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可持续发展
kě chí xù fā zhǎn
sustainable development
我们需要推动可持续发展，保护环境。
We need to promote sustainable development to protect the environment.
formal
Economic and social development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
联合国提出了17个可持续发展目标。
The United Nations has set 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
企业应当在可持续发展中承担社会责任。
Companies should bear social responsibility in sustainable development.
Often abbreviated as 'SD' in policy documents. The concept was formalized in the 1987 Brundtland Report.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
In Chinese media, '可持续发展' often appears in government reports or corporate sustainability statements. Pay attention to modifiers like '经济' (economic), '环境' (environmental), or '社会' (social) to understand the specific focus.
Gold Rule
Three Pillars of Sustainability
Remember that sustainable development balances three key aspects: economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection. This is often called the 'triple bottom line'.
Word Origin
The term originated from the 1987 Brundtland Report ('Our Common Future') by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development. '可持续' (kěchíxù) means 'sustainable' (可: can; 持: hold; 续: continue), and '发展' (fāzhǎn) means 'development'.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in policy-making, environmental science, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports. The phrase emphasizes balancing economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection.
Word Breakdown
可
can; able to
root持续
sustain; continue
compound发展
development; growth
root汉英词典