The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) was established by the United Nations in 1983 to address the growing concerns about environmental degradation and sustainable development. The commission aimed to unite global efforts to promote sustainable practices that balance economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection. In 1987, the WCED released the influential report titled "Our Common Future," which introduced the concept of sustainable development. This report emphasized the need for countries to work together to ensure that development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.