This paper presents the historical policies and thought processes in sustainable development. The objective is to increase understanding, clarify trends, attitudes to change, policies and political frameworks. From post-war economic development to social justice and equitable human development, sustainable development has been debated for years. In order to achieve clarification the paper focuses on sustainable livelihoods and well-being, and long term environmental sustainability. Those who defend sustainable development agree that social change is needed, the difficult part is having consensus on the ways that change is created. Terminology is often used with different meanings, and consensus is a need to achieve equitable and environmental action.