Most people in upper income countries enjoy a high material standard of living, but this is not sustainable in global terms because of their excessive consumption of natural resources. Upper income countries are thus challenged to find ways to maintain their quality of life whilst reducing excessive consumption to sustainable levels, as well as providing significant assistance to poorer countries. Lower-income countries are severely challenged to level off rapid population growth rates and prevent further destruction of renewable resources in order to become sustainable. Both strategies may require broad ranging cross-sectoral approaches, such as national development strategy adjustments, in order to achieve effective results.
This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.