Abstract

The rapid pace of economic development of modern societies contributes to the environmental and social risks. Excessive exploitation of natural resources of the Earth needed to ensure the production processes intensifies the negative impact of manufacturing enterprises on the environment and is the cause of social problems. The global socio-environmental threats mentioned are forcing the international community to take action to deal with the existing issue of the modern world. The answer to the threats is the sustainable development, whose ideas reflect respect for the environment and social aspects in order to provide opportunities for the development of future generations while ensuring the achievement of the objectives of economic enterprises. The essence of this paper are the social and environmental aspects of sustainable development. The paper presents the main social problems of modern humanity. It indicates, inter alia, rapid population growth of the Earth inhabitants and the consumerist attitude of societies. The remaining part of the paper presents environmental problems. The major environmental threats our planet are listed. The final part of the paper includes a summary.