Background:

Produced by the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland

Commission, chaired by Gro Harlem Brundtland (former Norwegian PM).
Brundtland was appointed in 1983, and the establishment of the committee marked
the realization by the UN General Assembly (and amongst people in developed
countries) that there was a heavy deteriorating of the human environment and
natural resources [arising from economic development], following 2 previous
international conferences: the 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human
Environment, and the 1980 World Conservation Strategy of the International Union
for the Conservation of Nature.
Travelled the world for nearly 3 years, listening. At special public hearings, heard
from government leaders, scientists, experts, citizens groups, individual farmers,
shanty-town residents, young people, industrialists and indigenous/tribal peoples.
The document was the culmination of a 900 day international-exercise which
catalogued, analysed, and synthesised written submissions and expert testimony
from senior government representatives, scientists and experts, research institutes,
industrialists, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and the general
public held at public hearings throughout the world.
What is Sustainable Development?

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains 2 key concepts: the
essential needs of the worlds poor; the limitations of technology and social
organization on the environments ability to meet present and future needs (IIp1).
Meeting essential needs [of the poor] depends in part on achieving full growth
potential...it can be consistent with economic growth,but growth by itself is not
enoughsustainable development requires that societies meet human needs by
ensuring equitable opportunities for all (IIp6).
Critical objectives for environment and development policies that follow from the
concept of sustainable development include: reviving growth; changing the quality of
growth; meeting essential needs for jobs, food, energy, water, and sanitation;
ensuring a sustainable level of population; conserving and enhancing the resource
base; reorienting technology and managing risk; and merging environment and
economics in decision making (IIp28).
Sustainable development is a process of change in which the exploitation of
resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological
development; and institutional change are all in harmony and enhance both current
and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations (IIp15).
In its broadest sense, the strategy for sustainable development aims to promote
harmony among human brings and between humanity and nature (IIp81).

Economic growth that is based on policies that sustain and expand the
environmental resource base (p3)
Growth is necessary to alleviate deepening poverty in the developing world (p3).
Environment and development are not separate challenges; they are inexorably
linked. Development cannot subsist upon a deteriorating environmental resource
base; the environment cannot be protected when growth leaves out of account the
costs of environmental destruction (Ip40). Economy is not just about the production
of wealth, and ecology is not just about the protection of nature; they are both
equally relevant for improving the lot of humankind (Ip42). Hopethat every human
beinghas the right to life, and to a decent life (Ip54). The satisfaction of human
needs and aspirations is so obviously an objective of productive activity that it may
appear redundant to assert its central role in the concept of sustainable
development (IIp42). Anthropocentric.
o There are thresholds that cannot be crossed without endangering the basic
integrity of the system [i.e., survival] (Ip23).
o Sustainable development implies not absolute limits but limitations imposed
by the present state of technology and social organization on environmental
resources and the ability of the biosphere to absorb the effects of human
activities. Technology and social organization can both be managed and
improved to make way for a new era of economic growth (p27). The history of
technological developments also suggests that industry can adjust to scarcity
through greater efficiency in use, recycling, and substitution (IIp63) [ie.,
denial of the absolute limits to growth].
o Far from requiring the cessation of economic growth, it recognizes that the
problems of poverty and underdevelopment cannot be solved unless we
have a new era of growth in which developing countries play a large role and
reap large benefits (Ip49).
o Economic growth always brings risk of environmental damagebut policy
makers guided by the concept of sustainable development will necessarily
work to assure that growing economies remain firmly attached to their
ecological roots (Ip50).
o Sustainable development involves more than growth. It requires a change in
the content of growth, to make it less Material- and energy-intensive and
more equitable in its impact (IIp35). rapid growth combined with deteriorating
income distribution may be worse than slower growth combined
o with redistribution in favour of the poor (IIp37). Important point that SD does
not advocate unbridled growth, but entertains the possibility of slower and
more equitable growth.
o It also implies that the poor get their fair share of the resources required to
sustain growth. This would be aided by equitable political systems that
secure effective citizen participation in decision making and greater
democracy in international decision making (p28).

