Sustainable Development - Environment

The World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission) defined sustainable development (SD) as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." In other words, while development is essential to satisfy human needs and improve the quality of human life, it must be based on the efficient and environmentally responsible use of all of society's scarce resources - natural, human, and economic. Sustainable development has become a key goal of public policy both domestically and internationally over the last decade.

In its third Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS), tabled in Parliament in February 2004, PWGSC documented its commitment to make a significant contribution toward ensuring that current and future generations of Canadians have the opportunity to live and thrive in healthy natural and built environments, a vibrant and just society, and a prosperous economy. PWGSC will contribute to this vision by ensuring that the principles of sustainable development are reflected in all aspects of its role as a provider of services to its colleague departments and agencies, as a custodian of real property, and in its own internal operations.