SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: ORIGIN, CONCEPT, CHARACTERISTICS, PILLARS, OBJECTIVES - ENVIRONMENT - 2025

The sustainable development or sustainable is based on the scope of a balance between economy, environment, society and culture. For this, it is necessary to harmonize the ecological balance with efficient production, social equity and respect for cultural diversity.

Its antecedents go back to the 60s of the 20th century, when the current idea of ​​infinite resources began to break. In 1983, the United Nations Organization created the Commission on Environment and Development (chaired by Brundtland) from which the modern idea of ​​sustainable development emerged.

Some of the actions that promote sustainable development

Sustainable development consists in the satisfaction of present needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy theirs. The objective of sustainable development is not to limit development, but to guarantee that it is lasting over time.

The four pillars of sustainable development encompass the ecological, the economic, the social and the cultural. In ecological terms, actions for development must harmonize with the environment, reducing negative environmental impacts. At the economic level, efficient production, respectful of the environment and social equity, must be achieved.

Sustainable development concept

Sustainable development was initially defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the resources of future generations. In other words, current development cannot be achieved at the cost of diminishing the capacities of future generations to achieve theirs.

It has also been understood as the development that is achieved by guaranteeing a balance between the economic, ecological, social and cultural dimensions.

Sustainable or sustainable development

Although in some cases the terms sustainable and sustainable are used synonymously, in others they are characterized as two different but related things. Although the most widespread term in Spanish is sustainable, derived from the English sustainability, in Spanish the most appropriate term is sustainable.

In the United Nations, for example, these terms are differentiated according to the dimensions they include. Accordingly, sustainable development focuses on preserving, conserving and protecting natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

While sustainable development takes into account the satisfaction of the social, political and cultural needs of the human being, maintaining a healthy environment. In turn, including the intergenerational dimension of sustainable development, that is, not risking the satisfaction of the same needs for future generations.

Origin and history

Although the concept of sustainable development dates from the 80s (20th century), the ideas that paved the way for it emerged decades before.

Background

Until the twentieth century, the dominant conception was that resources were almost unlimited, as was the capacity for economic growth. However, the perspective underwent changes with scientific progress and the military, economic and social crises that occurred between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.

The human impact

Human activity has had a negative impact on nature, at least since the development of agriculture. However, this impact increased exponentially with the First Industrial Revolution in the mid-18th century and the Second Industrial Revolution in the second half of the 19th century.

Since the 18th century there have been scientists who warned about the limits that nature imposed on work, such was the case of the French physiocrats. Then in the nineteenth century biologists, chemists and economists also warned of the links between economy and nature and its consequences.

Clash of cultures

This historical account of the reflection on the relationship of social development with the Earth is from the perspective of Western culture, since if it is explored in other cultures we find older antecedents that are related to a sustainable conception of development.

For example, the letter from Chief Seattle, chief of the Suquamish and Duwamish Native Americans, to President Franklin Pierce of the United States in 1854. Pierce made an offer to Chief Seattle to hand over the lands inhabited by his people in exchange for transferring them to a reservation.

Chief Seattle. Source:

For its part, Seattle responded with a letter that today is recognized as an environmental manifesto. In that letter Seattle reflects the different conception that its culture had of the Earth, not as a marketable good, but as a sacred environment that gave them life.

They did not conceive of the notion of selling to Mother Earth, the source of their sustenance and existence. On the other hand, notions of rational use of resources and ecological balance are raised if human survival is not to be affected.

The silent spring

Many were those who contributed to call attention to the wrong style of development that humanity followed. However, there is consensus in claiming Rachel Carson's book, Silent Spring (1962), as the first informative book on environmental impact.

This work states that the Earth is finite, just like the resources and the ecological balance is fragile, sensitive to our impact. Therefore, it is essential that society take this into account when addressing its development model.

It was increasingly evident that development as it had been carried out was not sustainable over time, because it leads to the depletion of resources and life on Earth, including human life.

