Introduction to Sustainable

Development

Mala N Reddy
 Concept of Sustainable Development

Idea emerged in 1970s

Development viewed differently in different times
During colonialism & world wars development
synonymous with economic growth
Social change through modernization change from
traditional to modern societies technological inputs for
improvement of traditional economies
Economic Development

Culture always seen as a barrier

Major thrust was on increasing production to
improve living standards of people with the help of
new technology
Assumption natural resources are unlimited
consequently over exploitation of land, water,
minerals, and forests.
1970s
Environmental costs of development became evident
Rise of environmental movement in the US
Industrialization and development led to massive
environmental degradation
Problems pollution, global warming, ozone depletion,
deforestation came to forefront.
Thus began a search for alternative models of development
with emphasis on sustaining natural resource of a community
by involving the ideas of the natives
Issues raised by various debates and
conferences

Development at what cost?

1970s several conferences held highlighted inter-
relation between resources, environment and population.
Major debate on population growth population and food
crisis
Raised the question of sustainable development
7 major conferences

UN Conference on the Human Environment (1972)

UN World Population Conference (1974)
World Food Conference (1974)
Second General Conference of UN Industrial Development
Organization (1975)
UN Conference on Human Settlements (1976)
UN Water Conference (March, 1977)
UN Conference on Desertification (September, 1977)
Conferences addressed worlds critical
problems
Major issues, as listed by UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs-
Expansion of carrying capacity
Development of human resources
Promotion of rational use of natural resources
Reduction of disparities of living and adoption of
appropriate life style
These issues are still relevant for sustainable development
 Brundtland Commission, 1987

1987 the World Commission on Environment and

Development (WECD) initiated the Brundtlandt
commission on biodiversity of the world, drawing
attention to the limited carrying capacity of the world.
The report brought out by the commission, Our
Common Future, set a model for work for the UN
institutions.
Brundtland Report
According to this report Sustainable Development is
defined as development which meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.
Brundtland Commission in order to clean up the
environment, the global economic growth should be
revitalized thus sustainable development should be
in accordance with the needs of the people
Needs of the people
Development in accordance with the culture because
needs are always cultural
General agreement on basic needs food, clothing and
shelter but one must not forget the human component in
sustainability
Although the Brundtland report was a landmark document,
it received a lot of criticism also
 Criticisms
The report ignores the fact that definitions of wealth,
poverty, well being, needs, scarcity and environment vary
from one culture to another the report only bases the
definition of sustainable development on western concepts
Robert Chambers 1987 spoke of bottom-up approach
people oriented approach to the concept of sustainability
It stressed on the relation between the environment and
society at local level fulfillment of needs of the people in
developing world.
The Earth Summit
Despite the various conferences and debates, development
continued in the similar fashion
1992 the UN conference on environment and
development (UNCED) The Earth Summit held in Rio
De Janeiro, Brazil.
UNCED was instrumental in setting up the necessary legal
framework for implementing sustainable development on a
global level
UNCED gave the Agenda 21 which was the plan of
action for the 21st century
Agenda 21 addressed the following issues
Social and economic issues (development assistance,
population control and alleviation of poverty)
The protection of nature and the management of natural
resources
The role of NGOs and other social groups (for eg. youth,
women, trade unions, the business sector, local
government) in sustainable development
The financial means for implementation, technology
transfer, science for development, environmental education
 Other Issues
Besides the long term agenda, there were conventions
the biodiversity convention, convention on climate
change, the forestry convention.
The US refused to make commitments but the
UNDP and UNEP agreed to channel resources in these
directions
Developing countries felt victimized by
industrialized countries
Drawbacks / Criticisms
UNCED was unable to initiate a fundamental rethinking of
the western development model and the global economic
system simply investing money in environmental
projects not enough
Earth Summit ignored the impact of unfair trade
mechanisms, problems of debt repayment will multiply
environmental problems
Agenda 21 was non-binding
Human Development
During the 1990s sustainable development was the most
popularly used term
Emergence of the concept of sustainable human
development highlighted the critical relation between
human population and natural resources
Development must enable all individuals to enlarge their
human capabilities to the fullest and put those capabilities
to the best use in all fields economic, social, cultural and
political
 Human Development
Human development is a process of enlarging peoples choices.

At all levels of development, the three essential components are for

people to lead a long and healthy life, to acquire knowledge and to
have access to the resources needed for a decent standard of living.

The objective of development is to create an enabling environment for

people to enjoy long, healthy and creative lives

1995 HDR Four essential components of human development paradigm

Productivity

Equity

Sustainability

Empowerment
Impact of Conferences and Debates
Not been able to change the existing system to a great
extent
However, conscious effort to promote the urgent need for
all countries to restrict or modify the previous development
plans
Reading
World Commission on Environment and Development. 1987.
Our Common Future. Oxford:OUP

Next Two Lectures

Millennium Development Goals