Sustainable Development

What is the definition of sustainable development?

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What are the three pillars of sustainable development?

Economic, social, and environmental

What does the economic pillar of sustainable development focus on?

Growth, GDP, employment, productivity, trade, and innovation while ensuring long-term prosperity without depleting resources.

What does the social pillar of sustainable development emphasize?

Equity, health, education, human rights, women empowerment, and cultural diversity for inclusive development.

What is the focus of the environmental pillar of sustainable development?

Natural resource protection, climate stability, and biodiversity maintenance to uphold planetary boundaries.

What is the 'triple bottom line' of sustainable development?

The balance of economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection.

What significant report first defined sustainable development?

The Brundtland Report (1987) titled 'Our Common Future'.

Who chaired the Brundtland Commission that published the 1987 report?

Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, who also chaired the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) that published the report.

What were the key outcomes of the Rio Earth Summit in 1992?

•Agenda 21 -a comprehensive action plan for sustainable development at global, national, and local levels

•Rio Declaration on Environment and Development -27 principles, including the precautionary principle and common but differentiated responsibilities

•Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) -established to monitor progress

What was the significance of the Rio Earth Summit in 1992?

•Translated the Brundtland vision (1987) into concrete global agreements
•Marked the beginning of climate change negotiations under the UNFCCC

What are the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?

8 goals set by the UN in 2000 to be achieved by 2015, focusing on poverty, education, gender equality, and health.

What are the 8 MDGs?

1.Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

2.Achieve universal primary education

3.Promote gender equality and empower women

4.Reduce child mortality

5.Improve maternal mortality

6.Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

7.Ensure environmental sustainability

8.Develop a global partnership for development

What are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

17 goals with 169 targets adopted in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, covering economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

What are the 17 SDGs?

1. No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

3. Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning.

5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive economic growth and decent work for all.

9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive industrialization, and foster innovation.

10. Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

14. Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources.

15. Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, forests, and biodiversity.

16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful societies, access to justice, and build accountable institutions.

17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

What is the significance of the SDGs?

They aim to integrate poverty, inequality, environment, governance, and peace, applying universally to all countries.

What are the key features of the SDGs?

1.Integration of poverty, inequality, environment, governance, and peace

2.Emphasis on leaving no one behind

3.Recognition of climate change and planetary boundaries

4.Strong role for partnerships, innovation, and financing mechanisms

5.Progress tracked through indicators and voluntary national reviews

What is the Sustainable Development Index (SDI)?

An alternative measure to HDI that includes human well-being and ecological sustainability, adjusting development outcomes by ecological impact.

What is the planetary boundaries framework? Who developed it and when? Who updated it and when?

Developed by Rockströmet al. (2009) and updated by Steffen et al. (2015). The framework emphasizes Earth as an integrated system, where exceeding thresholds in one area affects others.

What are the nine planetary boundaries identified in the framework?

Climate change, novel entities, stratospheric ozone depletion, atmospheric aerosol loading, ocean acidification, biogeochemical flows, freshwater change, land system change, and biosphere integrity.

Which planetary boundaries have already been crossed?

Climate change, biodiversity loss, land-system change, and nitrogen/phosphorus cycles.

Which planetary boundaries are under severe pressure?

freshwater, ocean acidification, novel entities

What is the role of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)?

To monitor progress on sustainable development initiatives.

What was the outcome of the 1972 UN conference on the Human Environment?

It explored the relationship between quality of life and environmental quality.

What is the significance of the SDG report 2024?

It indicates that only 17% of the SDGs are on track for completion.

What does the precautionary principle in the Rio Declaration entail?

Taking preventive action in the face of uncertainty regarding environmental harm.

What is the focus of the indicators framework for measuring sustainable development?

Using sets of indicators like SDG, HDI, and GPI to track progress.

What is the capital-based approach in measuring sustainable development?

Measuring stocks of natural, human, social, and produced capital that underpin development.

What does the term 'leaving no one behind' refer to in the context of SDGs?

The commitment to ensure that all people benefit from sustainable development efforts.

What is the significance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development?

It provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.

What does the term 'novel entities' refer to in the planetary boundaries framework?

The amount of synthetic substances released into the environment, including chemical pollution and plastics.

What is the goal of integrating environment into national accounts?

To develop a Green GDP that reflects ecological sustainability in economic measures.

What is the relationship between sustainable development and climate change?

Sustainable development aims to address climate change through integrated economic, social, and environmental strategies.