Worldwide programs

In the second half of the 20th century, international research programs were developed. One of the most relevant was the Man and the Biosphere program, promoted by UNESCO in the early 1970s.

Later, the IGBP Program (International Geosphere and Biosphere Program) sponsored by the International Union of Scientific Societies (ICSU) in 1987. The data and conclusions obtained opened the way to understanding the need to change the development model.

Sustainable development

Faced with increasingly clear evidence of the unsustainability of the current development model, the idea of ​​a sustainable development model emerged. The definition of sustainable development appears in the report of the UN Commission on Environment and Development, entitled “Our Common Future”.

This report was also known as the Brundtland Report, because it was chaired by the Norwegian Gro Harlem Brundtland. The Commission was created in 1983 and carried out various studies, consultations, forums, and dissertations, from which the aforementioned report emerged in 1987.

Summits of the Earth

This is the name given to the conferences of the United Nations Organization on the Environment and its Development. These events address issues related to the environment, development, climate change and biodiversity.

Up to now, five summits have been held, the first of them in Stockholm (Sweden) in 1972. These international meetings have contributed to the general framework of sustainable development and have agreed on measures in order to guide society in this regard.

Conference on sustainable development. Source: Presidency of the Argentine Nation The 1992 summit, held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), proposed the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. In this document, sustainable development has already been proposed as a goal.

Summit for Sustainable Development 2015

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals was approved by all those states that belong to the UN during 2015. It includes 17 objectives that seek to end inequality, poverty and tackle the problems of climate change.

The fourth pillar

The World Organization of Cities (UCLG) approved in 2010 the declaration Culture is the fourth pillar of sustainable development. This was at the World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders held at the Third UCLG World Congress, in Mexico City.

The proposal proposes including culture as one of the fundamental pillars of sustainable development and suggests that both regional and local institutions promote a solid cultural policy. It also raises the need to include a cultural dimension in all public policies.

Characteristics of sustainable development

Sustainable development has a series of characteristics:

- It is based on the belief that it is possible to achieve economic and social development, without harming the environment.

- Business and government efforts aimed at improving the care of the environment must produce economic profitability. Otherwise, even if they are socially and environmentally appropriate, they cannot be sustainable over time.

- Sustainable development also seeks to improve the quality of life of people.

- Actions that promote sustainable development are promoted; use public transport, reduce the use of plastics, recycling, education, etc.

- Moderate use of non-renewable resources and the step little by little towards the use of renewable resources.

Pillars of sustainable development

Pillars of sustainable development. Source: Johann Dréo (User: Nojhan) / Translator: User: HUB1 There are four fundamental pillars for sustainable development: economic, ecological, social and cultural. These pillars are nourished by the 27 principles for sustainable development defined in the Rio Declaration (1992).

Economic

It is about promoting development that, being financially possible and profitable, is environmentally and socially sustainable. Economic activity has to make a rational and efficient use of resources, generating the least amount of waste possible.

In addition, it must generate quality jobs, be based on technological innovation and cause the least possible impact on the environment. For this, an international economic system is required that promotes fair and lasting trade and finance models.

Likewise, a technological system capable of constantly innovating in the search for new solutions is necessary. The economic gain cannot be above the ecological and social balance, at the risk of collapsing the system.

The ecological

All activities must harmonize with the preservation of biological diversity and ecosystems as well as mitigate any negative environmental impact. Special attention should be paid to the consumption of those resources that are difficult or slow to recover, as well as to the production of waste and emissions.

Social

A democratic and inclusive social environment is required, which guarantees peace and the satisfaction of basic human needs. Access to education, health, housing, basic services and in general to a quality habitat is essential.

Everyone must have a decent and well-paid job, in adequate working conditions. A hungry and unsatisfied society does not generate development, only conflicts and with hunger the protection of biodiversity takes a back seat.

Cultural

The protection of cultural diversity and access to universal culture with its achievements in art, science and technology, is fundamental. Without the recognition of cultural diversity and without adequate education, the other pillars suffer or lose the objective of sustainability.

