The sustainable development area: satisfying basic needs and safeguarding ecological sustainability

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this article is to provide a simple and coherent framework for assessing the sustainability of present and future development policies. First, we present the major characteristics of the sustainability concept along three dimensions and suggest how these dimensions can be measured. Second, we construct a diagram, the sustainable development area, and employ data from 118 countries to evaluate the global situation with regard to sustainable development. Third, we outline three different approaches for reaching the sustainable development area and reflect on their possible implications. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.