Principles of Sustainability: A Compilation

The following sets of principles of sustainability are provided to stimulate discussion and critical discourse. They are listed in chronological order of their publication. Please consult the source references for a more complete overview. All rights of the original authors are reserved.

If you are aware of other sustainability principles or guideposts which do not appear here, please contact David T. Brown at dbrown@spartan.ac.brocku.ca.

Principles Defining Sustainable Development (OSEM 1989)

Six Principles of Sustainable Development (ORTEE 1992)

The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (UNCED 1992)

Guideposts for a Sustainable Future (Nickerson 1993)

IISD's Principles for Trade and Sustainable Development (Summary) (IISD 1994)

A Framework For Sustainable Development (CIDA 1994)

Environmental Principles for Corporations (Phyper and Ibbottson 1994)

The Natural Step: The Four System Conditions(Robert et al. 1994)

Sustainability Principles (ORTEE 1994)

Great Plains: Principles for Sustainability (IISD 1995)

Bellagio Principles: Guidelines for the Practical Assessment of Progress Toward Sustainable Development (Indicators)(IISD 1996)

Eight Principles for Sustainable Transportation (NRTEE 1996)

Earth Charter / The Earth Charter Consultation (Earth Council 1997)

Principles of Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development (Rockefeller 1997)