Description
Cents and Sustainability is a clear-sighted response to the 1987 call by Dr Gro Brundtland in Our Common Future to achieve a new era of economic growth that is 'forceful and at the same time socially and environmentally sustainable'. The Brundtland Report argued that not only was it achievable, but that it was an urgent imperative in order to achieve a transition to sustainable development while significantly reducing poverty and driving 'clean and green' investment. With some still arguing for significantly slowing economic growth in order to reduce pressures on the environment, this new book, Cents and Sustainability, shows that it is possible to reconcile the need for economic growth and environmental sustainability through a strategy to decouple economic growth from environmental pressures, combined with a renewed commitment to achieve significant environmental restoration and poverty reduction. Beginning with a brief overview of some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, the book then explains 'decoupling theory', overviews a number of factors that can undermine and even block efforts to decouple in both developed and developing countries, and then discusses a number of key considerations to assist the development of national 'decoupling strategies'. The book then focuses on presenting evidence to support greater action, not just on climate change, but also on decoupling economic growth from the loss of biodiversity and the deterioration of natural systems, freshwater extraction, waste production, and air pollution.In the lead up to the 2012 United Nations Earth Summit and beyond, Cents and Sustainability will be a crucial guide to inform and assist nations to develop strategies to significantly reduce environmental pressures, strengthen their economy, create jobs and reduce poverty. 'I commend the team from The Natural Edge Project and their partners for undertaking to develop a response to 'Our Common Future' to mark its 20th anniversary.' Dr Gro Brundtland.Sequel to The Natural Advantage of NationsPublished with The Natural Edge Project
Table of Contents
Forewords by Dr Gro Brundtland, Dr Kenneth G. Ruffing and Dr Rajendra Pachauri1. Securing 'Our Common Future' 2. Achieving Economic Growth and Reducing Environmental Pressures3. Factors that can Undermine or Even Block Efforts to Achieve Decoupling4. Factors that affect Poorer Nations' Ability to Achieve Decoupling5. Informing and Developing National Strategies for Decoupling6. Responding to the Complexity of Climate Change7. Decoupling Economic Growth from Greenhouse Gas Emissions 8. Decoupling Economic Growth from Loss of Biodiversity and the Deterioration of Natural Systems9. Decoupling Economic Growth from Freshwater Extraction10. Decoupling Economic Growth from Waste Production11. Decoupling Economic Growth from Air Pollution12. Reducing Air Pollution through Public Interest Litigation: The Delhi Pollution Case
