Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Perhaps the most well-known definition of
sustainable development
comes
from the Brundtland report (see the first definition in
Table 15.1
). However, there
are more than 70 definitions - Pezzey (1989) lists 60 - and
Table 15.1,
which
lists just three interpretations, gives some idea of the breadth of the concept. For
example, a comparison of the first and last definition in
Table 15.1
shows how
over a 25-year period the vision of sustainable development has been extended to
include the mitigation of climate change and the protection of ecosystems. Clearly
the definitions are sufficiently vague to become a breeding ground for disagreement.
Table 15.1 T
hree interpretations of sustainable development
1 Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs (WCED 1987: 43)
2 Development that delivers basic environmental, social and economic services to
all residences of a community without threatening the viability of natural,
built and social systems (ICLEI 1996)
3 Development that eradicates poverty, reduces inequality and makes growth
inclusive, and production and consumption more sustainable, while combating
climate change and respecting a range of other planetary boundaries (UN 2012: 6)
It is perhaps easier, therefore, to clarify the definition by starting at the other
extreme and setting out features of 'unsustainability'. Unsustainable development
is associated with ozone depletion, poor sanitation, extinction of species and
habitat, social conflict, toxic pollution and resource depletion. The sustainability
movement is a reaction to these problems and stems from concerns about the future
capacity of the planet's life support systems. Indeed, since the 1970s academics
have discussed the problems of prolonged economic growth pushing society
beyond global limits - see, for example, any of the titles by Meadows et al. The
movement gained some impetus from the ideas put forward by environmental
economists, including work on the monetary value of externalities and the
integration of economic and environmental systems. These ideas were outlined
in
Chapter 11
, and it may be useful here to review
Key Points 11.1
and
11.3.
In
Table 15.2
(on page 274) we contrast unsustainable development with modern ideas
of sustainable development.
Most people fully support the concept of sustainable development, as the
associated ideas are not contentious. The challenge lies in finding a way that society
can develop sustainably. Throughout this topic we have alluded to some signs of
progress towards this goal - but we have also made it clear that there is much
uncertainty about the most appropriate strategies. For example, in
Chapter 11
we
distinguished between the approach of neoclassical and environmental economists.
The neoclassical school of thought promotes a free market approach, arguing that
this should ensure that the depletion of natural resources will be countered by
increases in man-made equivalents. According to this technocratic perspective,
aggregate capital is kept intact over time. In contrast, environmental economists
believe it is necessary to maintain a critical minimum level of natural capital.
