Sustainable Development and Regulation

This section has set the scene principally in the European arena on the relationship between the desire for sustainable development and the broad regulatory means by which governments pursue their objectives for sustainable development in a market economy. It has also highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of different tools and how these can help or hinder sustainable development. The next section examines what these authors judge to be the likely challenges and trends in the future for the environmental aspects of sustainable development and regulation. 

Based on the notion of sustainable development as a regulative idea outlined above, the link between sustainable development and education can be summarized as follows. Sustainable development is part and parcel of a general educational task, aimed at empowering the young generation to design their conditions of life on a more humane scale. It is based on an educational notion, which focuses on humans self-development and self-determination as they interact with, and reflect on, the world, with others, and with themselves. Education relates to the ability to contribute to the design of society in a reflected and responsible manner in terms of sustainable future development. 

F. Rauch, Education for sustainability A regulative idea and trigger for innovation, in Key Issues in Sustainable Development and Learning A Critical Review, ed. W. Scott and S. Gough, RoudlegeFalmer, London, 2004, pp.149-151. 

F. Rauch, What do regulative ideas in education for sustainable development and scientific literacy as myth have in common in Contemporary Science Education - Implications from Science Education Research about Orientations, Strategies and Assessment, ed. I. Eilks and B. Ralle, Shaker, Aachen,2010,pp.35-46. 

If we now consider prototypical chemistry-related issues from the debate about sustainable development and green chemistry many of them meet these criteria. Chemistry-related issues of sustainable development, like a more intense production and use of alternative fuels or bioplastics, are discussed in mass media. Regulations on their use will potentially have an impact on the students consumer choices. The use of alternative fuels or bioplastics is still controversial pro and con arguments are given in societal debate and can be used in students open debate. And, finally, these issues are definitely questions of chemistry and technology corresponding arguments are used in public debate. 

Rauch, F. (2004). Education for sustainability A regulative idea Mid bigger for innovation. In W. Scott S. Gough (eds.). Key issues in sustainable development and learning A critical review (pp. 149-151). London Roudlege Falmer. 

The EEA was set up as a legally independent community body under council regulation (EEC) 1210/90. The EEA s core task is to provide decisionmakers with the information needed for making sound and effective policies to protect the environment and support sustainable development. 

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