This article is developed to provide an overview of SD and why it is important and to provoke forward thinking on the development of a more coherent approach to solving global problems related to sustainability. In doing so, a holistic approach is used to critically examine the inter-relationship between the natural, the governmental, the economic and the social dimensions of our world and how science and technology can contribute to solutions. A framework for understanding and acting upon these solutions will be presented, taking into account a variety of international, institutional and intellectual perspectives. The paper seeks to address growing concerns for the future of our interlocked ecological, political and economic systems in a highly populated world that is characterised by major social and economic disparities. The paper will therefore explore viewpoints from around the world on issues relating to globalization, investment, competitiveness, Information and Communication Technologies and SD. The author argues that it is essential that research and policy development fully takes account of the differing perspectives of SD and make explicit the particular perspective(s) that they are taking. No single definition necessarily fully captures the concept, but by being clear about our meaning of the concept and the underlying assumptions, we can progress our understanding of our common future challenges and their relationships to SD.

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