Sustainable development: A new(ish) idea for a new century?

Political Studies

Volumn 48, Issue 2, 2000, Pages 370-387

  Meadowcroft, James ^a  

^a NONE

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EID: 0034361436     PISSN: 00323217     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1111/1467-9248.00265     Document Type: Article

References (53)

1. 1 As the subsequent discussion will make clear, sustainable development is not just an 'environmental' concept, and it can be invoked as a normative meta-objective across the whole of government. It also has quite specific implications for international development policy, a point to which I will return in due course. Nevertheless, governments in the developed countries typically have argued that in light of their generally robust economies and established social welfare systems it is with respect to managing environmental burdens that the concept can be of most use. Some governments have made efforts to draw the idea of sustainable development into decision making across a broad range of areas. On occasion the expressions 'ecologically sustainable development' or 'environmentally sustainable development' are employed to make explicit the primary concern with environmental constraints.
2. 2 World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987.
3. 'Sustainable development' is cited in eleven of the 27 'principles' of the 'Rio Declaration on Environment and Development'. The full title of the action programme adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio was: 'Agenda 21: A Blueprint for Action for Global Sustainable Development into the 21st Century' (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Agenda 21, New York, United Nations, p. 13.)
4. 3 References to 'sustainability' and the 'sustainable society' can be found in radical environmental literature from the 1970s. 'Sustainable development' was famously invoked in the World Conservation Strategy issued in 1980 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Wildlife Fund. For a discussion see W. Adams, Green Development. London: Routledge, 1990.
5. 4 WCED, Our Common Future, p. 43.
6. 5 Early reviews of the literature on sustainable development can be found in D. Mitlin, 'Sustainable development: a guide to the literature', Environment and Urbanization, 4 (1992), 111-124; J. Pezzy, 'Sustainability: An Interdisciplinary Guide', Environmental Values, 1 (1992), 321-62; and S. Lele 'Sustainable development : a critical review', World Development, 19 (1991), 607-621. For a more analytical approach to understanding different approaches to sustainability see A. Dobson, 'Environmental sustainabilities: an analysis and a typology', Environmental Politics, 5 (1996), 401-428.
7. 5 Early reviews of the literature on sustainable development can be found in D. Mitlin, 'Sustainable development: a guide to the literature', Environment and Urbanization, 4 (1992), 111-124; J. Pezzy, 'Sustainability: An Interdisciplinary Guide', Environmental Values, 1 (1992), 321-62; and S. Lele 'Sustainable development : a critical review', World Development, 19 (1991), 607-621. For a more analytical approach to understanding different approaches to sustainability see A. Dobson, 'Environmental sustainabilities: an analysis and a typology', Environmental Politics, 5 (1996), 401-428.
8. 5 Early reviews of the literature on sustainable development can be found in D. Mitlin, 'Sustainable development: a guide to the literature', Environment and Urbanization, 4 (1992), 111-124; J. Pezzy, 'Sustainability: An Interdisciplinary Guide', Environmental Values, 1 (1992), 321-62; and S. Lele 'Sustainable development : a critical review', World Development, 19 (1991), 607-621. For a more analytical approach to understanding different approaches to sustainability see A. Dobson, 'Environmental sustainabilities: an analysis and a typology', Environmental Politics, 5 (1996), 401-428.
9. 5 Early reviews of the literature on sustainable development can be found in D. Mitlin, 'Sustainable development: a guide to the literature', Environment and Urbanization, 4 (1992), 111-124; J. Pezzy, 'Sustainability: An Interdisciplinary Guide', Environmental Values, 1 (1992), 321-62; and S. Lele 'Sustainable development : a critical review', World Development, 19 (1991), 607-621. For a more analytical approach to understanding different approaches to sustainability see A. Dobson, 'Environmental sustainabilities: an analysis and a typology', Environmental Politics, 5 (1996), 401-428.
10. 6 Arguably each of these ideas is already present within the Brundtland report, but subsequent international discussion centred on the UNCED process made their centrality to sustainable development more explicit.
11. 7 For a discussion of the Earth Summit see M. Grubb, M. Koch, K. Thompson, A. Munson and F. Sullivan, The Earth Summit Agreements: a Guide and Assessment. London: Earthscan, 1993. For an overview of the UNCED process consider D. Reid, Sustainable Development: an Introductory Guide. London: Earthscan, 1995.
