Sustainable development refers to a pattern of development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The concept emerged prominently in the Brundtland Commission Report (1987) and has since become central to environmental economics and policy discourse. It integrates three interdependent dimensions—economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection—often described as the three pillars of sustainability. The idea recognizes that unchecked economic expansion can degrade natural resources, leading to long-term ecological imbalance and social inequality, thereby undermining future welfare. In environmental economics, sustainable development is understood as the efficient and equitable allocation of resources over time, ensuring that the stock of natural capital—such as forests, water, soil, and biodiversity—is not depleted beyond its regenerative capacity. The concept emphasizes intergenerational equity, which implies that present generations have a moral and economic responsibility to preserve the environment and resource base for future generations. It also involves intragenerational equity, ensuring fair distribution of resources and opportunities among people living today. One important perspective on sustainable development is the weak sustainability perspective. According to this view, natural capital and human-made capital are considered largely substitutable. Proponents argue that as long as the total stock of capital—comprising both natural and manufactured capital—remains