Intersections of Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development: Framing the Issues

Sumudu Atapattu
Carmen Gonzalez, Loyola University Chicago, Law School
Sara Seck

Abstract

This chapter proceeds as follows. Section 1.2 describes the evolution of the concept of sustainable development from the 1987 report of the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It discusses contem- porary degrowth and green growth movements, before introducing the relatively novel concept of just sustainabilities, a synthesis of environmental justice and sustainable development. Section 1.3 de!nes environmental justice and discusses its relationship to human rights and the social pillar of sustainable development, reflecting on which dimensions of environmental justice are well reflected in this book and which proved more dif!cult to address. Section 1.4 then provides an outline of the volume, and assesses limitations, challenges, and areas for further research.