Assignment no.

03

Environmental Psychology

Submitted by:

Saman Chaudhry

BSP-014

BS Psychology

Submitted to:

Miss Moomal Majeed

Department of Social Sciences

National University of Modern Languages

(Faisalabad)
 Sustainable Development
Introduction
Sustainable development strives to achieve human development goals while ensuring
that natural systems continue to provide essential resources and services. Its aim is to create a
society where human needs are met without jeopardizing the integrity and stability of the
planet. Balancing economic progress, environmental preservation, and social welfare,
sustainable development, as defined in the 1987 Brundtland Report, seeks to meet present
needs without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own. Today, it
emphasizes economic growth, social advancement, and environmental conservation for the
benefit of generations to come.

Sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains two key
concepts within it:

 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.

Sustainable development is a holistic approach that seeks to address the interconnection

between human development and the environment. It aims to meet the needs of present
generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
This concept emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between economic growth,
environmental protection, and social equity. By promoting responsible resource management,
social inclusion, and environmental stewardship, sustainable development strives to create a
prosperous and equitable society while safeguarding the planet for future generations.

Historical Evolution of Sustainable Development

The definition of sustainability has always been discussed by experts. In 1972,
definitions stressed restrictions on ecological systems, carrying out functions such as
absorption and recycling of waste of anthropogenic activities, with the concomitant problems
of improving social, educational, health, and employment. In 1987, sustainable development
was defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” In 2019, it was defined as satisfying
the needs of current and future generations, depending on appropriate circumstances of
human, natural, and economic capital to provide for human welfare. The concept of
sustainable development has become a widely recognized goal for human society in the 21st
century. The idea of sustainable development came to light in 1987 with the publication of
“Our Common Future,” which firmly established sustainable development as a critical
component of international development. Because inequalities that had been anomalies were
increasing within and among nations, increasing poverty, especially in developing countries,
depleting the ozone layer and causing global warming, depleting natural resources and
endangering some species of animals and plants, and causing water and air pollution, and so
forth, sustainable development came about as an effort to change the way of thinking about
the planet. Behind this lies the reason for why the concept of development is now preferred
instead of growth. Growth is believed to reflect only a quantitative aspect of countries
without considering other qualitative items such as education, health, and equality. The
argument is that growth is a quantitative increase in physical scale whereas development is
qualitative improvement or the unfolding of potentialities. This research analyzes why and
how the concept of sustainable development has emerged, how it should be conceptualized,
and what should be done to achieve it. In addition, the idea of sustainable development was
first thought to be a strategy to against ecological disaster resulting from the extreme
commercial exploitation of sources and the deterioration of the environment. The main
awareness was to maintain an exceptional environment. Today the idea has been extended. It
is has first-rate economic and social complexity. The evaluation of financial techniques in
many countries has proven that fast financial growth precipitated critical issues from the
viewpoint of sustainable development consisting of social, economic and environmental
sustainability.

Principles of Sustainable Development

The term sustainability universally refers to the efforts taken to preserve our natural
world. However, it usually emphasizes the environmental aspect, ignoring the other essential
elements that contribute to sustainability. The principles of sustainability are:

1. Interdependence: Interdependence recognizes that social, economic, and

environmental systems are interconnected and mutually influence each other. This
principle highlights the need for integrated approaches to address sustainability
challenges because actions taken in one system can have ripple effects on others. For
example, environmental degradation can negatively impact communities' health and
economic well-being, while economic policies can affect environmental sustainability.
Integrated approaches involve considering the interconnectedness of these systems
when developing policies, programs, and practices to achieve sustainable
development goals.

2. Equity and Social Justice: Equity and social justice involve ensuring fair distribution
of resources, opportunities, and benefits among individuals and communities, both
within and between generations. This principle emphasizes addressing inequalities to
promote social inclusion, well-being, and empowerment. It involves recognizing and
addressing systemic barriers that perpetuate disparities based on factors such as race,
gender, socioeconomic status, and geographical location. Achieving equity and social
justice requires policies and actions that provide equal access to essential services,
education, healthcare, employment, and decision-making processes.

