ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by examining the nature of social policy as an academic subject. It argues that, even if social policy concerns are seen as restricted solely to the institutional arrangements for meeting needs through welfare services, there is a clear case for considering the environmental factors that can contribute to social disadvantage and for analysing the distributional effects of policies designed for environmental protection. Most interpretations of the concept of sustainable development recognize the importance of equity for achieving sustainability. An understanding of the linkages between social and environmental problems is essential if the goal of equitable access to resources and services for meeting needs is to be met.
