Sustainability
We all need to help look after the environment now and for the future. Ecologically sustainable development (ESD) can help us protect the environment.
Australia's governments have worked together to develop the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development and the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment. Government is committed to implementing the Strategy throughout Australia to improve environmental management. The Queensland Government is acting to ensure that ESD becomes a part of all its programs and is adopted by the general community.
The Commonwealth Government and State Governments worked together to produce the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment to provide more detail on implementing ESD in Australia.
What is ecologically sustainable development (ESD)?
The National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development defines ESD as:
development which aims to meet the needs of Australians today, while conserving our ecosystems for the benefit of future generations;.
The major elements of ESD include:
- integrating the economic, social and environmental concerns and needs of the community
- accounting properly for the economic costs of environmental degradation
- accepting that each generation is responsible for the welfare of future generations
- understanding environmental risk and uncertainty
- understanding the global scale of environmental issues
What are the objectives of ecologically sustainable development (ESD)?
The National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development has three objectives for ESD:
- to enhance individual and community well-being and welfare by following a path of economic development that safeguards the welfare of future generations
- to provide for equity within and between generations
- to protect biological diversity and maintain essential ecological processes and life support systems
(Source: ‘National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development’ (1992))
Principles of ESD
The National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development outlines two principles of ESD:
- incorporating ESD in decision-making
- the precautionary principle
Who is responsible for ESD?
Everyone is responsible for acting in a way which will make our future sustainable. This includes local, State and federal governments, business, industry, community groups and individuals.
The Queensland Government has included the notion of ESD in legislation, for example the Environmental Protection Act 1994, Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Coastal Management Act 1995.
The Queensland Government's sustainability program is one of the department's top five priorities. Sustainability programs are also performed by a range of other government departments.
Further details of Queensland Government programs are available from the following web sites:
- Department of State Development
- Department of Housing
- Department of Public Works
- Department of Employment and Training
- Department of Industrial Relations
For more information
Visit the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage web site.
Last updated: 27 November 2006