o Sustainable development is highly un-ecological. First, the lack of absolute

limits to growth. Second, it upholds democratic decision making processes
as opposed to the more autocratic radical green prescriptions.
o Our inability to promote the common interest in sustainable development is
often a product of the relative neglect of economic and social justice within
and amongst nations (IIp26). The report defends its emphasis on social
justice: a lack of social justice leads to a failure to perceive and promote the
common interest which leads to actions that aim at individual short-term gain
at the expense of collective long-term benefits (by causing pollution).
Development not seen in the restricted context of economic growth, but sustained
human progress not for a few years, but into the distant future, and encompassing a
global scope, including both developing and developed countries (p10).
o The idea of long-term benefits over short-term benefits is a dominant theme
in sustainable development.
It is aimed at ensuring that development meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (p27).
Sustainable development seeks to meet the needs and aspirations of the present
without compromising the ability to meet those of the future (Ip49).
It also requires that those who are more affluent adopt lifestyles within the planets
ecological means (p29).
It can only be pursued if population size and growth are in harmony with the
changing productive potential of the ecosystem (p29). An expansion in numbers can
increase the pressure on resources and slow the rise in living standards
sustainable development can only be pursued if demographic developments are in
harmony with the changing productive potential of the ecosystem (IIp7). Birth rates
declined in industrial countries largely because of economic and social
development. Rising levels of income and urbanization and the changing role of
women all played important roles. Similar processes are now at work in developing
countries. These should be recognized and encouraged. Population policies should
be integrated with other economic and social development programmes female
education, health care, and the expansion of the livelihood base of the poor (IIp51).
o In these areas there is strong resemblance to ecologist ideas. As in this area:
To successfully advance in solving global problems, we need to develop new
methods of thinking, to elaborate new moral and value criteria, and, no doubt, new
patterns of behavior (Ip45). Many of us live beyond the worlds ecological means, for
instance in our patterns of energy use. Perceived needs are socially and culturally
determined, and sustainable development required the promotion of values that
encourage consumption standards within the bounds of the ecological possible
(IIp5).
o The implication is that the affluent are the ones whose needs outstrip
environmental capacity. The poor also damage the environment, but for

different reasons they cannot meet even their basic needs, and thus
engage in environmentally destructive activity to try to do so.
It is a process of change in which the exploitation of resources, orientation of
technological development and institutional needs are made consistent with future
as well as present needs (p30).
o Suggests a middle ground between ecologism and environmentalism, or a
combination of both.

Reasons for Sustainable Development

Humanity's current development trajectory is unsustainable
Humanity has enjoyed significant levels of progress and development (life
expectancy, literacy, education, food production) (p6). Global economic activity and
industrial production have increased exponentially (p13). Industries most heavily
reliant on environmental resources, and those that are most polluting have grown
the most rapidly. Technological developments have introduced new environmental
risks, including new forms of pollution (p14).
The world's population is expanding, expected to double in the next century and
they will rely on the same environment, which cannot sustain them. (p10). The UN
projects that world population will stabilise at 8-14bn in the next century, with 90% of
the growth in cities. (p13)
Ecological interactions do not respect the boundaries of individual ownership and
political jurisdiction (IIp17). Traditional social systems recognized some aspects of
this interdependence (IIp18)[but] with this surge of technical progress, the
growing 'enclosure' of common lands, the erosion of common rights in forests and
other resources, and the spread of commerce and production for the market, the
responsibilities for decision making are being taken away from both groups and
individuals (IIp19). Each is unwilling to assume that others will behave in this
socially desirable fashion, and hence all continue to pursue narrow self-interest.
Communities or governments can compensate for this isolation through laws,
education, taxes, subsidies, and other methods. Well-enforced laws and strict
liability legislation can control harmful side effects. Most important, effective
participation in decision-making processes by local communities can help them
articulate and effectively enforce their common interest (IIp20).
o i.e., there is a free rider problem because modern social systems do not
recognize/factor into their considerations the damage of individual actions on
the common interest (i.e., interdependence). It is a problem of selfinterestedness, but created by social arrangements which narrow peoples
considerations.

