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Key definition
Sustainable definition

What does Sustainable mean? In legal practice, sustainable describes policies, projects, procurement and investments that meet present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs, by conserving finite resources, preventing environmental harm and balancing social and economic factors. There is no single statutory definition of sustainable across England & Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. The term is descriptive and applied within specific regimes, including: planning and environmental law (objectives of sustainable development; EIA/SEA), public sector duties (for example, the Well‑being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 sustainable development principle), and corporate/finance regulation (green claims and disclosure). In Ireland, usage is likewise descriptive, but certain EU...

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Sustainable development indicators and the UN SDGs: definitions, implementation and monitoring frameworks, business engagement, and legal practice implications

Practice notes
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Defining sustainable development

The scope and meaning of sustainable development remain hotly contested. Many descriptions draw upon variations of the renowned Brundtland definition and the three pillars model, often referred to as the triple bottom line of sustainability. Yet, in the absence of a uniform methodology, it is hard to determine how to deliver sustainable development, or to know exactly when, if at all, it has been realised. For detailed definitions of sustainable development, consult these Practice Notes:

  • Sustainable development—definition and application at international level
  • Sustainable development—definition and application at European Union (EU) level
  • Sustainable development—definition and application at UK level

Sustainability indicators

Sustainability indicators offer a means to gauge—or at least to approximate—progress towards the policy objective of sustainable development.

Origin

After the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992, states were encouraged to establish their own sets of sustainable development indicators (SDIs) designed to:

  • align with their individual national circumstances and priorities, and
  • aim ultimately at creating self‑regulating, integrated sustainable systems

Agenda 21 likewise advocated the development of an international...

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Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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