The economy and the environment in debate: limits and potential for a new scenario for sustainable development and objectives

Abstract

Objective: This article is a theoretical essay that presents the limits and potential of the economy in internalizing social and environmental costs, in order to try to recover the reflections on the discussion of the relationship between the economy, the environment and sustainable development. Method: In terms of methodological aspects, the research is classified as a bibliographical study, in which the source of data was obtained through secondary data, periodicals, books and other documents, the aim of which was to seek a deeper discussion of sustainable development. Results: For a long time in human history, economics has sought to achieve the status of a science through mathematical models. However, economics is immersed in the social dimension and the environmental dimension, as it uses natural resources as an input for the production process and human activities. Conclusions: In addition, it presents the trajectory of the concept of sustainable development and the accumulated contributions from world conferences to a reflection on eco-development as a new path for balanced economic growth. This essay points out that it is possible to establish an intersection between the environmental, social and economic dimensions in promoting innovative dynamics of development and sustainability, as pointed out in Rifkin's experience of the Third Industrial Revolution, the ONU contribution to contemporary times with the 2030 Agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the whole of international society.