Sustainable Societies

Decision-making

In light of such global concerns as climate change and world population growth, a unified approach to the world's challenges is needed, yet decision-making processes vary due to differences in social, cultural and environmental conditions. Sustainable development requires new ways of making public policy decisions," including changes in institutional and legal frameworks on an international level, "national sustainable development strategies," and improved information systems to support decision-making. Strategies must aim at blending various economic, social and environmental policies and plans, requiring a more integrated approach to economic, social, and environmental problems. Lopsided access to technologies also poses problems for equitable public policymaking as it enables some to make informed decisions while others cannot.