Sustainable Development

Traditionally, this is described as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (and is therefore sustainable) - as defined by the 1992 UN Declaration on Environment and Development at Rio de Janeiro. However, it is impossible to define accurately what the needs of future generations will be because we cannot know with any certainty what future inventions or changes will bring.

Health is both a resource for, and an outcome of, sustainable development. The goals of sustainable development cannot be achieved when there is a high prevalence of debilitating illness and poverty, and the health of a population cannot be maintained without a responsive health system and a healthy environment. Environmental degradation, mismanagement of natural resources, and unhealthy consumption patterns and lifestyles all have an impact on health. Ill-health, in turn, hampers poverty alleviation and economic development.

Sustainability impact assessments of trade policies are a process for assessing the impact of trade liberalization on sustainable development.

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