CSS Solved Environmental Science Past Papers | What is sustainable development? Describe its goals and why it is often associated with protecting the environment.
The following question of Environmental Science is attempted on the same pattern, taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
The examiner expects you to provide a clear and concise overview of the concept of sustainable development, its key objectives, and the reasons why it is closely linked to environmental protection. Make a comprehensive and convincing outline that covers every relevant aspect of your answer that you are to be covered in your answer. By following the outline, you can ensure that you address all the key aspects of the prompt and present a logical and coherent argument. Remember to use specific examples and evidence to support your points, and to structure your writing in a clear and organized manner. You can make easy and simple diagrams to strengthen your answer. Further, you can validate your answer by providing authentic references from the international community.
Outline
1- Introduction
2- Brief historical perspective of sustainable development and its goals
3- Goals of sustainable development (SDGs); Triple Bottom Line
- ✓Social goals
- ✓Environmental sustainable goals
- ✓Economic development goals
- ✓Sound governance and partnership goals
4– The linkage between sustainable development and environmental protection
- ✓Clean water and sanitation (SDG-6)
- ✓Affordable and clean energy (SDG-7)
- ✓Responsible consumption and production of energy (SDG-12)
- ✓Climate Action (SDG-13)
- ✓Life below water (SDG-14)
- ✓Life on land (SDG-15)
5- Environmental protection initiatives under the framework of sustainable development
6- Status of sustainable development and environmental protection in Pakistan
7- Sustainable development requires long-term thinking and planning for its proper execution
8- Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
“Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want for all. It offers a framework to generate economic growth, achieve social justice, exercise environmental stewardship, and strengthen governance.”
– Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Sustainable development is a concept that has gained increasing importance in recent years, as the world faces growing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It refers to the idea of meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concept recognizes that economic development, social well-being, and environmental protection are all interconnected and must be balanced to achieve long-term sustainability. The goals of sustainable development include economic growth and development that is equitable and inclusive, social well-being that promotes access to education, healthcare, and basic human rights, and environmental protection that preserves natural resources and mitigates the impacts of climate change. In this context, protecting the environment is a crucial element of sustainable development, as environmental degradation can have negative social and economic impacts. Therefore, sustainable development aims to integrate environmental concerns into economic and social decision-making, ensuring that development is both economically and environmentally sustainable.
Brief historical perspective of sustainable development and its goals
The concept of sustainable development emerged in the 1970s as a response to growing concerns about the impact of human activities on the environment. The key idea of sustainable development emphasizes the importance of balancing economic, social, and environmental concerns to achieve long-term sustainability. In 1987 the World Commission on Environment and Development, also known as the Brundtland Commission, published a report called “Our Common Future” which defined the concept of sustainable development for the first time. The goals of sustainable development were elaborated in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, which produced the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and the Agenda 21 action plan. The three main goals of sustainable development identified in the Rio Declaration are economic development, social well-being, and environmental protection, also known as the triple bottom line. Since the Rio Conference, sustainable development has become widely accepted and integrated into the policies and practices of governments, and civil society organizations around the world. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, provide a framework for achieving sustainable development by 2030, with 17 specific goals and 169 targets that address social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainability.
Goals of sustainable development (SDGs); Triple Bottom Line
Sustainable development goals are a set of targets established by the United Nations in 2015 to achieve sustainable development worldwide by the year 2030. The goals, because of their utmost importance, are integrated and universal to cover the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The 17 SDGs are
The SDGs aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The triple bottom line is a concept that emphasizes the need for organizations and environmental communities to focus on not just their economic activities, but also their social and environmental performance. The triple bottom line includes three dimensions named social goals, environmental sustainability goals, and economic development goals. Sometimes, sound partnerships among governing authorities are also categorized in the triple bottom line.
- ✓Social goals
These goals are focused on promoting social development, reducing poverty (SDG 1), Zero hunger (SDG 2), and inequality, and improving access to education (SDG 4), healthcare (SDG 3), and gender equality (SDG 10). The SDGs provide a comprehensive framework for addressing the social, economic, and environmental challenges of sustainable development. Achieving these goals requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of social exclusion, discrimination, and inequality. The SDGs provide a framework for promoting social development by ending poverty in all its forms, ensuring access to healthy food and healthcare, promoting inclusive and equitable education, achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls, and reducing inequalities within and among countries.
- ✓Environmental sustainable goals
The environmental sustainability goals include Clean Water and Sanitation(SDG 6), which aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation facilities for all; Affordable and Clean Energy(SDG 7), which aims to increase access to renewable energy sources and promote energy efficiency; Sustainable Cities and Communities(SDG 11), which aims to promote sustainable urbanization and improve access to basic services and infrastructure; Responsible Consumption and Production(SDG12), which aims to promote sustainable consumption patterns and reduce waste and pollution; Climate Action(SDG 13), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change; Life Below Water(SDG 14), which aims to protect and restore marine ecosystems and preserve marine biodiversity; and Life On Land(SDG 15), which aims to promote the protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems and promote biodiversity conservation.
