Sustainability (2024)

FAQs

Sustainability? ›

The most often quoted definition comes from the UN World Commission on Environment and Development: “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations

In the broadest sense, sustainability refers to the ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time. In business and policy contexts, sustainability seeks to prevent the depletion of natural or physical resources, so that they will remain available for the long term.

Climate action: Acting now to stop global warming. Life below water: Avoiding the use of plastic bags to keep the oceans clean. Life on land: Planting trees to help protect the environment. Responsible consumption and production: Recycling items such as paper, plastic, glass and aluminum.

Sustainability is our society's ability to exist and develop without depleting all of the natural resources needed to live in the future. Sustainable development supports this long-term goal with the implementation of systems, frameworks, and support from global, national, and local entities.

Sustainable Lifestyles are considered as ways of living, social behaviors and choices, that minimize environmental degradation (use of natural resources, CO2 emissions, waste and pollution) while supporting equitable socio-economic development and better quality of life for all.

"To sustain" can mean to maintain, support, uphold, or endure. So sustainability is the ability to continue over a long period of time. In the past, sustainability referred to environmental sustainability. It meant using natural resources so that people in the future could continue to rely on them in the long term.

Sustainability is the idea that humans must interact with the environment in a way that ensures there will be enough resources left for future generations. There are now more than seven billion people on Earth. These billions of people use the planet's resources every day.

Sustainability is the balance between the environment, equity, and economy.

Recycling and reusing everyday items can help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. You can invest in reusable containers, purchase products with recyclable packaging, and repurpose your old items.

Sustainability means using natural resources in a way that we could keep doing for a long time. We can be more sustainable by reducing our use of natural resources. This is like taking less candy out of the jar. For example, you could ride a bike instead of driving, which uses less oil.

What are the basics of sustainability? ›

The concept of sustainability is often simplified as: people, planet, and profit. In business, these three areas are referred to as the “triple bottom line,“ a term coined by consultant, author, and sustainable business pioneer John Elkington in the 1990s.

Pollution, caused by human activity such as industrialization and urbanization, would continue to damage the environment and human health. Air and water pollution would lead to respiratory and heart disease, and toxic chemicals would contaminate soil and water, making them unfit for human consumption.

You're doing your part to save our planet

Not only will you make a significant and positive difference in tackling climate change, but you'll also pave the way for a better, more sustainable way of life – helping people now and in the future.

Sustainability refers to the ability to meet the current needs of society without compromising the future. In 1987, the United Nations' Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as, “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Save energy: switch to energy-efficient light bulbs and turn off appliances when you're not using them. Buy fair trade products to support fair wages for farmers and a higher quality of products. Recycle and reuse whatever you can. Once you get into the habit, it becomes second nature.

There are a number of different definitions of sustainability, but looking at the word etymologically, to 'sustain' means to keep something going or provide support. In this way, we can view sustainability as an approach to sustaining life and supporting the planet.

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Sustainability in business refers to a company's strategy and actions to reduce adverse environmental and social impacts resulting from business operations in a particular market. An organization's sustainability practices are typically analyzed against environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics.

The 3 principles of sustainability are environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and economic sustainability. These principles guide us in creating a balanced and sustainable future for our planet and its inhabitants.