Sustainable Development: Critical Issues

This report stresses the urgency to address some of the most pressing challenges for sustainable development. It reviews the conceptual foundations of sustainable development, its measurement, and the institutional reforms needed to make it operational. This report discusses how international trade and investment, as well as development co-operation, can contribute to sustainable development on a global basis, and reviews the experience of OECD countries in using market-based, regulatory and technology policies to reach sustainability goals in a cost-effective way.



The report also provides an in-depth analysis of policies designed to address key threats to sustainability in the areas of climate change and natural resource management, as well as of those that respond to sustainability concerns at the sectoral and sub-national level. The common thrust of the report is that substantial opportunities exist to make economic growth, environmental protection, and social development mutually reinforcing.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword
Table of contents
SECTION I. UNDERSTANDING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 1. Economic, Environmental and Social Trends
Chapter 2. Key Features and Principles
Chapter 3. Measurement
SECTION II. ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN OECD COUNTRIES
Chapter 4. Institutions and Decision Making
Chapter 5. Policy Instruments
Chapter 6. Technology
Chapter 7. Experience in OECD Countries
SECTION III. GLOBALISATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 8. International Trade and Investment
Chapter 9. Strategies for Non-member Countries
SECTION IV. CROSS SECTORAL ISSUES
Chapter 10. Natural Ressource Managment
Chapter 11. Climate Change
SECTION V. SECTORAL AND TERRITORIAL APPROACHES
Chapter 12. Energy
Chapter 13. Transport
Chapter 14. Agriculture
Chapter 15. Manufacturing
Chapter 16. Territorial Development
Annex 1. Glossary and Acronyms



Available in French - "Développement durable : Les grandes questions " :