Principles of sustainable development

The 27 principles of sustainable development reflect the concepts of social responsibility, international responsibility, environmental responsibility and solidarity, both intra and intergenerational.

Social responsibility for the fulfillment of the human rights of all the inhabitants of the planet. Likewise, the responsibility for national actions that may affect areas outside its jurisdiction, understanding that many pollution processes do not have borders.

On the other hand, the responsibility for the maintenance of the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems. In addition, the principle of solidarity is fundamental both between the current inhabitants of the planet and with future generations.

The principle of solidarity and future generations

A central ethical concept in sustainable development is that of intergenerational solidarity, in fact it is in the original definition. The actions of the current generation will have an effect on the possibilities of future generations.

And this must be an ethical parameter that limits those actions that imply negatively affecting the living conditions of future generations.

Action guides for sustainable development

• Resources that are renewable should not be used at a rate that is higher than its production.
• Pollutants must not be produced at a rate that exceeds their ability to be neutralized, recycled, or assimilated back into the environment.
• Non-renewable resources must be used at a rate that is less than that required to be replaced by a renewable one that can be used sustainably.

Global objectives

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are included in the 2030 Agenda

Sustainable development goals. Source: UNDP

1. End poverty around the world in all its forms

The aspiration is to eradicate extreme poverty, reduce poverty, and implement forms of social protection for all.

2. Zero hunger

It is about ending hunger in the world by achieving food security based on sustainable agriculture.

3. Health and wellness

It is intended to achieve a healthy life and promote well-being for the entire population, reducing the maternal and infant mortality rate. In general, improve all health indicators, establishing universal health coverage, with access to quality essential services and medicines.

4. Quality education

Guarantee an inclusive, equitable and quality education, promoting lifelong learning. The aspiration is that by 2030 all boys and girls complete primary and secondary education.

5. Gender equality

It seeks to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls around the world. Like eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.

6. Clean water and sanitation

It is important to guarantee the availability of quality water for the entire population at an affordable price. Also access to sanitation and hygiene services and reduce water pollution.

7. Affordable and sustainable energy

Increase the percentage of renewable energy with respect to total energy use, as well as guarantee access to reliable and modern energy services.

8. Decent work and economic growth

In general, it is about promoting economic growth by creating quality jobs and reducing environmental impact. Special attention is paid to job training and youth employment.

9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure

It is proposed to build quality sustainable and resilient infrastructure, as well as to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization. Resilience is about achieving buildings capable of fulfilling their function before and after natural disasters. Likewise, promote innovation and support small industry, especially in developing countries.

10. Reduce inequities

The idea is to reduce inequalities within and between countries as well as increase the economic income of the poorest sectors. For this, it is necessary to promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all people.

11. Sustainable cities and communities

It consists of achieving cities with adequate housing, sustainable buildings and efficient services in accordance with the environment. It is necessary to protect the cultural and natural heritage, as well as to reduce pollution in cities.

Cities must be environments that allow a healthy life in physical and psychological terms, with spaces for contact with nature.

12. Responsible consumption and production

This objective is focused on achieving sustainable forms of consumption and production, based on an efficient use of natural resources.

An important aspect is to reduce global food waste, reduce pollution in production and consumption processes, and urge companies and multinationals to adopt sustainable practices.

13. Climate action

A polar bear in full swing, on Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard, Norway. Source: wikipedia.org

It is urgent to adopt measures to combat climate change and its serious effects by taking preventive measures such as strengthening the capacity to adapt to the risks it generates. In addition, the importance of improving education, awareness and response capacity of citizens and institutions should be highlighted.

14. Marine life

The oceans, seas and marine resources must be conserved and sustainably used for sustainable development and the reduction of marine pollution in all its forms. An important aspect is the effective regulation of fishing and the control of illegal forms and destructive fishing practices.

15. Life on Earth

It is essential to protect, restore and make sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, as well as to fight against desertification. A central aspect is to end the loss of biological diversity, paying special attention to avoiding the degradation of habitats.

