Policy Brief: Advancing sustainable development

What is sustainable development and why is it important? Most people support the idea of sustainable development, but without fully understanding what it is. Most would agree that it implies a better balance between economic, environmental and social goals, and greater fairness in distributing the gains from growth among people and countries. It also concerns preserving the environment and natural resources as a basis for progress. And it means making policy decisions which are in the interest of future generations.

But how can governments achieve all that and, more importantly, measure whether they are making progress? The OECD bears special responsibility for leadership in sustainable development due to the influence and impacts of its member countries on the global economy, environment and society. The OECD also brings together in one Organisation expertise in all relevant areas, from environment to economics to social affairs to trade.

Indeed, the OECD has worked to incorporate sustainable development perspectives into its work since the notion was introduced in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED).

But defining, measuring and implementing sustainable development has proven to be a tough task. The OECD has carried out several programmes on sustainable development involving expertise across a range of topics. It has introduced analysis of sustainability in its work on sectors such as energy, agriculture and transport. It has sponsored workshops and discussions on measuring sustainable development and formulating related frameworks and indicators. And it has included sustainable development chapters in its peer reviews of OECD countries.

This Policy Brief looks at progress towards sustainable development in the OECD and its member countries, and at what more can be done to advance sustainable development in the Organisation’s work and policy discussions.