Initially the paper will explore the concept, evolution and utility of Sustainable Development in the broad context of its links to the EIA process by predicting in advance decisions being made attempts to balance the needs of environmental, economic and social objectives. The paper then considers how an evolving and improved EIA process and in particular with the emphasis increasingly riving from projects to polieies, plans and programmes, can provide q framework to operationalise Sustainable Development with the focus on cumulative impacts, making EIA "problem focussed" and linking policy, environmental planning and assessment. The paper then reviews some of the practical EIA tools and methods that can support the practical application of more susk inable forms of development. The paper concludes by considering the follow ups that are now occurring after the Reo Sumit and suggests that has a Key and powerful role to play in this process, whether at an institutional prettiest policy level.