16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

There is no sustainable development without peaceful and inclusive societies, which requires justice and effective and responsible institutions at all levels. It requires an end to exploitation, human trafficking, torture, all forms of violence, corruption and impunity.

17. Partnerships for goals

Achieving sustainable development is a global task, hence it is essential to strengthen the global alliance in pursuit of these goals. Without a principle of global solidarity, inequalities and injustices will continue, which will be a source of social imbalances at the international level.

Examples of sustainable development projects

Sustainable development seeks the creation of wealth from the care of the environment

Although in Latin America, sustainable development does not have the momentum that it achieves in developed European countries, there are various projects in this regard. In some cases they are private ventures and in others government initiatives.

In this region, sustainable development projects are mainly oriented towards sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, urban planning and waste management. As in the recovery and conservation of natural areas and threatened species.

- Mexico

Some initiatives of the private company are:

ENDESU

Espacios Naturales y Desarrollo Sustentable is a foundation that promotes sustainable development projects. This seeks to "conserve, restore and promote the sustainable use of natural resources in Mexico." Since 1995 they have developed more than 150 projects, including family gardens and restoration and conservation of natural areas.

In all their projects they promote environmental awareness as a transversal axis in order that the work is consolidated and maintained over time.

Bright

The private company Bright is in charge of designing solar energy systems for the home based on an analysis of the specific requirements of the family. Subsequently, each user must pay for the installation of this system in parts with what they save on electricity bills.

This company promotes solar energy for family economic savings and as a contribution to reducing environmental impact. They especially focus on their contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions such as CO2.

Let's clean up our Mexico

It is a project promoted by the Azteca Foundation whose mission is to improve the urban and natural environment of Mexico. On the other hand, it seeks to promote social solidarity in favor of solving community problems in harmony with nature.

Clean up our Mexico project. Source: Wotancito It constitutes cleaning brigades, as well as civic awareness activities and currently has a project for the conservation of the Lacandon jungle.

Regarding government initiatives, the following stand out:

Urban parks

A strategy to bring cities closer to nature are parks, such as the Cerro de la Campana Bio Cultural Park in Hermosillo. This is a project in development supported by the environmental organization WRI within the framework of the green infrastructure incubator TheCityFix Labs.

Another example is the La Quebradora water park, located in the Iztapalapa delegation in Mexico City. This project received the 2018 Global Lafarge Holcim Awards Gold Award for its innovation in the design and construction of sustainable infrastructure.

Photovoltaic energy

In Zacatecas, in the north of the country, public buildings install solar panels in order to reduce their consumption of the national electricity system. This is especially relevant as it is a region with high consumption due to the use of air conditioning devices.

- Colombia

As initiatives of the private company are:

Gaviotas Project

This project is especially interesting because it started in 1971, before the concept of sustainable development was in vogue. It is a self-sustaining town founded by Paolo Lugari in 1971 and settled on the plains of the Orinoco River.

In 1997 this initiative received the world award for zero emissions from ZERI, the United Nations Zero Emission Research Initiative.

The town settled on degraded soils and began its development based on a forestry project with Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea var. Hondurensis). This tree is useful both for the recovery of degraded areas and for its use for wood and resin production.

On the other hand, the town works with renewable energies such as windmills, solar water heaters, and hydraulic rams. In addition, its patents expressly allow its technological developments to be reproduced, as long as Gaviotas' authorship is acknowledged.

Among the government proposals are:

The renewable energies

In February 2018, the Colombian government enacted resolution CREG-030, which was born as a result of Law 1715 of 2014. The law promotes the integration of unconventional energy sources into the national electricity system and laid the foundations for the development of initiatives to generate solar and wind energy.

- Peru

Through the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP in English), the Peruvian State promotes sustainable development projects.

Sustainable Productive Landscapes

This project aims to promote sustainable production systems based on comprehensive landscape management. Its objective is the protection of the extensive jungle areas of Peru and tries to promote the development of the communities in the area.

Its goals include 60,000 ha of protected forests, while promoting environmentally certified production. Among the crops that are promoted are cocoa and coffee, with almost 5,000 producers with technical assistance.

