become one of the first countries to participate
in Voluntary National Reviews that surveys various measures and
graphs to check on the progress of goals leading up to
sustainable development. India has also constantly funded the
United Nations trusts for the SDGs, it works with the G77 and
collaborates with them to reach to a consensus where countries
agree to reap benefits for their developmental growth as well as
maintain the decorum of nature.

Initiatives are taken by the Government

Several acts and laws have been passed by to ensure protection

and preservation of flora and fauna these include:
 1. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
1974
2. The Forest (Conservation) Act 1980
3. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1980
4. The Environment (Protection) Act 1986
I. The legislature also introduced a National Green Tribunal under
National Green Tribunal Act, 2010; the tribunal has the goal to
dispose of cases quickly and effectively to the issues related to
multi-corporal matters which are related to the environment. The
Tribunal does not follow Code of Civil Procedure 1908. The
Tribunal has aided in lessening the burden of the higher courts
and helped in fast hearings.

ii. India then initiated the National Clean Air Programmed 2019 to
effectively imply the importance and urge of clean air and the
need to reduce air pollution and improve the Air Quality Index.

iii. An integrated mission in 2014 was introduced the Namami

Ganges Mission with the objective to preserve and rejuvenate the
river Ganges. It focuses on the development and maintenance of
sewage treatment infrastructure and factory effluents handling.

iv. State Action Plans on Climate Change aim to capacities and

implement sector activities that focus on climate change. Till date
28 states and 5 Union Territories have endorsed themselves with
the SAPCC and adapted to benefit in sectors like water, land, air,
migration tourism, forestry, agricultural and etc.

India has also been a part of the Paris Agreement and has put its
effort by forming many more acts and agreements like the Clean
Development Mechanism project in India, Coal Cess and the
National Clean Energy Fund, National Adaptation Fund of Climate
Change and many more.

Conclusion
In this fast pacing world where on one side we are reaching
towards new heights of advancement, it is essential for us as a
global community to take conscious steps and actions that will
ample resources for the coming generation but nurse the issues
that might cause a difficult tomorrow. Sustainable Development is
the modern and most suitable solution for these problems, thus
more efforts should be put in to reach the goals of sustainable
development.

India as a growing country and a potentially powerful influence in

the contemporary world has hustled towards making several
attempts to balance development and the environment on the
same plate without harming or hindering each other. However, it
is a long way to go and achieve the goal of a self-sustainable and
self-developed country.

Reference

https://lawcorner.in/meaning-principles-and-goals-of-sustainable-development-in-india/