Updated on Thursday, October 26, 2006, 00:00 IST

Washington, Oct 26: A report published by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) claims that the only country in the world with "sustainable development" is Cuba.

The WWF includes in its report a graph, which shows two features -- the Human Development Index (established by the united nations) and the so-called "ecological footprint" which shows the per person energy and resources consumed in each country.

Surprisingly, only Cuba has passed in both areas, which is enough to be designated a country that "meets the minimum sensitivity criteria".

The study's authors credit the high level of literacy, long life expectancy and low consumption of energy for this success. The authors also claim that Latin America is the region that leads in sustainable development.

That generalisation is a little bit far-fetched, however, comments alternative US website vivirlatino.Com.

"For 20 years we've lived our lives in a way that far exceeds the carrying capacity of the earth," said Carter S Roberts, president and CEO of World Wildlife Fund on presenting the report.

The living planet report 2006 was released globally Monday from Beijing, China, and carries data indices which indicate the earth's well-being.