Brundtland Definition - Three-Dimension Concept

The United Nations NGO Committee on Sustainable Development follows the Brundtland Commission's definition of sustainability and the Three-Dimension Concept of the «Declaration of Rio on Environment and Development», adopted by the Rio Conference, 1992.

The Brundtland Definition
The World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission), agreed in 1987 on a definition of sustainable development that is now generally recognized:

”Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".

Three-Dimension Concept
The ”Declaration of Rio on Environment and Development“, 1992, recognized that sustainable development was a balance of three dimensions:
• Environmental Protection
• Economic Growth
• Social Development

The diagram demonstrates:

Economic, social and environmental processes are inter-connected
Neither public nor private agents can be permitted to act one-dimensionally and in isolation. Their actions must take into consideration the interplay of the three dimensions of environment, economic and social development.

Sustainable development goes beyond environmental preservation
Economic prosperity and solidarity is required in our society in order to satisfy our material and immaterial needs.

The implications of today’s actions must be considered for the future
Future generations should also be able to satisfy their needs.

Sustainable development calls for: Long-term changes in patterns of production and consumption
The aim is to protect the environment and its resources while at the same time satisfying human needs and boosting progress.

The global interdependencies must be considered (North/South aspect)
More balance in our global world is necessary.