There is more urgency for growth. (p14) Countries, especially developing countries,
face enormous economic pressure, both domestically and internationally, to
overexploit their environmental resource base (p18).
The growth in economic interaction between nations amplifies the wider
consequences of national decisions (Ip4).
The pace of development has however drawn too quickly and too heavily on already
overdrawn environmental resource accounts, and threatens to bankrupt them (p25).
Until recently, such interventions [human interventions in natural systems in the
course of development] were small scale and their impact limited. Todays
intervetions are more drastic in scale and impact, and more threatening to lifesupport systems both locally and globally. This need not happen. At a minimum,
sustainable development must not endanger the natural systems that support life on
earth (IIp9).
The developments have also produced failures in development and failures in the
management of the human environment that will exceed peoples' ability to cope
with them (p6). Todays environmental challenges arise both from the lack of
development and from the unintended consequences of some forms of economic
growth (Ip9). There is less capacity to minimise damaging side effects of
development. (p14). Environmental, development and energy crises have coalesced
into global crises with cross-sector effects and which are of great public concern
(p11). These [environmental] pressures are reflected in the rising incidence of
disasters (Ip15). Such disasters claim most of their victims among the impoverished
in poor nations (Ip16). Economic development is unsustainable if it increases
vulnerability to crises (IIp38).
o Development has been both inegalitarian and unsustainable.
Development failures: increased number of people lacking sufficient basic
necessities (e.g., food, education, sanitation, safe living environments, fuel).
Widening gap between rich and poor nations (p6). Present development trends
leave increasing numbers of people poor and vulnerable (p10).
o "Poverty is a major cause and effect of global environmental problems." (p8)
Sustainable Development goes hand-in-hand with the reduction of world
poverty and international inequality (p8). The resources gap between
developing and industrial nations is widening (p17). There are increasing
numbers of hungry people (Ip10) and people with poor living conditions and
lack of access to basic amenities (Ip11). The Earth is one but the world is
not. We all depend on one biosphereYeteach country, strives for survival
and prosperity with little regard for its impact on others (Ip1). The trend is
towards a decline in multilateralism and an assertion of national dominance
(Ip38). The failures we need to correct arise both from poverty and from the
short-sighted way in which we have often pursued prosperityPoor people
are forced to overuse environmental resources to survive from day to day,
and their impoverishment of their environment further impoverishes them

The prosperity attained in some parts of the worldsecured through farming,

forestry, and industrial practicesbeing profit and progress only over the
short term (Ip3).1 Poverty itself pollutes the environmentthose who are poor
and hungry will often destroy their immediate environment to survive (Ip8).
Poverty reduces people's capacity to use resources in a sustainable manner;
it intensifies pressure on the environment (IIp29). Pressure on resources
increases when people lack alternatives (IIp56). Most of the worlds poorest
countries depend for increasing export earnings on tropical agricultural
products that are vulnerable to fluctuating or declining terms of trade.
Expansion can only be achieved at the price of ecological stress [and this is
perpetuated by]disadvantageous terms of technology transfer, by
protectionism, and by declining financial flows to those countries that most
need international finance (Ip13). Within countries, poverty has been
exacerbated by the unequal distribution of land and other assets (Ip14). Even
the narrow notion of physical sustainability implies a concern for social equity
between generations, a concern that must logically be extended to equity
within each generation (IIp3). i.e., intergenerational equity
Strong socialist tones, especially in the critique of wealth/resource
inequality. Seems to suggest (esp Ip3) that poor people might be
responsible for environmental damage, but they are less accountable
for it because they are being exploited by the rich.
o Many problems of resource depletion and environmental stress arise from
disparities in economic and political power (IIp16). The enforcement of
common interest often suffers because areas of political jurisdiction and
areas of impact do not coincideNo supranational authority exists to resolve
such issues, and the common interest can only be articulated through
international cooperation (IIp22) [International anarchy is partly to blame for
the inability to centrally regulate environmental impacts]. If economic power
and the benefits of trade were more equally distributed, common interests
would be generally recognized. But the gains from trade are unequally
distributed (IIp23).
o The industrial world dominates the rule-making of some key international
bodies (p17). International economic relationships perpetuate poverty and
ecological damage in developing countries: they face tremendous economic
pressures both internationally and domestically to overexploit their
environmental resource base through export of natural resources and
1 As

