Sustainable Development

1. Sustainable Development Santo Dodaro Econ 305 Stfx University http://www.stfx.ca/people/x2000/x2000kvv/Sustainable%20Development.ppt

2. Definitions of Sustainable Development Development that allows present Needs to be met without compromising the needs of future generations (balance between growth and the environment) The utilization of resources in such a way as to ensure that future generations are at least as well off as present generations

3. Definitions of Sustainable Development: Contunued Development path that maximizes the net benefits to humanity in the long run. Predicated on the following: growth and development are required in order to preserve natural resources and the environment growth and development taking place must be efficient both costs and benefits must be properly priced or valued Environment seen as natural capital

4. Additional features of Sustainable Development Development geared towards the preservation of natural resources and the environment Based on the notion of equity both within an between generations

5. Strategic Imperatives of the Brundtland Commission reviving growth Changing the quality of growth less material and energy intensive more equitable (reduce vulnerability in case if crises) geared to the promotion of social development Aimed at meeting basic needs (jobs, food energy, water, sanitation)

6. Strategic Imperatives of the Brundtland Commission: Continued Ensuring sustainable population (concentrated in smaller cities) Conserving and enhancing resource base Reorienting technology and managing risk Linking economic and environmental issues

7. Requirements for Sustainable Development Meeting basic needs – aspiration of a better life within constraints of ecological environment Promote growth to achieve basic needs equitable access to opportunities for all (the issue of a more equitable distribution)

8. Requirements for Sustainable Development: Continued Preclude overexploitation of resources through the employment of more appropriate less destructive technology paying attention to the level of resource utilization (agricultural land, forests, water, energy, etc.) Preservation of diversity of Species (animal and plant life) and non-renewable resources

9. Requirements for Sustainable Development: Continued Keeping in mind the interdependence that exists between alternate activities as well as globally, between regions, between nations, etc. Identifying and Promoting the common interest or the common good

10. Causes of Environmental Degradation and Overexploitation of Resources Affluence Poverty Ignorance Institutional failure

11. Affluence Pollution from production and consumption over utilization of resources

12. Poverty (Linked to Survival) deforestation (cutting down trees and forests) Soil erosion and desertification overgrazing grasslands overusing marginal lands Crowding into congested cities poor ventilation, poor sanitation, etc. pollution, spread of disease, etc.

13. Ignorance of the ecology of tropical forests, oceans, etc. of basic economic factors of the effects of human actions and human behaviour

14. Institutional Failure (Market and Government) failure of economic institutions linked to things such as the following: property rights (including the issue of common property) contract system market structures Failure of public institutions government departments (incentives, policy and the like) state owned enterprises

15. Property Rights Ideal characteristics of property rights universality – i.e., private ownership exclusivity – preventing non-owners from reaping any benefits transferability – resource can be bought or sold enforceability – legal system that protecting the rights of ownership Alternative notion of Community property rights

16. Market Failure Case of monopoly and oligopoly (control over the market) Where we are dealing with public goods The presence of externalities Common property resources

17. Government Policy Failures Provision of subsidies leading to deforestation, desertification, etc. e.g., logging operations cattle grazing, etc. Subsidies that lead to pollution, over consumption, etc. e.g. on energy on gasoline on clean water, etc.

18. Government Policy Failures: Continued Government policies to promote development exploitation of resources industrialization, etc. Inadequate consultation with and involvement of groups that are heavily involved in the utilization of resources – e.g., women.

19. Policy Options for LDCs Proper resource pricing Community involvement Clearer property rights and resource ownership Programs to improve economic alternatives for the Poor Raising the Economic Status of Women Industrial emission abatement policies.

20. Policy Options for DCs Trade policies Debt relief Debt for nature swaps Providing greater assistance Reduction in first world emissions Environmentally friendly R&D Change is the Structure of demand (consumption structure)