Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development Defined

The most commonly accepted definition of sustainable development today comes from the 1983 World Commission on Environment and Development which states: "sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". This definition was also adopted in Canada's  Federal Sustainable Development Act.

The Pillars of Sustainable Development

The three pillars of sustainable development are the environment, society, and the economy.

Sustainable development is about achieving and maintaining a healthy natural and built environment, a vibrant and just society, and a well-functioning economy for both present and future generations.

The Principles of Sustainable Development

In short, the principles of sustainable development encourage us to do the following:

• Make effective, responsible and equitable use of human, natural and economic resources.
• Think long-term to maintain quality of life for present and future generations.
• Understand the impacts of our decisions on the environment, society, and the economy on a local and global scale.
• Integrate and innovate our approaches to decision-making and the way we conduct business.

Related Resources

• Health Canada Resources
  • Planning for a Sustainable Future: Health Canada's 2011-2014 Sustainable Development Strategy
  • Health Canada's Office of Sustainable Development
  •  Health Canada's Report on Plans and Priorities
  • Health Policy Research - Reports and Publications
  
  
• Government of Canada Resources
  •  Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development
  •  Federal Sustainable Development Strategy
  •  Federal Sustainable Development Act
  •  Sustainable Development Research and Analysis by the Policy Research Initiative
  •  Public Works and Government Services Canada - Greening of Government
  •  Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency - Strategic Environmental Assessment
  
  
• International Resources
  •  International Institute for Sustainable Development
  •  Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
  •  World Health Organization - World Summit on Sustainable Development
  •  United Nations Division for Sustainable Development
  •  European Commission - Sustainable Development

For more information, contact the Office of Sustainable Development.