This book takes a careful look at the concept of sustainable development. What does it mean? How is it affected by production, consumption and globalisation? How it can be measured, and what can be done to promote it? The OECD produces data, research and policy recommendations on many issues related to sustainable development, including climate change, co-operation with developing countries and corporate social responsibility. OECD Insights: Sustainable Development draws on that expertise. It argues that to be sustainable, development has to be based on progress in three areas at once: the economy, society and the environment.

1. At the Crossroads
-By way of introduction...
-How are we doing?
-Clouds on the horizon?
-What this book is about...
2. What is Sustainable Development?
-By way of introduction...
-Defining sustainable development
-The three pillars of sustainable development
-Trade-offs
-Sustainable development: process or end result?
3. Challenges of a Global World
-By way of introduction...
-Going global: an old process on a new scale
-Closing the development gap sustainably
-Going forward
4. The Future is Now
-By way of introduction...
-A fair share between generations
-Learning to be sustainable: what tools do we have?
-Now is the time to act
-Planning for the future
-Tackling the 'superstar' issue: climate change and our future
-Educating ourselves for a sustainable future
5. Production and Consumption
-By way of introduction...
-The material society
-Two sides of the same coin
-What's the real price and who pays?
-What's the government going to do about it?
-What's next?
6. Measuring Sustainability
-By way of introduction...
-Measuring sustainability: what should we count and when?
-The global dimension
-Assessing sustainability
-What constitutes the good life?
7. Government and Civil Society
-By way of introduction...
-Making changes
-Citizens, civil society and progress
-What is the role of government?
-National strategies: putting sustainable development to work in governments
-What works?
-The governance of uncertainty
References