Sustainable Development Essays (Examples)

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Sustainable Development
hile reflecting on some of the events that have transpired over the last decade, it may be no wonder why people have fueled the debate and salience of concepts related to sustainable development. Countless corporate scandals such as Enron and many others pointed out some of the questionable business practices in the modern economy. Also the sub-prime mortgage markets have gained large amounts of negative publicity for their systemic lack of integrity. Not only has this increased contempt with the status quo of the business world, but it has also translates into real implications that affect everyone's lives in one way or another. Many people have had their retirement fund devalued in the stock market or by austerity cuts. Others are can be affected by simply paying higher prices at the gas pump but the interconnectedness of the global economy leaves no life untouched.

This paper questions the role and….

Sustainable Development: An Analysis
Development refers to the progressive transformation of society, and the economy[footnoteRef:1]. Sustainable development is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"[footnoteRef:2]. Some consider sustainable development an oxymoron, arguing that it is impossible to achieve development without causing harm to the environment through pollution[footnoteRef:3]. Fortunately, there is proof that a country could actually achieve development in a sustainable manner. This is only possible if social and environmental factors are integrated into the economic component of development[footnoteRef:4]. [1: The World ank, "What is Sustainable Development?" The World ank, http://www.worldbank.org/depweb/english/sd.html (accessed February 21, 2014).] [2: Ibid.] [3: Ibid.] [4: Ibid.]

Certification in the Developing World

Certification is one way through which sustainable development could be achieved[footnoteRef:5]. It seeks to ensure that companies all over the world comply with the international standards governing sustainable development[footnoteRef:6]. The developing world is, in….


Costa Rica has financed its plans largely by restructuring its external debt. The nation was able in doing this to set aside the funds required to pursue its sustainability development. This has been augmented by assistance from organizations such as the IMF and grants from the orld Bank.

Part of Costa Rica's employment strategy is to build the ecotourism business, which provides higher level employment. Costa Rica also seeks to develop its agriculture in a sustainable fashion, with small farms wherein the owner keeps the profits. Land resources are also used to boost the pharmaceutical industry, with sustainable harvesting of key plant species. Costa Rica has battled carbon pollution by instituting taxes on vehicles and purchased carbon from Norway.

One area of commonality between the Costa Rica and Abu Dhabi plans is that they both leverage the relative strengths of their countries. The Costa Rica plan leverages that nation's ecological wealth while….

Interior and Commerce Department agencies are to determine which species should be listed; individuals may petition the agencies to have species designated. The Fish and Wildlife Service, in the Interior Department, deals with land species; the National Marine Fisheries Service, located in the Commerce department, has jurisdiction over marine species. Any 'interested person' may petition the Interior Secretary to list a species as either endangered or threatened. The 1978 amendments to the ESA created a Cabinet-level committee to resolve conflicts between species protection and federal projects -- labeled the 'God Squad' or the 'Extinction Committee'.
The committee can authorize projects to proceed even if they jeopardize the continued existence of a species if five of seven members decide that protection interferes with 'human' needs. The specific criteria to be used in exempting actions from the act include: (1) there are no reasonable or prudent alternatives to the agency action; (2)….

Sustainable Development - a Global Challenge
Need for Change

State Sovereignty

Sustainable Development

Challenges for usinesses

The Role of MNCs in Sustainable Development

The Global Compact

Initiatives outside the Global Compact

What is International Sustainable Development Law (ISDL)?

International Environmental Law and its Impact on Australia

Sustainable Development: A Global Challenge

For many years, sustainable development has been one of the controversial issues faced by world leaders and citizens (Parmetier, 2002). The issue pervades both private and public sectors, and is the major focus of many International Organizations (IOs), mainly the United Nations (UN) and many Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs). However, there is little agreement across the globe about a solid definition of the concept of sustainable development. In addition, to further complicate the issue, another concept has recently s emerged on the international scene: globalization.

Globalization can best be defined as an increasing economic interconnection throughout the world, which influences cultural, political, social, and legal factors (Parmetier, 2002). While globalization is a….

Sustainable Development in the South Asian Context
The objective of this study is to explore the meaning of 'sustainable development' in the Southeast Asian context.

(1) Can there be a common definition of sustainable development?

(2) Does it define a starting point, a process, or an end goal?

(3) Can if provide a coherent theory?

(4) Is it a workable concept in practice?

(5) How do different political parties enforce the implementation of sustainable development?

(6) What contradictions exist between economic growth and environmental protection in Southeast Asia?

(7) Is there a common definition of sustainable development, which applies to all cases?

Sustainable development means different things to different individuals and groups and there is yet to be a commonly acknowledged and accepted definition for sustainable development. Sustainable development falls under the influence of various political mindsets and the implementation of sustainable development can be differentiated on the bases of these varying perspectives. What is sustainable development in one….

They feel that they can do this with better overall agricultural output through better water management, for example a reduction in the size of irrigation projects to reduce waste.
The plan is also focused on shifting Ethiopia's economy from one in which 85% of the populace is engaged in agriculture to one in which people earn their money through trades and industry. The plan holds this will lift people out of poverty and build the economy from the lowest levels up.