12. 7 For a discussion of the Earth Summit see M. Grubb, M. Koch, K. Thompson, A. Munson and F. Sullivan, The Earth Summit Agreements: a Guide and Assessment. London: Earthscan, 1993. For an overview of the UNCED process consider D. Reid, Sustainable Development: an Introductory Guide. London: Earthscan, 1995.
13. 8 For sustainable development as an international norm see W. Lafferty, 'The politics of sustainable development: global norms for national implementation', Environmental Politics, 5 (1996), 185-208.
14. 9 See, for example, W. Sachs, 'Global Ecology and the Shadow of "Development"', in Global Ecology : a New Arena of Political Conflict. London: Zed, 1993, pp. 3-21; and D. Richardson, The Politics of Sustainable Development' in S. Baker, M. Kousis, D. Richardson and S. Young (eds), The Politics of Sustainable Development: Theory, Policy and Practice within the European Union. London: Routledge, 1997.
15. 9 See, for example, W. Sachs, 'Global Ecology and the Shadow of "Development"', in Global Ecology : a New Arena of Political Conflict. London: Zed, 1993, pp. 3-21; and D. Richardson, The Politics of Sustainable Development' in S. Baker, M. Kousis, D. Richardson and S. Young (eds), The Politics of Sustainable Development: Theory, Policy and Practice within the European Union. London: Routledge, 1997.
16. 10 For an interesting exchange consider W. Beckerman, 'Sustainable development: is it a useful concept?', Environmental Values, 3 (1994) 191-209; and M. Jacobs, 'Sustainable development, capital substitution and economic humility: a response to Beckerman', Environmental Values, 4 (1995), 57-68.
17. 10 For an interesting exchange consider W. Beckerman, 'Sustainable development: is it a useful concept?', Environmental Values, 3 (1994) 191-209; and M. Jacobs, 'Sustainable development, capital substitution and economic humility: a response to Beckerman', Environmental Values, 4 (1995), 57-68.
18. 11 COMPSUS project. For full details see unnumbered note.
19. 12 K. Eckerberg, working paper for COMPSUS project, 1999. One of the more important laws is: Targeting sustainable development: implementation of the UNCED decisions' (Prop. 1993/94:111). See also: Ministry of the Environment, The Environment Code. Stockholm, 1998.
20. 12 K. Eckerberg, working paper for COMPSUS project, 1999. One of the more important laws is: Targeting sustainable development: implementation of the UNCED decisions' (Prop. 1993/94:111). See also: Ministry of the Environment, The Environment Code. Stockholm, 1998.
21. 13 Government of Canada, A Guide to Green Government. Ottawa: Minister of Supply and Services, 1995; and, G. Toner, working paper for COMPSUS project, 1998.
22. 13 Government of Canada, A Guide to Green Government. Ottawa: Minister of Supply and Services, 1995; and, G. Toner, working paper for COMPSUS project, 1998.
23. 14 M. Reitan, 'Norway: A Case of "Splendid isolation", in M. Andersen and D. Liefferink (eds), European Environmental Policy: the Pioneers. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1997; and O. Langhelle, working paper for the COMPSUS project, 1998.
24. 14 M. Reitan, 'Norway: A Case of "Splendid isolation", in M. Andersen and D. Liefferink (eds), European Environmental Policy: the Pioneers. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1997; and O. Langhelle, working paper for the COMPSUS project, 1998.
25. 15 B. Dalal-Clayton, Getting to Grips with Green Plans: National Experience in Industrial Countries. London: Earthscan, 1996; and E. Papadakis, working paper for COMPSUS project, 1998.
26. 15 B. Dalal-Clayton, Getting to Grips with Green Plans: National Experience in Industrial Countries. London: Earthscan, 1996; and E. Papadakis, working paper for COMPSUS project, 1998.
27. 16 These are the National Environmental Policy Plans: NEPP (1989), NEPP+ (1990), NEPP 2 (1993) and NEPP 3 (1998).
28. 17 M. Janicke and H. Jorgens, 'National environmental policy plans and long-term sustainable development strategies: learning from international experiences', Environmental Politics, 7 (1998), 27-54.
29. 18 For discussion of dimensions of variation see Janicke and Jorgens, 'National environmental policy plans'; and J. Meadowcroft, 'The politics of sustainable development: emergent arenas and challenges for political science', International Political Science Review, 20 (1999), 219-237.
30. 18 For discussion of dimensions of variation see Janicke and Jorgens, 'National environmental policy plans'; and J. Meadowcroft, 'The politics of sustainable development: emergent arenas and challenges for political science', International Political Science Review, 20 (1999), 219-237.
31. 19 For an example, see Environment Agency, Local Environment Agency Plan: Severn Vale, Consultation Draft. Tewkesbury, Glos.: Environment Agency, 1999.
32. 20 Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Sustainability Counts. London: DETR, 1998.
33. 21 Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Sustainable Development in Germany; Draft Programme for Priority Areas in Environmental Policy: Summary. Bonn: 1998. Note the contrast in emphasis with the UK approach, which has recently stressed drawing together the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, while the German government chose to focus particular attention on the environmental themes.
