THE VARIOUS MODELS OF GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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🌍 THE VARIOUS MODELS OF GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Meaning:
These models and frameworks explain how countries, organizations, and people can work together toward sustainability — balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and social equality.


🧭 1. The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Framework

Definition:
A global plan adopted by the United Nations in 2015 with 17 goals to be achieved by 2030.

Goal:
To end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for everyone.

Key Areas Covered:

  • Poverty and hunger

  • Gender equality

  • Climate action

  • Quality education

  • Peace and justice

In short:

The SDGs = a roadmap for a better, fairer, and greener world 🌎


2. The Triple Bottom Line (Three Pillars) Model

Definition:
A sustainability model that focuses on three Ps: People, Planet, and Profit.

Dimension

Focus / Description

💰 Economic (Profit)

Ensures long-term growth without harming society or the environment.

🌿 Environmental (Planet)

Protects natural resources and biodiversity.

👥 Social (People)

Promotes fairness, equality, and access to basic needs like health, housing, and education.

In short:

Real success = not just money 💸, but also people 👥 and planet 🌏.

Mnemonic:
💡 3P Model = People, Planet, Profit.


🍩 3. The Doughnut Model of Economy

Developed by: Economist Kate Raworth

Definition:
Visualizes sustainable development like a doughnut 🍩

  • The inner ring = basic human needs (social foundation)

  • The outer ring = ecological limits (environmental ceiling)

Goal:
To keep human progress inside the doughnut — where everyone’s needs are met without harming the Earth.

In short:

Too little → poverty 😞
Too much → planet damage 🌋
Just right → sustainable growth 🍩


🌿 4. The Ecological Economics Model

Definition:
Views the economy as part of the environment, not separate from it.
It reminds us that natural resources are finite — so growth must respect ecological limits.

Goal:
Maintain a steady-state economy — where resource use and waste are balanced within nature’s capacity.

In short:

The environment isn’t part of the economy — the economy is part of the environment. 🌱


💎 5. Natural Capitalism

Definition:
A model that values nature and natural resources (“natural capital”) as part of the economy.

Main Idea:
Businesses should treat natural resources as assets, not as things to exploit.

Focus Areas:

  • Resource efficiency

  • Renewable energy 🌞

  • Waste reduction (closed-loop systems 🔁)

Goal:
To make business profitable and sustainable at the same time.


🔁 6. Circular Economy Model

Definition:
A system that minimizes waste and keeps materials circulating through reuse, repair, and recycling.

Opposite of:
The linear economy → “Take → Make → Dispose.”

Goal:
Create a regenerative cycle where nothing goes to waste and resources are used again and again.

Example:
Companies that recycle old products into new ones (like reusing plastic bottles to make clothes).

In short:

“Don’t throw it away — make it stay.” 🔁


🌏 7. The Brundtland Commission Model

Origin:
From the 1987 Brundtland Report (World Commission on Environment and Development).

Definition:
Defines sustainable development as:

“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations.”

Core Idea:

  • Balance today’s progress with tomorrow’s survival.

  • Promotes intergenerational equity (fairness between generations).

In short:

Think long-term — protect the future while improving the present. 🌱


🧠 8. The Capabilities Approach

Developed by:
Economist Amartya Sen

Definition:
Focuses on improving people’s capabilities (what they can actually do and be), not just growing the economy.

Key Factors:

  • Education 🎓

  • Healthcare

  • Political freedom 🗳

  • Social inclusion 👥

Goal:
To give people the freedom to live the life they value while promoting equality and sustainability.

In short:

Sustainable development = empowering people, not just expanding the economy. 🌏


🧩 SUMMARY TABLE

Model

Core Idea

🌎 SDGs Framework

17 global goals for peace, prosperity, and sustainability.

Triple Bottom Line

People, Planet, and Profit must balance.

🍩 Doughnut Model

Meet human needs without harming Earth.

🌿 Ecological Economics

Economy is a subset of the environment.

💎 Natural Capitalism

Nature = valuable capital; use resources efficiently.

🔁 Circular Economy

Reuse, recycle, and reduce waste.

🌏 Brundtland Model

Meet present needs without harming the future.

🧠 Capabilities Approach

Expand human freedoms and opportunities.


🧠 QUICK RECAP / MEMORY TRICKS

🧭 “3P”Triple Bottom Line

People – Planet – Profit

🍩 “Inside the Doughnut”Balance human needs & nature

“4R Rule”Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle = Circular Economy

🌱 “Think Long-Term”Brundtland Model

💡 “Expand Freedom”Capabilities Approach


In short:

Sustainable development isn’t one-size-fits-all — these models show different paths toward the same goal: a fair, thriving, and eco-friendly world. 🌍💚