The timeframe for the first stages of this development plan has come, so the second stages are underway. Sustainable development in Ethiopia is a long-term objective. ith respect to women, the plan includes provisions on improving women's access to health care. The omen's Development Initiatives project (DIP) represents a commitment to women's equality by improving female education and providing rural women with more economic opportunities.

The Ethiopian plan is holistic, and….


Also contributing to the challenges faced by sustainable development are proprietary interests. Every legal entity, including individuals, governments and corporations, will protect its own interests. Changes to the status quo that do not give an entity benefit will be fought in the legal system, with political influence, in the court of public opinion and sometimes even through military means (China invading Tibet to gain access to mineral resources and control of Asia's major river systems, for example). Each entity pushing its own agenda will compromise efforts to implement the type of systemic changes to make development sustainable on a global basis.

Perhaps nowhere are these challenges more in evidence than in the issue of greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement between 184 countries to a global plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Proprietary interests have resulted in the world's biggest polluter, the United States, refusing to ratify the….

Sustainable development, as defined by the rundtland Commission (1987) is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." [footnoteRef:1] y definition, then, sustainable development is development that takes the impact on the environment into account and tries to minimize environmental damage. This contributed to the understanding that sustainable development encompasses a number of areas and highlights sustainability as the idea of environmental, economic and social progress and equity, all within the limits of the world's natural resources. Sustainable Development is about balanced and equitable economic development. high levels of employment, social cohesion and inclusiveness, a high level of environmental protection and responsible use of natural resources, coherent policy making in an open, transparent and accountable political system and effective international co-operation to promote sustainable development globally.[footnoteRef:2] [1: rundtland Commission, "Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development,"….

It can be especially bad if it appears that the company was trying to cover up the problem. That is why self-auditing is such an important benefit to companies.
Unfortunately, many companies choose not to self audit. They do not want to look for problems because they expect to find some. Finding problems means reporting problems, which means paying fines. A lot of companies do not want to pay them, even if they are less when they are found through self-auditing. These companies just leave their pollution problems uncorrected and hope that the EPA won't pay them a surprise visit where they will have to try to hide their problems.

Clearly, the economic benefits and the social benefits of pollution control and the Clean Water Act are quite high, although not everyone realizes how important it is to make sure that the water stays clean; not only for the people and….

Efficient fuel consumption, for example, is an effort that is considered sustainable because fuel consumption is a present need of end-users, but efficient use of this source of energy -- that is, fuel is consumed optimally and with the least harmful effect on the users' environment -- ensures that this act of consumption would have the least detrimental effect on the natural environment (specifically, the acceleration of air pollution and eventual depletion of ozone layer). Efficient fuel consumption is an effort requiring the involvement of every individual and sector in the society: governments can monitor companies' greenhouse gas emissions through legislation, businesses can develop corporate social responsibility (CS) programs that aim to implement laws and rules on efficient fuel consumption, and even individuals can do their part by making sure that their appliances are energy efficient, for example.
On a larger or inter-country scale, numerous multilateral agreements are developed and….

Since 1972, population has indeed carried on rapid growth, but per-capita incomes have risen even faster. From 1972, when China and India could not feed their populations, both have become food exporters. The Club of Rome made the same mistake as their "limited world" predecessors, Malthus and Marx. They thought of people as reactive automatons, unable to change their behavior or their consumption. The Club of Rome should have known better. The "Green Revolution," which increased the world's production per acre of grains by a factor of five, had started in the 1960's. The Chinese peasant, allowed to farm 1/2 acre and sell his produce since 1965, had increased overall Chinese food production by 30% by 1972.
The Reality: Resources are Expanding

It seems illogical, or nearly paradoxical, that as we use more resources, our resource pool keeps growing, but that is in fact the case. This is true for three….

Question 1 One of the key challenges and needs identified by the ISC team is financing. The other challenges include, collaboration, making the case for prosperity through sustainability, taking a comprehensive approach to green empowerment, and data (Institute for Sustainable Communities – ISC, 2011, p. 7). As the authors point out, “transitioning to a sustainable economy will require significant investments from both public and private entities…” (ISC, 2011, p. 6). It should, however, be noted that funding is a finite resource. Further, the very nature of the said transition makes actual costs uncertain – effectively meaning that there could be a mismatch between the actual costs and the funds allocated. This brings about what is referred to as a cost overrun or cost underrun risk, which in essence is a situation whereby an undertaking’s costs either go above or below the initial cost estimate (Boyd, 2012, p. 314). The achievement of….

This is because resources available within the environment will provide all what is required for the state (Department of Environment, Food & ural affairs, 2013).
Social sustainability

Many countries are same when it comes to the endowments of natural, human and physical capital. However, there is a difference when it comes to the economic development level that can be achieved in a particular country. There are three types of capital that can determine the economic growth process but in a partial manner however, there is a missing link between the three types of capital which is the social capital. Social capital is based on social norms and bonds which have an important role to play when it comes to sustainable development. Social capital emphasizes on the participation on a civic level as well as a horizontal association among people such as social networks. This is also through associated norms that have….