3. Conservation and Stewardship: Conservation and stewardship focus on protecting

natural resources, biodiversity, and ecosystems for present and future generations.
This principle emphasizes sustainable management practices that maintain ecological
integrity, resilience, and functionality. It involves preserving habitats, preventing
habitat destruction, and minimizing pollution and other threats to ecosystems.
Conservation efforts also include restoring degraded ecosystems and promoting
sustainable land use practices to ensure the continued provision of ecosystem services,
such as clean air, water, and food.

4. Sustainable Resource Use: Sustainable resource use entails promoting responsible

consumption and production patterns that ensure the long-term availability of
resources while minimizing environmental impacts. This principle emphasizes using
resources efficiently, reducing waste, and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
 Sustainable resource use involves adopting practices such as recycling, energy
conservation, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable forestry. It also requires
considering the full life cycle of products and services, from extraction to disposal, to
minimize environmental degradation and maximize resource efficiency.

Three Dimensions of Sustainability: Economic, Social,

Environmental

Environmental sustainability
It is the ability to preserve and protect the natural environment over time through
appropriate practices and policies, meeting present needs without compromising the
availability of resources in the future.

Factors influencing environmental sustainability

Environmental sustainability is influenced by several factors that can have a
significant impact on the ecological balance and the planet's ability to sustain life. Some of
the main ones include:

 Air, water and soil pollution;

 Climate change, caused by the excessive amount of greenhouse gases released into
the atmosphere due to human activities;
 The loss of biodiversity;
 The overexploitation of natural resources;
 Economic models that involve unsustainable consumption.

Social sustainability
It involves a focus on the well-being of people and communities. It’s about
promoting equity, human rights, access to education and health care, and decent work. Social
sustainability aims to create inclusive societies, reduce inequality, and ensure long-term well-
being for all people while preserving social cohesion and justice. To achieve sustainability, it
is necessary to overcome:

 Poverty and socioeconomic inequality.

 Discrimination, prejudice and social exclusion.
 Lack of access to resources.
 Insecurity and conflict, locally, regionally and globally.
 Poor governance, which includes phenomena such as corruption and institutional
inefficiency.

In the path to social sustainability, the promotion of systems and policies that can reduce
social and economic inequalities play a particularly important role in ensuring equitable
access to opportunities and resources for all members of society.

In addition to the fight against inequality, the goals to be achieved in terms of social
sustainability include:

 The promotion of policies to respect basic human rights, such as the right to health
and education.
  The adoption of practices that value and include people of diverse backgrounds,
gender, ethnicity, ability, and sexual orientation.
 The creation of safer living environments with more efficient administration of
justice.
 The improvement of people's health and mental and physical well-being through
quality health services.

Economic sustainability
It is the approach whereby economic activities are conducted in such a way as to
preserve and promote long-term economic well-being. In practice, it aims to create a balance
between economic growth, resource efficiency, social equity and financial stability.

Factors influencing economic sustainability

Factors influencing economic sustainability include:
 The responsible management of resources.
 The capacity for efficiency and innovation of economic systems and enterprises.
 Financial stability at the macro level.
 States' level of social innovation, that is, each country's commitment to promoting
policies, programs and initiatives that address crucial social issues such as poverty,
gender equality, access to education and health care, environmental sustainability, and
other social issues.
 International cooperation and partnerships between public administration and private
enterprises.
 The level of equity and social inclusion.
 Corporate responsibility.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global objectives
established by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development. They serve as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and
ensure prosperity for all by 2030. Each goal addresses key social, economic, and
environmental challenges facing the world today, and they are interconnected, recognizing
that progress in one area often depends on progress in others. Here are the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals:

1. No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and
promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at
all ages.
4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote
lifelong learning opportunities for all.
5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water
and sanitation for all.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and
modern energy for all.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable
economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote
inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
10. Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive,
safe, resilient, and sustainable.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and
production patterns.
13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine
resources for sustainable development.
15. Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,
sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land
degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for
sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective,
accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize
the global partnership for sustainable development.

