Introduction

The notion of environmental and social sustainability in the 21st century globalised economy is a fundamental concept to be explored in this module. Sustainability in this context is about determining what the prospects are for continued human development in a 21st century world with a growing human population, demanding a share of ever declining natural resources and biodiversity (Mulligan 2015). Yet it is not just population growth and declining natural resources that are considered to be key themes within the scope of sustainability. A number of recent UN initiatives (e.g. SDGs ) have identified a common range of issues that require to be addressed by the concept and principles of Sustainable Development.

  • Human population growth
  • Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Natural Resources
  • Energy
  • Water
  • Urbanisation
  • Agriculture and Food Security
  • Industrial development
  • Human Health
  • Climate change
Unied nations - Three pillars

In seeking to understand the concept of Sustainable Development, it is important to recognise the ‘three pillars’ and the integrated approach to ‘development’ that is necessary due to the inter-connectedness of the challenges it is seeking to address (listed above) (Kates, Parris and Leiserowitz 2005). Integrated problems require integrated solutions. Sustainable development should be an integrated approach to development which seeks to balance the needs of people and communities, with the natural environment and economic growth.

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