Introduction

The developmental projects, carried out by the human in the various economic, social, cultural and political areas, have brought about a lot of changes to and adverse effects on the environment. In response to these harms and environmental risks, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) has been held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. This conference, dubbed the “Earth Summit,” was attended by a large number of the world leaders.

What Is Sustainable Development?

Although there is no consensus on its definition, sustainable development could be defined as the rational management of the available natural resources, in such a manner ensuring economic and social prosperity, as well as meeting the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.

Basics and Elements of Sustainable Development:

Sustainable development is based on two fundamental rights: the right of development, and the right of environment protection; both of which are deemed to be of the basic human rights. The most important elements of sustainable development are:

1. Man, who is the first in charge of such responsibility entrusted to him by his Creator.
2. Nature, with all its resources created by Allah for the benefit of human beings, and which need to be exploited unceasingly.
3. Technology, which means the use of scientific knowledge in the utilization of environmental resources, solving problems, and overcoming dangers.

Objectives of Sustainable Development:

Sustainable development is meant to achieve, through its mechanisms and agencies, several objectives, including:

1. Improving the national management of natural resources, in such wise and rational manner that ensures a better life for all society segments.
2. Showing respect for the natural environment, by means of ensuring a balanced relationship between human activities on the one hand, and natural resources on the other hand, in a manner that restrains bad exploitation of such resources; meanwhile raising the environmental awareness amid the population, and promoting the individual sense of responsibility with regard to environmental problems.
3. Including the environmental planning into all development planning phases, in an endeavor to materialize rational, farsighted exploitation of natural resources, rather than wasting or destroying them.
4. Using the modern technology in such a manner that achieves the society’s goals, and collecting enough environmental-related basic information, enabling the proper development planning.
5. Keeping the public informed of the challenges facing them in various fields to ensure the effective public participation.
6. Placing particular emphasis on the natural phenomena at risk; be they agricultural land prone to desertification, water sources prone to depletion, pollution, or random urban growth.

Health indicators of sustainable development:

Sustainable development indicators contribute to assessing to what extent countries and institutions are capable of realizing the sustainable development objectives. These indicators revolve around the UN recommendations for the 21st Century Agenda, including proper health care for all society members, especially those in the remote, peripheral and rural areas, as well as controlling the endemic and epidemic diseases caused by environmental pollution (life expectancy, maternal and child mortality rates, and primary health care.)​