The Imperatives of Sustainable Development: Needs, Justice, Limits

In 1987 the Brundtland Commission, in Our Common Future, gave us the concept of 'sustainable development', creating debate and attracting criticism as well as praise. This book defends sustainable development, offering a powerful and coherent conceptual framework for using the term in the face of the global challenges before us. - Dr. Keith Smith, Imperial College Business School, London

The book lays out convincingly that human wellbeing depends on three core issues: a safe environment, social justice and the provision of basic human needs. The authors trace the history of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which cover all three dimensions, and make suggestions for future policy pathways. - Dr. Brigitte Knopf, Secretary General of the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change, Germany

This book is essential reading for everyone interested in sustainable development and the necessities that follow from the concept. The book is true to the concepts origin, drawing on and further elaborating the core imperatives of sustainable development as elaborated in Our Common Future almost 30 years ago. As such, it is a timely contribution for a time in which the need for sustainable development policies are more pressing than ever before. - Oluf Langhelle, Professor, Dr. Polit., University of Stavanger, Norway

Making transition and transformation toward a sustainable society with inclusive well-being is an urgent and daunting task we all face. It requires deep understanding of a wide range of sciences, theoretical frameworks and philosophies, and insights into interrelatedness of all factors. The Imperatives of Sustainable Development will powerfully help you navigate this uncharted water toward sustainability. - Junko Edahiro, President, Institute for Studies in Happiness, Economy and Society (ISHES)

The Imperatives of Sustainable Development is essential reading for advancing beyond understanding the sustainability challenge to understanding the solution. The authors argue that a focus on satisfying human needs, ensuring social justice, and respecting environmental limits provide an effective key to a diverse set of workable solutions. - Elliott Sclar, Director, Center for Sustainable Urban Development, Columbia University Earth Institute; and Professor Emeritus of Urban Planning, Columbia University USA

This thought-provoking book should be read by both academics and policy-makers. It provides a critical reflection of the intellectual inquiry and government efforts towards sustainability over the past three decades. Most notably, it recognizes that sustainability challenges and choices are different for low-income countries and high-income ones. - Becky Loo, Professor of Geography and Director of the Institute of Transport Studies, University of Hong Kong

Thirty years on, the concept of sustainable development has truly come of age. The UN Sustainable Development Goals aim to give practical effect to the original aspirations. This timely book will help students and practitioners from diverse cultures identify whether or not we are on the right path. - Jim Skea, Co-chair IPCC Working Group III, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London