Sustainable Design
Sustainable Development

Searching for Sustainability

When researchers analyzed the global resource flow trends that emerged between 1980 and 2002 they found a 25% worldwide increase in material extraction and natural resource use (Behren, Giljum, Kovanda, and Niza, 2005). The increased material extraction rates were attributed to growing economies in developing nations like China and the growing size of the consumer class in these countries. When compared to trends in economic activity in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), the percent generated by material extraction shrank by 25% during the same study period. The rapid growth in the size of the less resource-intensive service sector was blamed for this finding.

The growing size of the service sector has some advantages in terms of sustainability, including lower resource utilization and cleaner technologies, but based on the findings of Behren and colleagues (2007) the growth in material extraction and utilization outstrips any sustainability advantage that….

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6 Pages
Essay

Business

Sustainable Development While Reflecting on Some of

Words: 1663
Length: 6 Pages
Type: Essay

Sustainable Development hile reflecting on some of the events that have transpired over the last decade, it may be no wonder why people have fueled the debate and salience of…

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4 Pages
Essay

Economics

Sustainable Development An Analysis Development Refers to

Words: 1372
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Essay

Sustainable Development: An Analysis Development refers to the progressive transformation of society, and the economy[footnoteRef:1]. Sustainable development is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability…

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2 Pages
Thesis

Literature - Latin-American

Sustainable Development Each of the

Words: 630
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Thesis

Costa Rica has financed its plans largely by restructuring its external debt. The nation was able in doing this to set aside the funds required to pursue its sustainability…

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10 Pages
Term Paper

Transportation - Environmental Issues

Sustainable Development Is the Process

Words: 4234
Length: 10 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Interior and Commerce Department agencies are to determine which species should be listed; individuals may petition the agencies to have species designated. The Fish and Wildlife Service, in…

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23 Pages
Term Paper

Government

Sustainable Development - A Global Challenge Need

Words: 6266
Length: 23 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Sustainable Development - a Global Challenge Need for Change State Sovereignty Sustainable Development Challenges for usinesses The Role of MNCs in Sustainable Development The Global Compact Initiatives outside the Global Compact What is International Sustainable Development Law…

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8 Pages
Essay

Transportation - Environmental Issues

Sustainable Development in the Southeast Asian Context

Words: 2253
Length: 8 Pages
Type: Essay

Sustainable Development in the South Asian Context The objective of this study is to explore the meaning of 'sustainable development' in the Southeast Asian context. (1) Can there be a common…

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2 Pages
Thesis

Transportation - Environmental Issues

Sustainable Development Plan in 2008

Words: 656
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Thesis

They feel that they can do this with better overall agricultural output through better water management, for example a reduction in the size of irrigation projects to reduce…

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2 Pages
Essay

Transportation - Environmental Issues

Sustainable Development the Brundtland Report

Words: 651
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Essay

Also contributing to the challenges faced by sustainable development are proprietary interests. Every legal entity, including individuals, governments and corporations, will protect its own interests. Changes to the status…

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2 Pages
Essay

Transportation - Environmental Issues

Sustainable Development as Defined by the Brundtland

Words: 866
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Essay

Sustainable development, as defined by the rundtland Commission (1987) is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own…

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6 Pages
Term Paper

Transportation - Environmental Issues

Sustainable Development the Term 'Sustainable

Words: 2322
Length: 6 Pages
Type: Term Paper

It can be especially bad if it appears that the company was trying to cover up the problem. That is why self-auditing is such an important benefit to…

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2 Pages
Thesis

Transportation - Environmental Issues

Sustainable Development Its Nature and

Words: 645
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Thesis

Efficient fuel consumption, for example, is an effort that is considered sustainable because fuel consumption is a present need of end-users, but efficient use of this source of…

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4 Pages
Term Paper

Economics

Sustainable Development Is it Really

Words: 1050
Length: 4 Pages
Type: Term Paper

Since 1972, population has indeed carried on rapid growth, but per-capita incomes have risen even faster. From 1972, when China and India could not feed their populations, both…

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2 Pages
Essay

Economics

Sustainable Economic Development

Words: 1706
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Essay

Question 1 One of the key challenges and needs identified by the ISC team is financing. The other challenges include, collaboration, making the case for prosperity through sustainability, taking a…

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7 Pages
Research Paper

Transportation - Environmental Issues

Sustainable Development Debate the State

Words: 2494
Length: 7 Pages
Type: Research Paper

This is because resources available within the environment will provide all what is required for the state (Department of Environment, Food & ural affairs, 2013). Social sustainability Many countries are…

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2 Pages
Essay

Economics

Sustainable Design Sustainable Development Searching for Sustainability

Words: 506
Length: 2 Pages
Type: Essay

Sustainable Design Sustainable Development Searching for Sustainability When researchers analyzed the global resource flow trends that emerged between 1980 and 2002 they found a 25% worldwide increase in material extraction and natural…

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