Sustainable Development

Definition

The World Commission on Environment and Development in its report to United Nations in 1987 defined sustainable development as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs.

Key Aspect For Sustainable DevelopmentInter-generational Equity:

Emphasizes to hand over a safe, healthy & resourceful environment to our future generations. Stop over exploitation of resources. Reduce waste discharge.Noxious emissions.Maintain ecological balance.

Intra-generational Equity:Emphasizes that technologies should address

the problems of the developing countries in producing drought tolerant varieties for uncertain climates, vaccines for infectious diseases, clean fuels for domestic and industrial use.

Helps in economic growth of poor countries and minimize wealth gap between nations.

Strategies For Sustainable DevelopmentPollution Prevention- at least no more addition to

waste streams.

Design For Environment- designing keeping environment in mind.

Adopting Green Chemistry- designing environmentally conscious chemical methods and products.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Approach.

Preventive Environmental Management (PEM):

Elimination of pollutants at source.Treatment of waste in a safe manner.Disposal in a safe manner.

Promoting Environmental Awareness.

Utilizing resources as per carrying capacity of the environment.

Government Efforts To Attain SustainabilityAgenda 21: a blue print for the purpose.European Union in 1992 adopted its Vth

Environmental Action Programme called Towards Sustainability.

In 1999, The Amsterdam Treaty was one of the main programmes of the European Union.

In June 2001, the Gothenburg European Council adopted the Commission’s Sustainable development Strategy.

The Johannesburg Earth Summit (2002) revived progress made on global sustainable development since the Rio Summit.