Some professional organizations, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers, have incorporated sustainable development principles in their code of ethics. Obstacles Obstacles to furthering science for environment and development involve funding, relationships between different disciplinary cultures, inequities between North and South, and difficulties in engaging the policy community. Research on sustainable development issues requires expertise from many different disciplines. Scientists with different backgrounds are still unaccustomed to working together. There is a shortage of developing country scientists and those that are available have inadequate participation in and inadequate access to decision-making processes.
Scientists are often unable to engage the policy community effectively.
Priorities Panellists outlined several priority areas. These address relationships within the scientific community, as well as those between that community, policy makers and the public. Multidisciplinary partnerships among natural scientists, social scientists and engineers are important for sustainable development. Women should play a larger role in science and technology endeavours. Regional and interregional cooperation is important for sustainable development.