Sustainable development
In 1992 over 150 governments met in Rio de Janeiro at the United
Nations Environment and Development Conference - the Earth Summit.
The Conference recognised that, all too often, development took
place at the expense of the environment and that environmental
degradation threatened the natural ecosystems upon which life and
well-being depend.
The Earth Summit agreed binding conventions aimed at
preventing climate change, the extinction of biologically diverse
species and a set of principles to support the sustainable
management of forests worldwide.
The Summit also agreed the basis for the major shift required
to put this planet on the path towards a more secure and
sustainable future. At the heart of this shift is the concept of
sustainable development. This is development based on a more
careful and caring use of the Earths resources and greater global
cooperation and equity in sharing the benefits and risks of modern
technological societies. The aim is to ensure that future
generations are able to enjoy the same quality of life and
opportunities that we do. The blueprint for the shift to
sustainable development is known as Agenda 21, the agenda for the
21st century.
The UK strategy for sustainable development is set out in 'A
Better Quality of Life' (1999). In order to ensure a better quality
of life for all, now and for future generations, four key
objectives have to be met in the UK and worldwide:
- social progress which recognises the needs of everyone
- effective protection of the environment
- prudent use of natural resources
- maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and
employment