a consequence of this period of slow growth in the world economy together with rising debt
service obligations and a decline in the inflow of finance many developing countries have faced
severe economic crises (Ip36). The heaviest burden in international economic adjustment has been
carried out by the worlds poorest people. The consequence has been a considerable increase in
human distress and the overexploitation of land and natural resources to ensure survival in the short
term.

engaging in environmentally pollutive industries (e.g. agriculture, forestry,

energy production and mining) (p18). The global economic system takes out
more from poor continents (e.g. Africa) than it puts in, partly through trade
barriers (p19). The international response to the Latin Americas debt crisis
(i.e., structural adjustment) has required poor countries to accept growing
poverty while exporting growing amounts of scarce resources (p20).
Developing countries have suffered declining per capita incomes (p21).
Clearly resembles the dependency critique
o The industrial world has already used much of the planets ecological capital
(p17).
o Environmental crises and scarcity of resources have fuelled political unrest
and international tension (p22).
o Emphasis on military expenditure and arms races have comes at the
expense of societies development and poverty alleviation efforts. The
development of potentially planet-destroying nuclear weapons systems
creates a great potential threat to plant and animal ecosystems. (p23-24).
Perhaps the greatest threat to the Earths environmentis the possibility of
nuclear war, increased daily by the continuing arms race and its spread to
outer space (Ip33).
A pacifist position
Environmental failures: accelerating desertification, destruction of forests,
acidification, global warming due to burning of fossil fuels, ozone depletion. Where
economic growth has led to improvements in living standards, it has sometimes
been achieved in ways that are globally damaging in the long term (Ip9). Many of
the products and technologies that have gone into this improvement are raw
material- and energy-intensive and entail a substantial amount of pollution (Ip18).
The use of fossil fuels has grown nearly thirtyfold, and industrial production has
increased more than fiftyfold (Ip19). Environmental stresses also arise form more
traditional forms of productionMassive damsimpound a large proportion of the
river flow (Ip20).
o These changes have a negative impact on human development. They impact
agricultural production, threaten urban development (flood low-lying cities),
disrupt national economies, create health risks (cancer due to ozone
depletion), disrupt the food chain and pollute water (reducing human access
to food and water) (p7). "Many forms of development erode the
environmental resources upon which they must be based, and environmental
degradation can undermine economic development." (p8) Ecology and
economy are becoming more interwoven at local and global levels. (p15).
Impoverishing the resource base can impoverish other areas as well (sideeffects; e.g., deforestation by highland farmers causes flooding on lowland
farms). (p16). Environmental stresses are linked one to another (Ip41).

