Moreover, its quality may be greatly affected by the rising population while the available quantity does not increase and, in many parts of the planet, it is already insufficient. This implies the assumption that natural resources are finite (quantity) and limited in the possibilities for their use (quality).įreshwater may be the most valuable resource but it is most certainly an indispensable one and demand for it increases with population and its level of development. The term “sustainable development” refers to economic and social development enabling current needs to be met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, as defined in the “Brundtland report” submitted to the United Nations General Assembly in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development. It links the three fundamental aspects of economic, social and environmental aspects in such a way that economic development, combined with evolving technologies and social organization, guarantees a certain level of social well-being that is compatible with environmental conservation.