Environmental management system EMS and sustainable development

Environmental management has moved on to embrace the concept of Sustainable Development. The 1987 World Commission on Environment/ Development under the guidance of Gro Harlem Brundtland (Prime Minister of Norway) made Sustainable Development the theme of its entire report called Our Common Future. It defined Sustainable Development as development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In the UK in the mid-1990s the Department of Trade and Industry (DU) modified the definition to development which ensures a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come.  

In fact it is not surprising that most of the wealthy or developed countries around the world have good environmental records because they can afford to treat the environment with respect. There are of course some exceptions. The key is to move from situations where the Earth s resources 

But it is not all bad news. Good examples can be foxmd in global industries and small companies. The 2001 Queen s Award for Sustainable Development recognises large companies such as Kodak Limited and smaller ones for their environmental responsibility.  

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