- "Sustainable development is an organizing principle that aims to meet human development goals while also enabling natural systems to provide necessary natural resources and ecosystem services to humans."
This type of sustainability focuses on designing products and systems that are economically viable and sustainable over the long-term.
Environmental economics: The study of the impact of human activity on natural resources and the economy.
Resource depletion: The decrease in natural resources due to human activity and overuse.
Production methods: The process of creating products and services in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Energy efficiency: The use of energy-efficient products and practices to save both money and resources.
Climate change: The impact of human activity on the global climate and environment.
Green infrastructure: The use of natural systems to provide ecosystem services and improve sustainability.
Waste reduction: The minimization of waste produced by human activity.
Circular economy: The concept of designing products and services that can be reused and recycled in a closed loop.
Life cycle analysis: The study of the environmental impact of a product or service from production through disposal.
Sustainable agriculture: The use of farming practices that support the environment and human health.
Sustainable forestry: The management of forests in a way that balances economic and environmental benefits.
Sustainable fishing: The practice of catching fish in a way that maintains the population and the ecosystem.
Social sustainability: The consideration of social justice and equity in sustainable economic development.
Economic development: The process of improving the economy through sustainable practices.
Carbon footprint: The amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by an individual or organization.
Energy conservation: The practice of using less energy through energy-efficient practices and renewable energy sources.
Renewable energy: The use of energy sources that are replenished naturally, such as solar, wind, and hydropower.
Water conservation: The practice of using less water through conservation and efficient use.
Biodiversity: The variety of plant and animal species in an ecosystem, which is essential for a healthy environment.
Social enterprise: A business that operates to achieve social, environmental, and economic goals.
Environmental sustainability: This is the most commonly understood type of sustainability, which refers to the conservation and protection of natural resources and ecosystems. It involves reducing the impact of human activities on the environment while maintaining a balance between economic and environmental needs.
Social sustainability: This refers to the ability of a society to meet the basic needs of its people, such as access to food, housing, education, healthcare, and other essential services. It also involves promoting equity, social justice, and cultural diversity.
Economic sustainability: This involves maintaining a healthy and stable economy that is able to provide for the needs of both current and future generations. This includes ensuring stable and equitable economic growth, resource allocation and distribution, and effective economic policies that do not negatively impact the environment or society.
Cultural sustainability: This involves the preservation and promotion of diverse cultural identities, practices, and traditions. It includes preserving historical landmarks, arts and crafts, and cultural festivals, as well as promoting cultural exchange and appreciation.
Ethical sustainability: This involves the adoption of ethical principles and values in business and production processes, including fairness, transparency, and responsibility. It includes the protection of labor rights, human rights, and animal welfare, as well as ethical marketing and advertising practices.
Technological sustainability: This involves the responsible use, development, and diffusion of technology to achieve sustainability goals. It includes promoting the use of renewable energy, eco-friendly production processes, and the development of innovative technologies that can mitigate environmental impacts.
Political sustainability: This involves creating and implementing effective policies and governance structures that promote sustainability, including environmental, economic and social policies that are in the best interests of the community as a whole.
Physical sustainability: This refers to the efficient and sustainable use of resources and infrastructure, including energy, water, transportation, and waste management. It involves designing and implementing sustainable buildings and infrastructure that are energy-efficient, waste-reducing, and resilient to changing environmental conditions.
- "The desired result is a society where living conditions and resources meet human needs without undermining the planetary integrity and stability of the natural system."
- "Sustainable development tries to find a balance between economic development, environmental protection, and social well-being."
- "Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
- "Sustainable development was first institutionalized with the Rio Process initiated at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro."
- "The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (2015 to 2030) and explained how the goals are integrated and indivisible to achieve sustainable development at the global level."
- "The UNGA's 17 goals address the global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice."
- "Sustainability is often thought of as a long-term goal (i.e., a more sustainable world), while sustainable development refers to the many processes and pathways to achieve it."
- "While some see it as paradoxical (or as an oxymoron) and regard development as inherently unsustainable, others are disappointed in the lack of progress that has been achieved so far."
- "Part of the problem is that 'development' itself is not consistently defined."
- "enabling natural systems to provide necessary natural resources and ecosystem services to humans"
- "economic development, environmental protection, and social well-being"
- "development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"
- "with the Rio Process initiated at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro"
- "goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2015 that address global challenges"
- "poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice"
- "Sustainability is often thought of as a long-term goal, while sustainable development refers to the many processes and pathways to achieve it."
- "some see it as paradoxical (or as an oxymoron) and regard development as inherently unsustainable"
- "the lack of progress that has been achieved so far"
- "Part of the problem is that 'development' itself is not consistently defined."