Sustainable development
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. The Queensland Government is ensuring that ESD becomes a part of all its programs and is adopted by the general community.
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.
For more information about sustainable development, visit the EPA web site.
Last updated 12 December 2008