AbstractThis article seeks to integrate the population‐environment and sustainable development debates within an integrative approach to sustainability. Reference is made to both global and Australian situations. Common constructions of the debates are briefly critiqued. These issues are addressed via an integrative approach to sustainability, which is described through definitions that differentiate sustainability and sustainable development, and a set of principles that support these definitions. The principles include: extending temporal and spatial scales, appreciation of pervasive ignorance and uncertainty, the need for long term social and ecological goals, and greater cognisance of consumption (demand) aspect