The EbA Lomas project

This project employs an Ecosystem-based Adaptation (AbE or EbA) approach. Its objective is to protect, conserve and sustainably manage the ecosystems of the coastal hills of Lima.

These hills are fragile ecosystems, where the determining factor is the fog that is generated in winter, coming from the marine humidity. This seasonal ecosystem presents a biological diversity that must be preserved.

On the other hand, the project's objective is the sustainable use of the services offered by this ecosystem. In the first place, the collection of water, as well as the provision of genetic resources and ecotourism possibilities.

The La Ceiba-Pilares project

This is a binational project between Peru and Ecuador that aims to conserve the Tumbesian dry forest on the common border. It benefits hundreds of families in 11 Ecuadorian and 6 Peruvian communities, which participate in the management of 10,000 hectares of forest.

It is encouraged to take advantage of local resources for production, as is the case of goats for milk and honey produced by native bees.

Venezuela

Given the deep crisis that this country is going through, the challenges it faces in order to meet the objectives of sustainable development are enormous. However, various initiatives are in force that act in order to maintain the line in favor of said development.

Catuche Consortium Project

This project to improve the habitat in neighborhoods of Caracas, promoted by the Central University of Venezuela and with the support of the Mayor of Caracas, dates back to 1993. In 1996, it was selected among the best 100 world practices for the improvement of human settlements.

Neighborhood in Catuche (Caracas, Venezuela). Source: User: Kinori The project has among its objectives to achieve the physical adaptation of infrastructures in order to improve urbanization conditions. In this way, it is hoped to achieve the urban integration of the poorest neighborhoods and hold the communities responsible for the management and execution of the project.

Eco-Industrial Zone Project in Los Ruices, Los Ruices-Sur and Los Cortijos

The objective is to create the first ecological industrial zone in Caracas, through a system for recycling industrial waste. This project is promoted by the civil association ASOPRODEM and the Mayor's Office of the Sucre Municipality and in its first stage it focuses on the collection of waste lamps and batteries.

Comprehensive and sustainable development project for the arid zones of Nueva Esparta and Sucre states

This is a project financed by the Venezuelan State through the Ministry of Popular Power for Urban Agriculture. Its objective is that the communities in these areas are served to achieve adequate development.

The project seeks that communities improve their quality of life by supporting initiatives in the areas of culture, economic and environmental. In this way, it seeks to contribute to improving the living conditions of the inhabitants of these states.

Project to strengthen the system of marine-coastal protected areas of Venezuela

Venezuela has a high percentage of its territory under environmental protection figures, among national parks, natural monuments and reserves (about 66%). This project, promoted by the Venezuelan State, focuses on the threats that currently affect marine biodiversity.

The idea is to strengthen the system of Areas Under the Special Administration Regime (ABRAE) or protected areas of Venezuela. The criterion that supports it is the conservation and sustainable use of the marine resources of the Venezuelan coastal zone.

- Argentina

The Argentine State promotes sustainable development, in fact Argentina is part of the Ten-Year Framework of Programs on Production and Consumption (10YFP). This is a global action program established by the United Nations at the Rio + 20 Summit in 2012.

The program aims to promote the transition towards Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) patterns.

Los Piletones Neighborhood Project

This neighborhood was one of the precarious settlements in the south of the city of Buenos Aires, installed in 1984. The municipal government tries to promote a program to improve the urban environment within the “Pro Sur Hábitat” Program in the Buenos Aires Corporation South Aires.

It consists of a comprehensive habitat improvement project, including social and environmental aspects. Land tenure has been regularized, infrastructure and basic services have been improved with a criterion of sustainable development.

Energy efficiency and renewable energy in social housing

It is a project financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved in 2015. Argentina faces a problem of lack of housing both in number and quality, which is why informal housing and poorly planned urban developments proliferate.

The Federal Social Housing Program of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing addresses this problem by giving priority to the poorest sectors. This project aims to develop regulatory and technical guidelines for the design and construction of low-carbon social housing.

References

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