Environmental degradation can dampen or reverse economic development

(Ip34).
We need the resources to sustain not just this, but also the coming generations (p4)
We have depleted our environmental resource accounts too quickly. We are
borrowing environmental capital from future generations with no intention or
prospect of repaying. Our children will inherit the losses (p25). Present profligacy is
rapidly closing the options for future generations (p26).
We act as we do because we can get away with it: future generations cannot
challenge our decisions (p25).
How to implement Sustainable Development
The report provides not a detailed blueprint, but an urgent notice, and a pathway to
increase spheres of international environmental cooperation (p4)
Sustainable development must rest on political will, because painful choices need to be
made (p30). Major institutional development and reform are required, on the part of all
countries, rich or poor. Poor/small countries who have limited managerial capacity must be
aided (p39).
Governments must close institutional gaps change themselves to face
interdependent and integrated challenges which require comprehensive approaches
and popular participation (p31).
The detachment of growth from environmental concerns in government: Presently,
institutions responsible for managing resources are institutionally separated from
those responsible for managing the economy. This must change (p32). Environment
ministries and agencies must also not merely be responsible for cleanup and afterthe-fact repair of damage. They must make bodies whose policy actions degrade
the environment (e.g., transportation, energy, forestry, agricultural, industrial bodies)
responsible for ensuring that their policies prevent that degradation (p34). These
ministries are often too concerned with production and growth (p36). If not, the
presence of these environment agencies only serve to give the government and
citizens the false impression that the environmental resource base is protected
(p35). The ecological dimensions of policy should be considered at the same time
as the economic, trade, energy, and others (p38). Economics and ecology must be
completely integrated in decision making and lawmaking processes not just to
protect the environment, but also to protect and promote development (Ip32).
Economic and ecological concerns are not necessarily in opposition.. But the compatibility of
environmental and economic objectives is often lost in the pursuit of individual or group gains, with
little regard for the impacts on others, with a blind faith in science's ability to find solutions, and in
ignorance of the distant consequences of today's decisions (IIp73).

International cooperation to manage ecological and economic interdependence

needs to be strengthened, and declining confidence in international organisations
must be remedied (p33).
o International agencies concerned with development lending, trade regulation,
agricultural development etc must take the environmental effects of their
work into account (p37).
Environmental and economic problems are linked to many social and political
factorsnew approaches must involve programmes of social development,
particularly to improve the position of women in society, to protect vulnerable
groups, and to promote local participation in decision making (Ip43).

Specific policy recommendations directions and recommendations

Population and human resources (p41-46)
In many parts of the world, population growth outstrips reasonable expectations of
improvement in living standards. While numbers must be controlled, provision of
resources must also become more equitable (i.e, where lacking it must increase).
Education must also increase to enable people to better manage these resources.
Restrictions to population growth comes up against the protection of peoples (esp.
womens) rights to self-determination and rights to plan their family size.
Governments need to pursue demographic goals through long-term multifaceted
population policies and campaigns to motivate citizens to support the policy;
resources for family planning, including education, contraceptives and necessary
services must be provided
Individuals and nations must be empowered to cope with rapid social,
environmental and developmental changes through the sharing of technical
knowledge and understanding, while being encouraged to share resources
globally.
Indigenous peoples should be given rights and a decisive voice over resource
development in their areas to reduce its disruption to their lifestyles.
Food Security (p47-51)
There is more than enough food to meet world needs, but food is often unavailable
where it is needed. Food producers in developed countries are highly subsidized,
and thus overuse soil and chemicals, causing environmental damage. Food
producers in developing countries are under-supported, being given inadequate
technology, few economic incentives and being pushed onto marginal land.
To encourage producers in developing countries, the terms of trade need to be
turned in their favour. Industrialised nations must reduce their surplus production
and adopt ecologically sound farming practices to reduce unfair competition with
nations that may have real comparative advantages.
o Again, dependency critique

Purchasing power of the poor must be increased through land reforms, policies to
protect vulnerable subsistence farmers/landless people and integrated rurual
development to increase work opportunities.
o Again, quite socialist

Species and Ecosystems: Resources for Development (p52-57)

