Sustainable Development - Major Principles

The Goal is:

Development that improves the total quality of life, both now and in the future, in a way that maintains the ecological processes on which life depends.

The Core Objectives are:

to enhance individual and community well-being and welfare by following a path of economic development that safeguards the welfare of future generations
to provide for equity within and between generations
to protect biological diversity and maintain essential ecological processes and life-support systems

The Guiding Principles are:

decision making processes should effectively integrate both long and short-term economic, environmental, social and equity considerations
where there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation
the global dimension of environmental impacts of actions and policies should be recognised and considered
the need to develop a strong, growing and diversified economy which can enhance the capacity for environmental protection should be recognised
the need to maintain and enhance international competitiveness in an environmentally sound manner should be recognised
cost effective and flexible policy instruments should be adopted, such as improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms
decisions and actions should provide for broad community involvement on issues which affect them

These guiding principles and core objectives need to be considered as a package. No objective or principle should predominate over the others. A balanced approach is required that takes into account all these objectives and principles to pursue the goal of ESD.