What is Sustainability?
There are a lot of definitions of sustainability created by individuals, groups and organizations. Depending on how you use ‘sustainability’, it can have a variety of contextual meanings. To date, the sustainability industry itself has yet to settle on one definition. There are common themes expressed in the multiple definitions - about our resources and the environment, and maintaining their equity and balance for future generations. Businesses sometimes use the term “triple bottom line” to define sustainability in terms of increasing profits, improving the planet and improving people’s lives.
At eco-officiency we believe that defining sustainability is still worthy of a good conversation and debate. It is important for individuals and organizations to discover and explore for themselves the meaning ofsustainability and its effect on their lifestyle and business operations.
The
Earth
Charter is a global consensus statement
on the meaning and definition of sustainability
crafted in the late 1990’s and adopted formally
at the World Summit in 2002. View the
Earth Charter document.How sustainability is defined by some:
- Capable of being sustained.
- Of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.
- Of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods.
“It meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
“… when resources are consumed faster than they are produced or renewed, the resource is depleted and eventually used up. In a sustainable world, society's demand on nature is in balance with nature's capacity to meet that demand.”
“… to create a life-sustaining Earth, a future in which prosperity and opportunity increase while life flourishes and pressures on the oceans, Earth and atmosphere diminish.”
“Sustainable means using methods, systems and materials that won't deplete resources or harm natural cycles.”
“Corporate Sustainability is a business approach that creates long-term shareholder value by embracing opportunities and managing risks deriving from economic, environmental and social developments.”