Models of sustainability and sustainable development

Abstract

This paper proposes a general model of sustainability, which offers a comprehensive theoretical framework integrating ecological, economic and social aspects of sustainability. The model exhibits the underlying ethical principles, broad goals and measurable objectives. It contains as special cases the more limited models of the ''Natural Step'' and the ''Australian Ecologically Sustainable Development'' process. The model also has a strategy for implementation of ecologically sustainable development. This strategy comprises six steps to ESD, based on the multifaceted approach developed for health promotion under the Ottawa Charter, supplemented by some of the ''Bellagio Principles''.