Nestle Sustainable Development
Doing Better by the Environment
Sustainable development
INTRODUCTION
The latter part of the twentieth century saw an increasing concern for the environment. The concept of “sustainable development” (as defined by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987) is: “development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” There are many views about the nature of sustainability. In its simplest form it is about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for future generations. To achieve this, sustainable development is concerned with achieving economic growth alongside the protection of the environment and also at the same time making sure that these economic and environmental benefits are available to everyone. These three aspects - economic, environmental and social form the basis of the sustainable development concept.
Rio and after
By the early 1990s there was considerable pressure for governments to create agreements concerning the environment and its protection. In 1992 the United Nations Conference on Environmental and Development (UNCED) was held in Rio de Janeiro. The main outcome of the conference was Agenda 21, which marked an important landmark in the sustainable development fight, and inter country co-operation. Agenda 21 was the main document signed at the conference. It was over 800 pages long, and represented a new global commitment to sustainable development. It was not a legally binding document, but was devised as a working plan which countries would follow. The conference marked the start of global co-operation, which was needed to deal with the many issues, including concern for the environment.
The environment is a key subject that affects us all. Protection of the environment and the move towards sustainable development remains a responsibility that must be shared between the public, governments and the private sector.
Sustainable development
INTRODUCTION
The latter part of the twentieth century saw an increasing concern for the environment. The concept of “sustainable development” (as defined by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987) is: “development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” There are many views about the nature of sustainability. In its simplest form it is about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for future generations. To achieve this, sustainable development is concerned with achieving economic growth alongside the protection of the environment and also at the same time making sure that these economic and environmental benefits are available to everyone. These three aspects - economic, environmental and social form the basis of the sustainable development concept.
Rio and after
By the early 1990s there was considerable pressure for governments to create agreements concerning the environment and its protection. In 1992 the United Nations Conference on Environmental and Development (UNCED) was held in Rio de Janeiro. The main outcome of the conference was Agenda 21, which marked an important landmark in the sustainable development fight, and inter country co-operation. Agenda 21 was the main document signed at the conference. It was over 800 pages long, and represented a new global commitment to sustainable development. It was not a legally binding document, but was devised as a working plan which countries would follow. The conference marked the start of global co-operation, which was needed to deal with the many issues, including concern for the environment.
The environment is a key subject that affects us all. Protection of the environment and the move towards sustainable development remains a responsibility that must be shared between the public, governments and the private sector.