The World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission), defined "sustainable development" as follows in the report Our Common Future (Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1987):
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts: the concept of "needs", in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs."
Sustainability can encompass many things and can be pursued on several different levels and scales.
Guide for natural resource managers and others working to help communities identify more sustainable resource management practices. Provides approaches, information and theory in related fields such as sustainable development, adaptive management, collabo nrm.massey.ac.nz/changelinks
Independent, non-profit information agency producing news and analysis on topical, global issues with a developing country perspective. www.panos.org.uk
Website that aims to promote participation in development though a focus on Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) information exchange. www.rcpla.org
List of internet sites dealing with sustainable development, including organisations, projects and activities, electronic journals, libraries, references and documents, and databases. www.ulb.ac.be/ceese/meta/sustvl.html
At its third session in April 1995, the UN Commission "noted the importance of developing, among the organizations of the United Nations system, a common or compatible system of access to their respective data bases, in order to share data fully, to strea www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo
A creative approach for addressing environmental challenges based on consensus, systems thinking and sharing a common framework of easily understood, scientifically-based principles. Being used by many large businesses worldwide. www.mtn.org/iasa/tnsintro.html
Organization of transnational corporations who advocate for cooperation between business and government to balance economic and environmental interests. www.wbcsd.org
National Assembly initiative in partnership with voluntary organisations for protecting and improving the environment. Includes information on partners, projects, and grants, with newsletter and downloadable registration pack. www.environment-wales.org
United Kingdom company providing services in the development of aquaculture projects. Background on company, links, and contact information. www.fsvo.com/aquaculture
Computer-based development model - integrating human, economic and environmental concerns into one model - used to make efficient and effective development planning choices. www.threshold21.com
The tri-lingual Sustainable Development Gateway provides access to over 1,200 links, a calendar of events, a job bank, the Sustainability Web Ring, listservs, and news sites dealing with sustainable development. sdgateway.net
An exchange forum for information sharing about best practice in sustainability. It features articles, projects, case studies, lectures, texts and links. Updated quarterly focusing on a particular theme or issue. www.sage-rsa.org.uk
A book which presents human sustainability at work by applying the principles of organic growth to achieve results while renewing potential. www.thenaturaladvantage.com
A free online course in sustainable product design, with a quiz and hundreds of product examples. Run by the non profit organisation BioThinking International. www.cyclicsolarsafe.org
Presents a bioregional pattern language, defining sectors of opportunity for the emerging sustainable economy of the 21st century. www.conservationeconomy.net
Listing conferences, tools, education and training, SME support initiatives and networks, all personally screened by researchers. sd-online.ewindows.eu.org
Focus is on social and cultural change, without which sustainable development is unattainable. Pages include threats and opportunities, agenda for change, practical examples, skilled people, models for change, sources of information. www.biothinking.com/applysd/index.html
Site for people interested in visiting, moving to, or improving cities. Covers sustainable urban development, tourism and travel, and other urban issues. www.newcolonist.com
Presents informed annual evaluations of international collaboration on environmental and developmental issues, as well as listing key data concerning related international agreements, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) including UN specialized agencie www.greenyearbook.org
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