Previous Year Question

Sustainable Development is a development process in which meeting the needs of the present generation should not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concept is primarily associated with the prudent use of Natural Resources and Intergenerational Equity. Its objective is to utilize resources such as water, forests, land, minerals, and energy in a manner that ensures their availability for future generations.

The widely accepted definition of Sustainable Development was presented in 1987 in the report Our Common Future by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). The commission was chaired by Gro Harlem Brundtland and is therefore also known as the Brundtland Commission. According to this concept, development must maintain a balance between present needs and the interests of future generations.

Natural Resources are generally classified into Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources. The replenishment or regeneration of forests, water, and biological resources depends on natural conditions, whereas Non-Renewable Resources such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas cannot be regenerated within human timescales. Therefore, Resource Efficiency, Conservation, Recycling, and the use of Renewable Energy are important measures for achieving Sustainable Development.

Sustainable Development has three major dimensions—Economic Development, Social Inclusion, and Environmental Protection. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations in 2015, integrate these dimensions. Among them, Goal 12 addresses Responsible Consumption and Production, while Goal 15 focuses on the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems.