European Sustainable Development Strategy

In the European Union the Marrakech process has led to a renewed European Sustainable Development Strategy, which identifies Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) as one of the key objectives to be achieved in the context of the European Union s commitment of sustainable development. SCP aims to promote sustainable consumption and production by addressing social and economic development within the carrying capacity of ecosystems and decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation. ... 

Following the revision of the European Sustainable Development Strategy in 2006, Member States reaffirmed their determination to promote sustainable transport with a series of measures concerning ... 

Giljum S, Hak T, Hinterberger F, Kovanda J (2005) Environmental governance in the European Union strategies and instruments for absolute decoupling. International Journal for Sustainable Development 8(1/2) 31-46 Hafner G, Jakl T, Loibl G (2002) Conference conclusions by the chairs. In Freytag E, Jakl T, Loibl G, Wittmann M (ed) The role of precaution in chemicals policy. Favorita Papers, Diplomatic Academy of Vienna... 

These concepts are also iterated in the 5th European Action Programme (CEC, 1992a) which states that "sustainable development implies putting in place a policy and strategy for continued economic and social development without detriment to the environment and the natural resources on which human activity depends". The EC s view on inputs to effective sustainable development are summarised in Figure 1. 

Sustainable growth is a conservative risk-averse strategy that is best understood in terms of the precautionary principle implicit in the process. This principle was first formerly affirmed by the European Union back in 1990 in its Bergen Declaration on Sustainable Development. It requires steps be taken to avoid or diminish serious or irreversible damage to the environment (or to human health) from human activities, if such damage is scientifically plausible but remains uncertain. 

Lehmann, Martin et al (2008) Problem-oriented and project-based learning (POPBL) as an innovative learning strategy for sustainable development in engineering education . In European Journal of Engineering Education, 33(3), 283-295. 

The double focus on both manufacturing activities and the life cycle of the products that are being manufactured is also found in the Sustainable Production element in the concept of Sustainable Production and Consumption that is being promoted by international institutions like United Nations (UNEP 2013) and the European Union (Council of the European Union 2008) as a central element in strategies for the development toward a sustainable society. 

According to the Lisbon Strategy, (a development plan put forward by the European Council in 2000), Europe aims to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion [2]. This plan was further stressed through the Barcelona objective in 2002, which stated that 3% of GDP [Gross Domestic Product] should be spent on research and development by 2010. Two thirds of this investment was to come from business, with the bulk of... 

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