SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable development is an approach to growth and human development that aims to meet
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs.1 The aim is to have a society where living conditions and resources meet human
needs without undermining planetary integrity.2
Sustainable development overlaps with the idea of sustainability which is a normative
concept.[5] UNESCO formulated a distinction between the two concepts as follows:
"Sustainability is often thought of as a long-term goal (i.e., a more sustainable world), while
sustainable development refers to the many processes and pathways to achieve it.3
THE OROGIN OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
It was not until the report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, “the
Brundtland Report” and the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development that the term “sustainable development” gained global currency. Over 7,000
delegates from 178 countries recognized a global need for environmental protection with
economic and social development, and called for sustainable development. In 1997,
governments met in the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Sustainable
Development to review progress; they urged further development of the concept, and greater
efforts for its implementation on all levels. In 2002, at the World Summit for Sustainable
Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, more than 22,000 official delegates gathered to
call for coherence between the three pillars of sustainable development — social justice,
economic growth, and environmental protection. This section briefly examines the evolution
of the concept of sustainable development and its prospects beyond the “Johannesburg
Summit”.4
THE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
1
United Nations General Assembly (1987). Report of the World Commission on Environment and
Development: Our Common Future
2
Robert, Kates W.; Parris, Thomas M.; Leiserowitz, Anthony A. (2005). "What is Sustainable Development?
Goals, Indicators, Values, and Practice". Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development.
3
Purvis, Ben; Mao, Yong; Robinson, Darren (2019). "Three pillars of sustainability: in search of conceptual
origins"
4
Oxford Academic, https://academic.oup.com › book › chapter, Origins of the Sustainable Development
Concept
What are the three pillars of sustainable development?5
Social pillar
The social pillar of a company's sustainable development refers to values that promote
equality and respect for individual rights. The social consequences of the company's social
activity are then assessed in accordance to these issues, such as gender equality – all of which
social sustainability focuses on.
The principles upon which this pillar is founded are as follows:
Combat social exclusion and discrimination: helping with reintegration, supporting
gender equality, reducing the gender pay gap, promoting training, encouraging
dialogue, and applying global social rights. In other words, the goal is to seek to aid
the global population.
Promote solidarity: helping to reduce social inequalities by collaborating with local
and international associations and projects, and prioritizing fair trade products which
guarantee an appropriate income for farmers and help to promote sustainable
agriculture.
Contribute to the well-being of stakeholders: developing social dialogue, encouraging
the exchange of information and transparency, adapting working hours according to
employee profile, and making premises accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Economic pillar
This pillar is based on companies’ ability to contribute to economic development and growth.
In other words, they must encourage and promote the protection of the environment by
limiting the risks posed by their production. The recycling of products and the use of
renewable energy are therefore fundamental aspects of the development of the economic
pillar.
Furthermore, the ISO 50001 standard which is focused on energy efficiency, aims to improve
energy performance, with a view to reducing energy consumption and therefore contributing
to economic growth. Effectively implementing of this standard leads to a certification,
serving as a guarantee of optimal, affordable and clean energy use.
5
https://greenly.earth › en-us › blog › company-guide Global web icon, Greenly
Environmental pillar
The environmental pillar is founded on a commitment to protect the environment by reducing
risks and measuring the environmental impacts of companies' activities.
Environmental sustainability focuses on focusing company efforts towards developing new
ecosystem services to improve the environment while also developing a robust sustainability
strategy.
The challenges for companies in this area are as follows:
Saving and preserving natural energy or agricultural resources
Assessing their carbon footprint and reducing total greenhouse gas emissions and further
achieve sustainable development goals.
Prevent water scarcity and reduce overall waste for current and future generations.
CONCLUSION
Sustainable development is a holistic approach that ensures progress does not come at the
expense of future generations. By integrating environmental protection, economic growth and
social equity _ the three essential pillars _ it offers a round map for building resilient,
inclusive and thriving societies. As global challenges intensify, sustainable development
remains a critical guiding principle for policy, business and everyday life. Its success depends
on collective action, long-term vision, and a commitment to balance today’s needs and
tomorrow’s possibilities.
REFERENCE and
1.United Nations General Assembly (1987). Report of the World Commission on
Environment Development: Our Common Future
2. Robert, Kates W.; Parris, Thomas M.; Leiserowitz, Anthony A. (2005). "What is
Sustainable Development? Goals, Indicators, Values, and Practice". Environment: Science
and Policy for Sustainable Development.
3. Purvis, Ben; Mao, Yong; Robinson, Darren (2019). "Three pillars of sustainability: in
search of conceptual origins"
5. Oxford Academic, https://academic.oup.com › book › chapter, Origins of the Sustainable
Development Concept
5. https://greenly.earth › en-us › blog › company-guide Global web icon, Greenly
