Sustainable development: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Three parts of sustainable development
Economic
Incomes and jobs that can last.
Social
Health, education and fairness for all.
Environmental
Forests, water, fish stocks and a stable climate kept for the future.
The points to remember
- Define it like this: "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
- Sustainability is about resources lasting.
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Economic growth can work against sustainability, or for it.
How growth can harm it
- Forests cleared and fish stocks run down for output now.
- More factories and cars: more pollution and emissions.
- Benefits for some, costs for future generations.
How growth can help it
- Higher incomes pay for clean energy and water.
- New technology cuts pollution per unit.
- Tax revenue funds schools, health and protection of nature.
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Paper 2 asked this in November 2023 and May 2025, as part (g) for 15 marks.
Text A reports that Rensava's real GDP grew by about 7% a year as forests were cleared for palm oil plantations and mining expanded.
Using information from the text/data and your knowledge of economics, discuss whether economic growth conflicts with environmental sustainability in Rensava.
Model answer plan
See the answer broken into clear points, with guidance on how each point earns marks.
How the 15 marks are given
| Marks | What your answer needs |
|---|---|
| 13–15 | Theory fully explained, terms right all the way through, balanced evaluation, real examples fully developed to support the argument |
| 10–12 | Theory explained, terms mostly right, evaluation mostly balanced, real examples developed |
| 7–9 | Theory partly explained, some evaluation but one-sided, examples partly developed |
| 4–6 | Theory only described, evaluation superficial, examples only named |
| 1–3 | Theory stated but not relevant, no evaluation |