Challenges to Sustainable Development

Sustainable development faces a range of challenges that hinder progress towards
achieving environmental, economic, and social goals. Some of the key challenges include:

 Climate Change: Climate change poses significant threats to ecosystems,

communities, and economies worldwide. Rising temperatures, extreme weather
events, and sea-level rise exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and disrupt ecosystems,
agriculture, and water resources.

 Environmental Degradation: Deforestation, pollution, loss of biodiversity, and

degradation of land and water resources continue to undermine ecosystem health and
resilience. These environmental pressures threaten the availability of essential
resources and compromise the well-being of both current and future generations.

 Poverty and Inequality: Persistent poverty and widening income disparities hinder
efforts to achieve sustainable development goals. Limited access to basic services,
education, healthcare, and economic opportunities perpetuate cycles of poverty and
marginalization, particularly in vulnerable communities.

 Unsustainable Consumption and Production Patterns: The overexploitation of

natural resources, wasteful consumption patterns, and inefficient production processes
contribute to environmental degradation and resource depletion. Addressing
unsustainable consumption and production requires significant changes in lifestyles,
business practices, and policy frameworks.

 Urbanization and Infrastructure: Rapid urbanization and inadequate infrastructure

development strain resources and services in cities, leading to congestion, pollution,
and inadequate housing. Managing urban growth and improving infrastructure
resilience are critical for promoting sustainable urban development.
  Food Insecurity and Malnutrition: Despite advances in agricultural productivity,
millions of people still suffer from hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity.
Inequitable access to food, unsustainable agricultural practices, and climate-related
disruptions pose challenges to achieving food security and nutrition for all.

 Water Scarcity: Increasing water demand, pollution, and climate variability

exacerbate water scarcity in many regions. Competition for water resources intensifies
tensions and undermines ecosystem health, agricultural production, and human well-
being.

 Energy Transition: The transition to sustainable energy sources faces challenges

such as reliance on fossil fuels, inadequate infrastructure for renewable energy
deployment, and energy poverty in many parts of the world. Accelerating the shift
towards renewable energy and improving energy access are essential for addressing
climate change and promoting sustainable development.

 Conflict and Instability: Political instability, armed conflict, and social unrest
undermine efforts to achieve sustainable development goals by disrupting economies,
displacing populations, and exacerbating social inequalities. Building peace,
promoting social cohesion, and addressing the root causes of conflict are crucial for
sustainable development.

 Globalization and Trade: While globalization offers opportunities for economic

growth and development, it also poses challenges such as unequal distribution of
benefits, exploitation of labor and natural resources, and environmental degradation.
Balancing the benefits and risks of globalization requires inclusive and equitable trade
policies and international cooperation.

Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from governments, businesses, civil
society, and individuals to adopt integrated and collaborative approaches that prioritize
environmental sustainability, social equity, and economic resilience. Effective solutions will
require innovative strategies, transformative policies, and collective action at local, national,
and global levels.

Policy Frameworks in Pakistan:

Implementing sustainable development requires a comprehensive policy framework that
addresses economic, social, and environmental aspects. Here's an overview of policy
frameworks for sustainable development implementation both globally and in Pakistan:

Vision 2025:
 Pakistan's national development strategy aimed at transforming the country into an
economically developed, democratic, inclusive, and technologically advanced state.
 It focuses on areas such as energy, infrastructure, governance, human resource
development, and social protection.

Pakistan Vision 2047:

 A long-term development framework aiming to make Pakistan one of the top
economies in the world by 2047.
  Emphasizes sustainable development, human development, governance reforms, and
regional connectivity.

Climate Change Policy:

 Pakistan's Climate Change Policy aims to address environmental challenges,
including mitigation and adaptation strategies to combat climate change.
 It includes measures such as afforestation, renewable energy promotion, climate-
resilient agriculture, and disaster risk reduction.

National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS):

 Pakistan's NSDS provides a roadmap for integrating sustainable development
principles into national policies and programs.
 It focuses on poverty alleviation, economic growth, social inclusion, environmental
sustainability, and governance.

Provincial Policies and Initiatives:

 Various provinces in Pakistan have their own sustainable development policies and
initiatives tailored to their specific needs and priorities.
 These include initiatives related to agriculture, water management, education, health,
and urban development.