Brundtland Commission

Definition

The Brundtland Commission, officially known as the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), was established in 1983 by the United Nations to address growing concerns about environmental degradation and its impacts on development. It is best known for its 1987 report, 'Our Common Future,' which introduced the concept of sustainable development, integrating economic, social, and environmental considerations into development practices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Brundtland Commission was chaired by former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland and sought to bridge the gap between environmental sustainability and economic growth.
2. The commission's 1987 report emphasized that environmental issues are closely tied to social equity and economic policies, highlighting that sustainable development is essential for addressing global challenges.
3. The concept of sustainable development proposed by the Brundtland Commission became a cornerstone for future international discussions and policies on environmental and developmental issues.
4. The commission's work laid the foundation for subsequent global initiatives, including the Earth Summits in Rio de Janeiro (1992) and Johannesburg (2002), which continued to promote sustainable development goals.
5. The Brundtland Commission helped catalyze awareness of global issues such as climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, encouraging nations to work together towards common solutions.

Review Questions

• How did the Brundtland Commission redefine the relationship between economic development and environmental sustainability?
  • The Brundtland Commission redefined the relationship between economic development and environmental sustainability by introducing the concept of sustainable development, emphasizing that both must coexist for long-term progress. It highlighted that environmental degradation negatively impacts social equity and economic stability. By proposing an integrated approach that considers economic growth alongside environmental protection, the commission laid out a framework that encourages nations to adopt more holistic strategies in their development plans.
• Discuss the impact of the Brundtland Commission's report on subsequent global environmental policies and initiatives.
  • The impact of the Brundtland Commission's report was profound, as it set the stage for subsequent global environmental policies and initiatives. Its emphasis on sustainable development influenced key agreements such as Agenda 21 during the 1992 Earth Summit. The report also raised awareness of critical issues like climate change and prompted international cooperation on these challenges. As a result, many countries began integrating sustainability into their national policies and committing to long-term environmental goals.
• Evaluate how the principles established by the Brundtland Commission continue to shape contemporary discussions around sustainability and development.
  • The principles established by the Brundtland Commission continue to shape contemporary discussions around sustainability and development by serving as a foundational framework for understanding complex global issues. Today, discussions about climate change, poverty reduction, and resource management often reference sustainable development as a guiding principle. Furthermore, organizations like the United Nations have built upon these ideas with initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which reflect a commitment to balancing economic growth with social equity and environmental stewardship in today's interconnected world.

Related terms

Sustainable Development: A development approach that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection.

Agenda 21: A comprehensive action plan adopted at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) that outlines strategies for sustainable development at local, national, and global levels.

Rio Declaration:

A set of principles for sustainable development agreed upon at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which emphasizes human rights, environmental protection, and the importance of public participation in decision-making.