Growing scientific evidence shows that species are disappearing at unprecedented
rates. Species diversity is essential for the normal functioning of the ecosystems
and biosphere. Wild species hold genetic material that has to potential to improve
crop species, create new drugs and raw materials for industry. There are also
moral/cultural/aesthetic reasons for conserving wild beings. {The loss of plant and
animal species can greatly limit the options of future generations (IIp13).}
The problem must first be established on the political agenda. Governments can
reform forest revenue systems and concessions to develop tropical forests and
other reservoirs of biological diversity, making their use more long-term and efficient
while curtailing deforestation and generating revenue.
Much larger areas must be given protected status in the long term, the increased
opportunities for development will outweigh the costs of conservation. International
development agencies must pay attention to species conservation.
Governments should try to develop a Species Convention as well as international
financial arrangements to support it.
o Note that significant emphasis is placed on governments, probably because
this is a UN document (but does this mean that individuals are neglected; or
that individual actions are seen in terms of government empowerment and
constraints?)
o This has been created: CITES/Washington Convention (and it was done
even before the report was produced???)
Energy: Choices for Environment and Development (p58-65)
A safe and sustainable energy pathway is crucial, but has not been found yet.
Industrialisation, agricultural development and rapidly growing populations in
developing nations promise to increase energy requirements significantly up to
five times current usage.
This is unsustainable, especially if energy continues to be derived mostly from nonrenewable fossil fuels. Even a doubling of energy output would cause excessive
global warming and acidification.
Thus, economic growth must become less energy intensive, and national energy
efficiency strategies are of paramount importance modern appliances can be
redesigned to use less energy, and often in a cost-effective way. Yet energy
efficiency is not an end, it is only a stopgap measure to buy time while we develop
alternative clean energy. {But with the increase in population and the rise in

incomes, per capita consumption of energy and materials will go up in developing

countries, as it has to if essential needs are to be met (Ip22).}
o This idea is more environmentalist in nature, because it does not deal with
reducing energy requirements by reducing growth and needs, but instead
focuses on improving clean energy generation to meet the needs.
Nuclear energy has become more widely used, but its costs and risks have also
become more apparent, sparking controversy and different positions among
countries. Nuclear power is only justifiable if there are solid solutions to unsolved
problems.
Research should therefore focus on ecologically viable alternative energy, as well
as making nuclear energy safer. Renewable energy can be made viable, but only if
coordinated research and development is undertaken, and sufficient funding is
provided. Developing countries must be assisted.
Fuelwood/plant fuels are a main source of energy in the developing world. Woodpoor nations must reorganize their agricultural sectors to meet this need.
Market forces alone cannot change the global energy use pattern governments
need to influence energy pricing to encourage energy-saving measures. New
mechanisms for encouraging consumer-producer dialogue over oil prices should be
explored. Political will and institutional cooperation is necessary.

Industry: Producing More with Less (p66-70)

Anti-pollution technology can mitigate the effects of rapidly expanding
manufacturing output, and make industries more cost-effective and resourceefficient.
o Again, the idea of growth and expanded manufacturing output is not
questioned. Furthermore, the report explicitly justifies it:
Many essential human needs can only be met through goods and services provided
by industry. Sustainable development must be powered by a continuing flow of
wealth from industry.
Assistance and information must be provided by industrialised nations and TNCs to
maximize technology use.
Not enough is being done to adapt recent innovations in materials technology,
energy conservation, information technology, and biotechnology to the needs of
developing countries (IIp66).
The export of hazardous industrial and agricultural chemicals which are developed
as a result of new technology must be more tightly controlled.
o There is a convention Stockholm
The Urban Challenge (p71-74)
The proportion of city-dwelling population is increasing the capacity to produce
and manage urban infrastructure, services/facilities and shelter must keep pace
(currently, they have not, and there is overcrowding and an urban crisis).

o An ecological alternative would be to reverse urban migration

Governments need to develop explicit settlements strategies to guide urbanization,
spreading it out. This includes tax, food pricing, transportation, health,
industrialization changes. Good city management requires decentralization of funds
to local authorities, as well as close cooperation with neighbourhood groups and the
urban poor.

International Cooperation and Institutional Reform

The systemic features operate not merely within but also between nations (Ip44).
Many environmental economy links also operate globallyno nation alone can
devise policies to deal effectively with the financial, economic and ecological costs
of the agricultural and trade policies of other nations (Ip45).

