Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present generation (our own needs) from this planet without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (the needs of our children and grandchildren). This definition was created in 1987 at the World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission). It is enshrined in the Swiss federal constitution. It is similar to the “seventh generation” philosophy of the Native American Iroquois Confederacy, mandating that chiefs always consider the effects of their actions on their descendants seven generations in the future.
Sustainability is not just limited to environmentalism. In addition to natural resources, we also need social and economic resources. Sustainability also concerns itself with social equity and economic development.
A sustainable world is one where the human communities across the globe are able to maintain their independence and have access to the resources that they require, financial and other, to meet their needs, all the while maintaining the ecological integrity of the world; and at the same time, universal human rights and basic necessities are attainable by all people without exception and there is no discrimination or unequal distribution of Earth’s resources.
There are many other ways to measure or define sustainability. As described in the book Natural Capitalism, in business, these should include the sustainable development and use of, at least, the following four types of capital:
In addition, many organizations use the following criteria to assess sustainable products, services, and other activities:
Social Criteria:
Financial Criteria:
Environmental Criteria:
To monitor the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals, a way of measuring progress is needed. An SDG Indicator is the element that is measured. Example: if the goal is to en...
A complex system that regulates its own performance so that it never gets too far off-balance and can bring itself back into homeostasis.
A system of interactions and actors that, together, create a sustainable and successful service or experience. Service Ecologies often include several companies or organizations th...