Sumaira Khan

Sustainable development involves adopting practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Practically, this means integrating economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social equity into policies and practices. For example, in agriculture, sustainable development can be achieved through methods like crop rotation, organic farming, and conservation tillage, which enhance soil health, reduce chemical use, and increase biodiversity. In urban planning, it might involve developing green spaces, promoting public transportation, and using energy-efficient building materials to reduce carbon footprints and enhance quality of life. Businesses can contribute by adopting sustainable supply chains, reducing waste, and investing in renewable energy. These practices not only protect natural resources but also ensure long-term economic viability and social well-being, creating a balanced and resilient society.

Let's figure it out! Development is a process. Every process has a purpose. Therefore, sustainable development is a process of moving towards achieving a certain goal.

Now let's move on to the goal.

The purpose of the development of technical facilities is determined by the engineer. Consequently, the sustainable development of a technical facility is determined by the operating conditions and compliance with its technical parameters.

The purpose of the development of social objects, for example, human society, depends on the context.

In the first context, the goal of sustainable development depends on economic, environmental, social and ideological factors. The basis of the population of each state is a special (deep) people. The culture of each deep people interprets the understanding of the meaning of sustainable development and the normative content of its factors in different ways. Therefore, in this context, the main practical consequences of sustainable development are: appeals, declarations, discussions and social conflicts.

In the second context, the goal of sustainable development is determined by the meaning of the organizational concept of the planet. Within the framework of this concept, human society is a special functional ensemble, the same as functional ensembles of plants, animals, etc. In this context, the goal of the development of society is objective. This goal is to ensure that human activity on the planet does not destroy, but supports the development of all other functional ensembles of the planet. Such activities should be associated with sustainable development. Therefore, in this context, the main practical consequences of sustainable development are: the formation of the foundations of a universal worldview, determining the characteristics and parameters of the current stage of human development and setting up mechanisms for planning, forecasting and managing current development in accordance with its objective purpose.

You can read more about this in the paper: Mokiy, V.S., & Lukyanova, T.A. (2022). Sustainable development of nature and society in the context of a systems transdisciplinary paradigm. Transdisciplinary Journal of Engineering & Science, 13, Special Issue on Complex Resilience and Sustainability. Transdisciplinary Perspectives, In G. del Cerro Santamaría (Ed.), 15-35. https://doi.org/10.22545/2022/00192

Our suggestions for the practical and policy implications of sustainable development:

1. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8959-2_2

2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imic.2015.04.001

3. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-02-2017-0043