34. 22 For more on the Dutch covenants see P. Glasbergen, 'Partnership as a Learning Process: Environmental Covenants in the Netherlands', in P. Glasbergen (ed.), Co-operative Environmental Governance: Public-Private Agreements as a Policy Strategy. Dordrecht: Kluwer, 1998.
35. 23 For a discussion of the implications of such approaches see J. Meadowcroft, 'Co-operative management regimes: collaborative problem-solving to implement sustainable development', International Negotiation, 4 (1999), 1-30.
36. 24 For a general discussion of eco-taxation see M. Andersen, Governance by Green Taxation. Manchester, Manchester University Press, 1994.
37. 25 Factor productivity refers to the output per unit of resource input. Factor 4 refers to getting 4 times more output per input (ie increasing materials and energy efficiency four fold). Factor 10 is a still more ambitious objective. See for example: E. Weizsacker, A. Lovins and L. Lovins, Factor Four: Doubling Wealth, Halving Resourse Use, the New Report to the Club of Rome. London: Earthscan, 1997.
38. 26 On Local Agenda 21, see H. Voisey, C. Beuermann, L. Sverdrup and T. O'Riordan, 'The political significance of local Agenda 21: the early stages of some European experience', Local Environment, I (1996), pp. 33-50; and W. Lafferty and K. Eckerberg (eds), From Earth Summit to Local Forum: Studies of Local Agenda 21 in Europe. Oslo: ProSus, 1997.
39. 26 On Local Agenda 21, see H. Voisey, C. Beuermann, L. Sverdrup and T. O'Riordan, 'The political significance of local Agenda 21: the early stages of some European experience', Local Environment, I (1996), pp. 33-50; and W. Lafferty and K. Eckerberg (eds), From Earth Summit to Local Forum: Studies of Local Agenda 21 in Europe. Oslo: ProSus, 1997.
40. 27 G. Bryner, working paper for COMPSUS project, 1998.
41. 28 Governments have shown little enthusiasm for programmes to alter consumption patterns. Some steps have been taken on eco-labelling, and consumer education - particularly in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Norway in particular has assumed a leadership role on the international level by supporting a work programme around 'sustainable production and consumption'. For results of a recent initiative financed by Norway see N. Robins and S. Roberts, Consumption in a Sustainable World. London: IIED, 1998.
42. 29 S. Baker, The Evolution of European Environmental Policy: from Growth to Sustainable Development?', in Baker et al. The Politics of Sustainable Development.
43. 30 On Canada's Green Plan see G. Toner and B. Doern, 'Five political and policy imperatives in Green Plan formation: the Canadian case', Environmental Politics, 3 (1994), 395-420; and E. Darier, 'Environmental governmentality: the case of Canada's Green Plan', Environmental Politics, 5 (1996), 585-606.
44. 30 On Canada's Green Plan see G. Toner and B. Doern, 'Five political and policy imperatives in Green Plan formation: the Canadian case', Environmental Politics, 3 (1994), 395-420; and E. Darier, 'Environmental governmentality: the case of Canada's Green Plan', Environmental Politics, 5 (1996), 585-606.
45. 31 For useful discussions of climate change see T. O'Riordan and J. Jager, Politics of Climate Change: a European Perspective. London: Routledge, 1996; and U. Collier and R. Lofstedt (eds), Cases in Climate Change Policy. London: Earthscan, 1997.
46. 31 For useful discussions of climate change see T. O'Riordan and J. Jager, Politics of Climate Change: a European Perspective. London: Routledge, 1996; and U. Collier and R. Lofstedt (eds), Cases in Climate Change Policy. London: Earthscan, 1997.
47. 32 D. McGraw, 'The Convention on Biological Diversity at the Cross-roads', paper presented to the workshop on 'Implementing policies of sustainable development: examining actor relationships and negotiating processes', 25-26 May 1998, Geneva.
48. 33 Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, Third National Environmental Policy Plan: the Summary. The Hague: 1998.
49. 34 Whether global resource and pollutant burdens associated with domestic consumption in these countries have decoupled from growth is another question. To ascertain that one would have to take account also of the displacement of certain productive sectors (for example, ship building) towards the developing world.
50. 35 OECD, OBCD Environmental Data: Compendium 1997. Paris: OECD, 1997. For an informed discussion of the environmental performance of industrialized states see M. Janicke and H. Weidner (eds). National Environmental Policies: a Comparative Study of Capacity Building. Berlin: Springer, 1997.
51. 35 OECD, OBCD Environmental Data: Compendium 1997. Paris: OECD, 1997. For an informed discussion of the environmental performance of industrialized states see M. Janicke and H. Weidner (eds). National Environmental Policies: a Comparative Study of Capacity Building. Berlin: Springer, 1997.
52. 36 J. Dryzek, The Politics of the Earth. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.
53. 37 For a further discussion of this point see J. Meadowcroft, 'Planning for Sustainable Development: What can be Learnt from the Critics?', in M. Kenny and J. Meadowcroft (eds), Planning Sustainability. London: Routledge, 1999.