Final answer:
Robert Repeto's definition of sustainable development emphasizes the importance of environmental assets and their proper accounting, whereas the World Commission's definition provided by the Brundtland Commission is broader, stressing the balance between economic development, environmental protection, and social equity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definitions of sustainable development provided by Robert Repeto and the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), also known as the Brundtland Commission, differ primarily in their scope and emphasis. Robert Repeto, an environmental economist, focused on the importance of accounting for environmental assets in his definition. He argued that sustainable development must include maintaining the value of these assets over time, which necessitates proper environmental accounting to prevent their depletion.
In contrast, the Brundtland Commission's definition, as presented in the Our Common Future report from 1987, is broader and more centered on the concept of 'meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' This definition emphasizes the need for a balance between economic development, environmental protection, and social equity, aiming for a more integrated approach to development.