This type of sustainability focuses on designing products and systems that meet ethical standards and do not contribute to exploitation or injustice.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): This is a process of weighing the environmental, social and economic impacts of any proposed action or project, and finding ways to mitigate any negative impact.
Life cycle assessment (LCA): The process of measuring the environmental impact of a product, service or process from the raw material stage through the end of its life.
Biodiversity: The variety and interconnectedness of all living things and their habitats.
Circular Economy: A system that endeavours to keep resources in use for as long as possible, minimizing waste and pollution by generating a closed loop system.
Renewable Energy: A sustainable form of energy power that is derived from naturally replenishing solutions, such as solar, wind, and hydro.
Sustainable Materials: Materials that minimize environmental impact, from the source materials to disposal.
Sustainable Packaging: Packaging which is designed to minimize its environmental impact, and prevent the creation of waste.
Energy Efficiency: The measure of how effectively a product uses energy to generate the desired output.
Carbon Footprint: The total carbon emissions produced by an individual, an organization, or a product: Which can be used to measure the impact of all activities that emit greenhouse gases.
Fair Trade: Trading relationships that are undertaken in a way that safeguards workers’ rights and ensures a higher profit margin for local producers.
Consumerism and waste management: The impact of consumerism and the challenges of waste management in a sustainable and ethical context.
Supply Chain Transparency: The degree to which a company is open about its suppliers, the conditions in which they operate, and the materials used to make their products.
Sustainability Metrics: Key metrics that are used to track a company’s sustainability progress, such as emissions, waste, and resource use.
Green Design: Design with a focus on sustainability by reducing environmental impact through materials and energy efficiency.
Social responsibility: Corporate policies and actions that address social issues such as fair labor, human rights, and social justice.
Social sustainability: This pertains to the impact of design on people, including fair labor practices, community engagement, and access to resources and opportunities.
Environmental sustainability: This concerns the impact of design on the environment, including use of materials, energy consumption, waste reduction, and carbon footprint.
Economic sustainability: This refers to the ability of a design to be financially viable in the long term, while also supporting the local economy and avoiding exploitation.
Cultural sustainability: This pertains to how design can support and preserve local traditions, heritage, and knowledge, while also promoting diversity and respect for different cultures.
Technological sustainability: This refers to how design can harness new and emerging technologies in a responsible and ethical manner, while also ensuring accessibility and security.
Aesthetic sustainability: This concerns the long-term appeal and relevance of a design, including its visual appeal and ability to inspire and engage people over time.
Educational sustainability: This refers to how design can contribute to public education and awareness about sustainability issues, supporting informed decision-making and responsible behavior.