Post 2015 Development Agenda: A Pragmatic Perspective for Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development (SD), defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs; is perhaps the most malleable phrase in English. The importance of this concept and the sincerity of collective human commitment towards a sustainable planet are underpinned by the fact that it continues to remain in limelight since the Brundtland report in 1987. Today, SD is an almost nonnegotiable objective of a vast majority of developmental programs. Despite scientific understanding of the challenges of SD and huge financial investments incurred, mankind continues to adopt a less enlightened course. It implies, either the concept, or our understanding of it is abstract. The author presses for a paradigm shift in our perception and presents a pragmatic definition of SD, which can effectively be used to achieve tangible outcomes in our efforts towards sustainability.

The notion of SD as conveyed by the Brundtland definition, apparently presumes human capability to be a constant across generations. This is erroneous. It overlooks the established evidence of heterosis of man and discounts the role of technology in contemporary human evolution. Technological development has provided directionality to human history. Accumulation of information helps each generation to begin from a technologically different and advanced starting plane than its predecessor. The exponential rate of growth of technology makes available, significantly superior know how and skills across generations, which we bank upon to face stiffer challenges. 

Whilst scientific commune campaigns for changes in human resource consumption pattern, public administrators prefer intensive exogenous programs to gradual endogenic processes in order to develop successful case studies of sustainability. These are contrary to prevailing social evolutionary force and recognize sustainability as an objective, than a desired state. Together, they render the concept, elusive. 

Prospects of technology mediated sustainability options, to anticipate, plan and prioritize actions, is an indispensable component that need be accounted while ascertaining human capabilities. It necessitates a radical shift in perception of the malleable phrase. The idea of SD is better conveyed when stated as progressive, evolutionary transition of society that ensures perpetual sufficiency of natural capital for sustenance of all living organisms within the biosphere. Practical utility of the above statement enhances, when applied to a specific population or region, than the conventional notion of entire humanity.

Acknowledging temporal progression creates space to accommodate increasing inter-generational human capacity and does away with the call to alter lifestyle, which was the obstinate impediment in sustaining sustainability initiatives. However, it puts a rider that progression should ensure sufficiency of natural capital. This will stir more research and development on sustainable alternatives within each society or region than buy them as recommendations or products off-the-shelf. Localized initiatives are analogous to teaching societies to fish collectively, than consume fish caught elsewhere. More importantly, this perception renders sustainability a consequence while identifying tangible physical items, the goals.