Explaining ESD
Explaining Ecologically Sustainable Development
Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD), or sustainable development (SD) as it is more widely known in the world, is a dynamic concept that recognises the need to integrate short and long-term economic, social and environmental aspects into the management of all of our activities. ESD therefore represents a fundamental shift in public policy because it affects all government departments and agencies to some degree.
Whilst ESD has been policy of all Australian governments for nearly 10 years, activities to begin effective implementation and demonstrate progress have increased substantially since 2000.