Introduction
Sustainable development has now found its place within the framework of many countries around the globe as a basic principle of development. All around the world there are many nations with large populations that are being pushed beyond their natural resources due to a mix of natural disasters, economic poverty, social strife and war. Many governments have undertaken proactive steps in order to promote a sustainable world through sustainable development policies. Governments worldwide are actively working to ensure that current generations will not suffer from the negative impact of development upon them or their children but rather create an environment where future generations are protected from the degradation of the environment created by the development.
This blog discusses how governments can contribute to Sustainable Development, how government policies translate to real world results, and the challenges that government face in the effort to create sustainable development solutions on a global basis.
Understanding The Definition Of Sustainable Development
Sustainable development was first defined as a concept by the World Commission On Environment And Development in their report “Our Common Future”. It has since come to be understood as providing a sustainable livelihood for the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to provide for their own sustainable livelihoods.
At the international level, the United Nations has developed a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include the following categories: poverty elimination, clean and renewable energy, climate action, and unsustainable consumption.
Government Policies That Have Contributed To Creating A More Sustainable World
- Governments are utilizing (or attempting to utilize) a number of different policies aimed at creating rules and regulations to protect the environment and create a more sustainable world.
- Environmental protection legislation has been enacted by many countries to reduce pollution levels and prevent further degradation of natural resources. The Indian government has established the Environment Protection Act, which regulates industrial pollution and other forms of environmental degradation.
- Environmental protection laws provide for the regulation of industrial polluters in order to prevent harm to humans and the environment.