The concept of sustainable development was first described in “Our Common Future” by the 1987 Brundtland Commission Report, as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs [1]”. Sustainability is a paradigm for thinking about a future in which environmental, social and economic considerations are balanced in the pursuit of development and an improved quality of life [2]. These three spheres – society, environment and economy – are intertwined [2]. It is important that educators, leaders, and citizens recognize that sustainable development is an evolving concept and that the list of sustainability perspectives can therefore grow and changes [2].
Governments and civil society as well as individuals must hold the responsibility for a more sustainable future [3]. Education is an essential ingredient for a more sustainable future [3]. Moreover, rapid action is needed to keep the costs of greening growth manageable and avoid irreversible losses [3]. There is no single green growth model: strategies will vary across countries, reflecting local contexts, preferences, and resources [3]. In educational system, a student-centered learning/ teaching practice can bring a continuous progress not only for specific studies, but also for the awareness on sustainable development of society [4].
Sustainable development is about LIMITS [4]
There clearly are limits to the extraction and use of non-renewable material and energy resources, as there are limits to the destruction, degradation and pollution of the environment [4].
The most extensive, internationally organized, limitless action in the history of humanity has been “development”. Traditional development strives for expansion of material wealth. The accumulation of people and society’s material wealth is built on the poverty of over one billion people on earth. Development, in its traditional sense – which is mere economic development – has often alienated people from their resources, social networks and local knowledge in their natural surroundings. We need action with foresight [4].
The lessons for sustainable development are that there are both limits and links that must be known, acknowledged and observed. This should always be considered at the earliest stages of new developments aimed at sustainable solutions. We must revive, rediscover and respect the links with people and with nature [4].
Sustainable development is about LIMITS [4]
There clearly are limits to the extraction and use of non-renewable material and energy resources, as there are limits to the destruction, degradation and pollution of the environment [4].
The most extensive, internationally organized, limitless action in the history of humanity has been “development”. Traditional development strives for expansion of material wealth. The accumulation of people and society’s material wealth is built on the poverty of over one billion people on earth. Development, in its traditional sense – which is mere economic development – has often alienated people from their resources, social networks and local knowledge in their natural surroundings. We need action with foresight [4].
The lessons for sustainable development are that there are both limits and links that must be known, acknowledged and observed. This should always be considered at the earliest stages of new developments aimed at sustainable solutions. We must revive, rediscover and respect the links with people and with nature [4].
Sustainable development is about FUNDAMENTALS [4]
At the basis of these principles is the concept of sustainable product development (SDP) which is defined as “resource, context and future oriented product development, aimed at the fulfillment of elementary needs, better quality of life, equity and environmental harmony” [4].
Sustainable development is about EQUITY [4]
The report recommends that development and application of technology and methods that are environmentally sustainable for both poor and affluent consumers [4].
Sustainable development is about LIFE [4]
To sum up, sustainable development is about life: about “L” for limits, “I” for interdependence, “F” for fundamentals and “E” for equity. This set of issues reflects the importance of dealing with material concerns, acknowledging the relationship between humanity and nature, being committed to addressing fundamental causes, and considering ethical values [4].
The World’s Bank guiding principles for establishing green growth strategies are described hereinafter (see table 1.d):
- Increase the amount of natural, physical, and human capital available [3]
Better-managed soil is more productive. Well-managed natural risks result in lower capital losses from natural disasters [33]. Healthier environments result in more productive workers: a recent California study shows a strong impact of air quality on the productivity of farm workers [34].
- Promote efficiency [3]
For instance, imposing environmental taxes (taxing “bads”) and removing distortionary subsidies creates fi scal space for governments to lower labor taxes or subsidize green public “goods” such as public transport or renewable energy. In London, congestion taxes, besides reducing traffic, helped to finance investments in the aging public transport system, thereby increasing effectiveness of the price signal by reducing the costs or “disutility” associated with switching from single-car use to public transport [35]. And many firms — including large multinationals such as Hewlett Packard, Cisco, Clorox, and FedEx — are finding that embracing sustainability has improved the bottom line in part by promoting greater efficiency [36].
- Green policies stimulate innovation [3]
Study after study reports that well-designed environmental regulations stimulate innovation by firms, as measured by R&D spending or patents. Surveys of firms in the European Union identify existing or future environmental regulation as the main driver for the adoption of incremental innovations. Similarly, international sustainability standards can help local firms to upgrade their environmental practices, a form of catch-up innovation. In developing countries, green policies can also encourage the adaptation and adoption of greener technologies that have been developed elsewhere [3].
- Green policies also accrue non-growth gains to welfare [3]
They can reduce inequality through job creation and poverty alleviation, and they can reduce output volatility by increasing resilience to environmental and economic shocks, like natural disasters or spikes in commodity prices. A modeling exercise suggests that half of the cost of climate policies to limit greenhouse gas concentration at 550 ppm could be paid for by less vulnerability to oil scarcity [37].
[1] Brundtland Commission Report, Our Common Future, Oxford University Press, 1987.
[2] United Nations Educational, Education for Sustainable Development Sourcebook, UNESCO, Paris, 2012.
[3] The World Bank, Inclusive Green Growth – The Pathway to Sustainable Development, 2012.
[4] C.E. Băişan, J. Seiz, M. Mellberg, M. Gheorghe, Student-Centered Learning / Training and Quality Assurance in Higher Education, ISQM, 2nd ed, Sinaia, 2010.