Sustainability and Equity - Concepts

Sustainability and Equity - Concepts

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1. Sustainability and Equity
Each of these have two sides- Normative and Descriptive
Normative because , each states a desirable goal or criteria for evaluation
Descriptive because, each can be empirically observed / or measured

2. Each are lined and has both - ends and means

3. Equity - implies a better distribution of assets, opportunities, capabilities and enhancement of most deprived
Minimum definition of equity of water requirement must include adequate per capita water needed based on certain standards ( which are logical and rational)( ENDS)
Equity in access to water resources ( MEANS) are a precondition for gaining adequate and minimum water requirement.

4. Sustainability- Bruntland definition .
Has three broad components- Environment, Financial and Social
Environment Sustainability- preserving finite resources with long term view and not wasteful and polluting practices by growing urbanisation

Financial Sustainability - Sustainable financing of the project.

Social Sustainability - ability to maintain and improve livelihood by enhancing local and global assets and capabilities.
Negative side - Not able to cope up with stress, shocks ( From Sustainable Livelihood Approach)

Water dimension
Sustainability - of sources of water resources ( STOCK) is an END in itself.
Usage of water resources for future generation ( FLOW) is a means

In terms of resource productivity, actual practices of farmers, poor in rural are more sustainable with traditional usage of tanks, lakes etc for water requirement.

Critics
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Equity in access to water resources by no means assures Sustainability resource use without good regulation for resource management and exploitation. ( Compared to Tragedy of Commons)