- ✓Economic development goals
The economic development goals aim to promote sustainable economic growth and development that is equitable and inclusive, while also taking into account the long-term impacts on the environment and natural resources. The economic development goals include Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), which aims to promote full and productive employment and decent work for all. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9) aims to promote sustainable and inclusive industrialization, increase access to affordable and sustainable infrastructure, and support innovation and research, and development. These goals ensure that the benefits of economic development are shared equitably among all members of society. It also recognizes the interdependence between economic, social, and environmental concerns, and aims to promote balanced and sustainable development that benefits both current and future generations.
- ✓Sound governance and partnership goals
The governance and partnership goals recognize the importance of promoting peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, and of building effective partnerships between different stakeholders to achieve sustainable development. The governance and partnership goals include Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16), which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective and accountable institutions at all levels; and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17), which aims to promote multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaboration to achieve sustainable development and to enhance the mobilization of financial and technical resources for sustainable development. Achieving these goals requires a potential commitment to good governance, the rule of law, and human rights. It also requires effective partnerships between governments, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders.
The linkage between sustainable development and environmental protection
There is a strong linkage between sustainable development goals and the protection of the environment. The United Nations has recognized that sustainable development cannot be achieved without addressing the environmental challenges facing the planet. The protection of the environment is a fundamental aspect of achieving the SDGs. Many of the SDGs are directly related to environmental protection and these goals that specifically deal with the protection of the environment are known as “Environmental SDGs”.
- ✓Clean water and sanitation (SDG-6)
Clean Water and Sanitation, aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. It is done by reducing water pollution and using water resources more efficiently through integrated management practices. It highlights clean water and sanitation as a primary human right and essential to achieving sustainable development, emphasizing the need for equitable access, improved water quality, and efficient water resources management.
- ✓Affordable and clean energy (SDG-7)
Affordable and Clean Energy aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. SDG 7 recognizes the fundamental role of access to affordable and clean energy in driving economic growth, improving human well-being, and mitigating climate change, emphasizing the need for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and international cooperation.
- ✓Responsible consumption and production of energy (SDG-12)
Responsible Consumption and Production aims to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns that support economic growth while minimizing negative impacts on natural resources and the environment. SDG 12 recognizes the importance of responsible consumption and production patterns in supporting economic growth and environmental sustainability, emphasizing the need for resource efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable practices by companies and the tourism industry.
- ✓Climate Action (SDG-13)
Climate Action aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. It includes strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. It is done by integrating climate change measures into national policies and strategies. SDG 13 recognizes that climate change is one of the serious challenges of our time and that urgent action is needed to address its impacts on sustainable development.
- ✓Life below water (SDG-14)
Life below Water aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. It is done by preventing and reducing marine pollution, protecting and restoring marine ecosystems, sustainable management of marine and coastal fisheries and aquaculture, increasing scientific knowledge, and supporting small-scale artisanal fishers and fishing communities for sustainable livelihoods. SDG 14 recognizes the critical role of oceans in sustaining life on Earth.
- ✓Life on land (SDG-15)
Life on Land aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, forests, and biodiversity. Its key objective is to halt deforestation and restoring degraded forests, protecting threatened species, combating desertification and land degradation by promoting sustainable land use practices, and integrating ecosystem and biodiversity values into planning. SDG 15 recognizes the critical role of terrestrial ecosystems on Earth and the urgent need to protect them from degradation and loss while supporting their sustainable use for sustainable development.
Environmental protection initiatives under the framework of sustainable development
Environmental protection initiatives under the framework of sustainable development aim to promote sustainable economic growth while protecting the environment. Examples of such initiatives include the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals, green energy initiatives, waste management programs, conservation and restoration initiatives, eco-friendly agriculture, and green transportation. These initiatives aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, promote recycling, protect natural habitats, conserve biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Status of sustainable development and environmental protection in Pakistan
Pakistan is facing challenges in achieving sustainable development and environmental protection, mainly due to factors like population growth, limited resources, and weak institutional and regulatory frameworks. The country is particularly vulnerable to climate change, and although it has taken some steps to address it, more needs to be done. Biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss and pollution, and protected areas are poorly managed. Air pollution remains a significant issue, and enforcement of measures to address it is weak. Pakistan is also experiencing a water crisis due to poor management of resources, and waste management remains a major challenge. Effective implementation of policies and regulations, as well as increased public awareness and participation, is necessary to achieve sustainable development in Pakistan.
Sustainable development requires long-term thinking and planning for its proper execution
Sustainable development requires long-term thinking and planning to achieve its goals. This approach is necessary due to the complex challenges that sustainable development seeks to address, such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Long-term thinking and planning can help to identify sustainable outcomes, encourage stakeholder participation, maximize resource efficiency, and create a shared vision for sustainable development. Ultimately, a long-term perspective is essential for creating a sustainable future that benefits both current and future generations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sustainable development is a concept that emphasizes the importance of balancing economic, social, and environmental concerns to achieve long-term sustainability. The goals of sustainable development include economic development, social well-being, environmental protection, and governance and partnership. Sustainable development is often associated with protecting the environment because it recognizes that environmental degradation can have negative impacts on economic and social well-being in the long run. Therefore, sustainable development aims to promote economic growth and development that is equitable and inclusive, while also taking into account the long-term impacts on the environment and natural resources. It is essential to pursue sustainable development to ensure that we meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
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