What is Sustainable Development?
The main elements of sustainable development emerged at the 1972
United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm,
Sweden. The central themes of the conference were:
- the interdependence of human beings and the natural environment;
- the links between economic and social development and environmental protection; and
- the need for a global vision and common principles.
Developing these themes, the World Commission on Environment and
Development (the Brundtland Commission) released a report in 1987
calling for:
. . . development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.
This definition was included in the amendments to the Auditor General Act
that created the position of Commissioner.
The Brundtland Commission went on to say that:
. . . sustainable development is not a fixed state of harmony, but rather a process of change in which the
exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development, and
institutional change are made consistent with future as well as present needs.
Three key elements of sustainable development are quality of life,
integrated decision making and equity.
Quality of life
This element recognizes that Canadians value many different aspects of
their life in society, including economic and social development and the
preservation and improvement of environmental quality. Reconciling
economic development, social equity and environmental quality is at the
core of sustainable development. Clearly, Canadians want an economy that
performs well. A healthy economy meets demands for job creation,
economic security and improved living standards. It also allows Canada to
pursue the social objectives that are key elements of our quality of life -
including health, education and protection of the environment - now and
for future generations.
Integrated decision-making
Reconciling development and environmental quality means paying
particular attention to integrated decision-making. As the House of
Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable
Development has noted:
"The integration of environmental and economic considerations, along with the consideration of equity, is
a fundamental underpinning of the concept of sustainable development."
The connections among economic, social and environmental objectives
need to be acknowledged, and any conflicts among them that may emerge
should be dealt with openly, on the basis of full information and taking
advantage of the best tools available.
Equity
A commitment to equity is a third element of sustainable development.
Equity involves the fair distribution of the costs and benefits of development
between the rich and the poor, between generations, and among nations.
Equity also implies that we all have the means to meet basic needs, and
that we are all entitled to basic rights.
The federal government's Guide to Green Government explores
sustainable development in more detail.