Sustainable development focuses on balancing our human need for technology and economic progress on the one hand, and protecting our environment on the other.
Its goal is therefore to meet our contemporary needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
In other words, sustainable development involves finding an ideal balance between different interests. All development that contributes technologically, economically, ecologically, politically or socially to a healthy earth with prosperous inhabitants and functioning ecosystems is sustainable.
The United Nations has drawn up an ambitious plan to address the most critical issues facing the world:: the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs for short. These 17 SDGs represent a plan of action to increase peace and prosperity, to eradicate poverty, hunger and inequality, and ultimately to protect the planet by 2030. The plan is recognised worldwide as a crucial step toward the future sustainability of the world.
Standards contribute to all 17 SDGs. They support the three pillars of sustainable development: economic prosperity, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.
Standards help you Organisation play an important role in achieving the SDGs. You can find them on our standards platform.