Following the environmental movement in the 70s, the concept of sustainable development (sd) appears in the main forums (international organizations, governments, academia, media) during and after the 80’s. The Brundtland Report, Agenda 21 and the United Nations conference (Stockholm, Rio, Johannesburg, Rio+20) are examples of documents and structuring moments in the formulation of the concept. Under these international guidelines have been suggested or implemented strategies of public policies, such as the EU strategy for the ds, the National Strategy for Sustainable Development, the Local Agenda 21 and sectoral policies (tourism, eg). The promotion requires different actions depending on the geographic region of implementation, but efforts must necessarily pass through three major areas: environmental quality, social development and economic growth and equity.