What is sustainable development?

You might have asked yourself this question before. We cannot give you a final answer, as there are many different definitions – which in turn accentuate distinct approaches and perspectives on this subject.

Whereas the term ‘sustainability’ is a static construct, the term ‘sustainable development’ describes a process and is more dynamic and changeable.

One of the most well-known definitions that we refer to is the following one from the Brundtland Report:

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

“In essence, sustainable development is a process of change in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development; and institutional change are all in harmony and enhance both current and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations.”

~World Commission on Environment and Development, „Our Common Future“, 1987

The way sustainable development should be put into effect in present and future, whilst considering planetary boundaries, is the subject of numerous discussions and controversies. It needs further, especially interdisciplinary, research.

The 17 ‘Sustainable Development Goals’, which were formulated in the ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ in 2015 by the United Nations, offer one possible orientation framework. We use them to structure information. The SDGs can be further specified into various targets and indicators.