Which concept focuses on balancing economic growth with environmental protection?

The concept that focuses on balancing economic growth with environmental protection is sustainable development. Sustainable development is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This principle emphasizes the idea that development should be conducted in a way that promotes economic growth while managing and preserving natural resources and ecosystems.

Sustainable development recognizes that economic activities often have impacts on the environment, and thus, it seeks to integrate economic, social, and environmental considerations into decision-making processes. This approach encourages practices that lead to long-term sustainability, such as using renewable energy, implementing efficient resource use, and ensuring that economic activities are sustainable over the long run.

In contrast, other concepts, while related, do not explicitly encapsulate this balance. Eco-sustainability typically relates to the sustainability of ecological systems, environmental integrity focuses primarily on maintaining the health of the environment itself, and ecosystem services refer to the benefits humans receive from ecosystems. While these concepts are important in the broader context of environmental management, they do not directly address the integration of economic growth and environmental protection to the same extent as sustainable development does.