The Nature of Sustainable Development

What does the term ‘ecologically sustainable development’ mean? Everyone — governments, the business lobby, environmental groups — is in favour of it. But it seems to mean different things to different people. Is ESD the future we have to have? Is it a contradiction in terms? Or is it a green light for developers?

Here is the second, up-to-date edition of a clear, comprehensive text that carefully examines the concept itself and the way it is used. Key issues dealt with at length include the relationship between the economy and the environment; the techniques of environmental valuation and pricing; the costs and benefits of regulation; local and global equity implications; the uses and limitations of technological solutions; and the roles of businesses, governments and consumers.

The text is divided into five main sections, with acclaimed case studies at the end of each section dealing with mining, biological diversity, industrial waste in the ocean off NSW (Australia), the greenhouse effect, and the car.