The role of the international economy (p75-81)

Ecosystem sustainability and equitable exchange are both necessary for a
beneficial system of international economic exchange.
Poverty and low growth must be alleviated by eliminating depressed commodity
prices, protectionism, debt burdens, and low flows of development finance. The
World Bank, IMF and International Development Association bears a heavy
responsibility to make this happen.
o Again, a dependency critique. Its clear that the report has two main goals:
eliminate poverty and reduce environmental damage. Ecologism seems
more concerned with the latter only (it acknowledges that the poor suffer
more from environmental damage, but places less emphasis on poverty
alleviation)
MNCs can contribute to this, but developing countries must be able to negotiate with
them on better terms.
More effective cooperation in the international economic system is necessary to
eliminate world poverty.
Managing the commons (p82-85)
Efforts to manage the global commons oceans, outer space, Antarctica are
problematized by traditional forms of national sovereignty (e.g., sea boundaries).
UNCLOS was an ambitious attempt to manage the oceans and all nations should
ratify it ASAP, as well as strengthen fisheries agreements, and regulate hazardous
waste dumping at sea.
There should be a space regime to limit the production of space debris through
orbiting and testing weapons in space.
The Antarctica Treaty system is too limited in both participation and scope.
Peace, Security, Development and the Environment (p86-88)

Environmental stress must be factor into considerations of threats to national

security governments and international agencies should assess military spending
and national security requirements against the need to reduce poverty and restore
a ravaged environment.
The most important need is for improved relations among major nuclear powers
and agreement on tighter control of WMDs, especially those with grave
environmental costs.

Institutional and legal change (p89-100)

Getting at the sources: The environment must be integrated into the considerations
of national agencies, regional organisations and international agencies.
Dealing with the effects: Governments should strengthen environmental protection
and resource management agencies, especially developing countries; the UN
Environmental Programme should also be strengthened.
Assessing Global Risks: The ability to identify, assess and report in risks of
irreversible environmental damage and their impact on the world community must
be strengthened, at both national and international (i.e., UNEP) levels; NGOs,
scientific bodies and industry groups should also cooperate to provide independent
assessment of these risks where issues are politically sensitive.
Making informed choices: the public, NGOs, the scientific community and industry
should be more involved in development planning, decision-making and project
implementation.
Providing the legal means: Governments need to fill in major gaps in existing
national and international law related to the environment; a universal Declaration on
environmental protection and sustainable development, and a convention should be
prepared, and environment and resource management dispute settlement
mechanisms should be strengthened.
Investing in our future: Multilateral financial institutions such as the World Bank,
regional development banks, the IMF and bilateral aid agencies should make a
fundamental commitment to sustainable development; proposals for securing
additional revenue from the use of international commons and natural resources
should be seriously considered by governments.
o Carbon tax is an example
A call for action (p101-109)
In the course of the past century, human numbers and technology have gained the
power to radically alter planetary systems. Major unintended changes are occurring
in the environment beyond the ability of scientific disciplines and political and
economic institutions to adapt and cope. This has created deep concern, and a
desire for these issues to be placed on the political agenda.
The onus for action lies with no one group of nations all nations would suffer from
environmental damage, and thus all nations have a role to play in changing trends, as well as

righting an increasingly inegalitarian international economic system. { Many of the risks

stemming from our productive activity and the technologies we use cross national
boundaries; many are globalthe risks are shared by all, rich and poormost
have little influence on the decision processes that regulate these activities (Ip31).}
In the next few decades, it is crucial for us to break out of past patterns old
approaches will only increase instability. Yet, the Commission realizes that this
drastic reorientation of approaches to development and environmental protection is
beyond the reach of current decision-making structures and institutional
arrangements: while it has tried to be realistic in its recommendations, it has also
tried to keep options open for future generations.
Active follow up of this report is imperative the UN must transform this report into
the UN Programme on Sustainable Development. Regional follow-up and an
international conference could review progress, set benchmarks and maintain
human progress.
Foremost, peoples attitudes must change, and this is only possible through a vast
campaign of education, debate and public participation which must start now. {Little
time is available for corrective actionin many cases we already known enough to
warrant action (Ip32)}
The security, well-being and survival of the planet depend on such changes, now.