A Comparison of Natural and Man-Made Capital in Asia Using the Lens of Sustainable Development

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Khataniar, Bandana

Affiliations: Independent Researcher, IIT Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, Email: [email protected]

Abstract: Institutions play an important role in implementing the guidelines for achieving sustainable development at the national level. The Bruntland definition of sustainable development serves as a guideline to solve challenges politically. Although economy, environment and society are the three most important pillars of sustainable development, present discussions hardly take all three together. This may be a solution at the local level, but global challenges are ignored thereof. The Bruntland definition talks about primary dimensions: ecological sustainability, basic needs, and equity. Equity can further be divided into intragenerational equity and intergenerational equity. To see whether developing countries presently meet these four sustainability dimensions, ten Asian countries are selected in this study. As an assessment method, the approach called “sustainable development space” is adopted. Based on the selected sustainability indicators, three sustainability spaces are formed. It is observed that no country meets altogether the four of sustainability dimensions, except Indonesia. However, the study discusses that the goal is not unachievable; the changes which are necessary to achieve sustainable development are socially anticipated, within country’s scope and are rational in the context of existing situation and projected fluctuations in future.

Keywords: Human Development, Equity, Sustainable Development, Ecological Footprint, Renewable Energy

DOI: 10.3233/RED-200103

Journal: Journal of Resources, Energy and Development, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 19-32, 2023