What is sustainability?
This post will give you a fresh perspective of what sustainability means, looking at the term and action in a systems thinking approach.
In any and all industries, you’ll find that sustainability covers three pillars, that of environmental sustainability, economical sustainability and social sustainability. Read on for definitions and considerations for each pillar - including the definition of sustainability itself - and how each of them must interconnect in order for any business, company, organisation - or even product or service - to be truly sustainable.
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In the true definition of the word, sustainability refers to the ability for something to sustain itself - good or bad. But when referring to a positive industrial practice or way of living, sustainability is a concept that focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
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Practicing environmental sustainability involves making choices that will benefit future generations. It isn’t just about leaving the planet that has kindly supported us in a better condition than how we found it, but improving the systems that we have collectively depleted in order to regenerate resources, economies, health and wellbeing - for us humans, and all other life from microorganisms to plants to large animals.
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Economic sustainability refers to practices that support long-term economic growth without negatively impacting social, environmental, and cultural aspects of the community. It calls for the building of resilience into all aspects of the economy.
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Social sustainability focuses on creating a more equitable and just society by addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and access to resources. Resources include education, healthcare and social services, but should extend to encapsulate such wellbeing systems of emotional support, access to recreation, and inclusion.
What is environmental sustainability?
If you open your search engine and type in the above, you’ll get a myriad of definitions, such as:
the responsibility to conserve natural resources and protect global ecosystems to support health and wellbeing, now and in the future [Sphera].
the ability to maintain an ecological balance in our planet’s natural environment and conserve natural resources to support the wellbeing of current and future generations [Microsoft].
ensuring that human society operates within ecological borders [SNHU].
All of these sit within the overrarching definition of sustainability, in that it focuses on conserving what we have now so that those in the future have some too.
In specific regards to the environment, to be “environmentally sustainable” you would be working to maintain an ecological balance in the planet’s natural ecosystem. This would be by conserving natural resources in order to protect the planet for future generations. Best bractices include preserving resources, reducing consumption, reducing pollution, reducing waste, preventing the extinction of plant and animal species by protecting biodiversity, and reducing dependence on non-renewable fossil fuel energy sources.
Global warming.
Global warming is an effect caused mainly by the emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere via industries that burn Earth’s natural finite resources. This extraction and consequential pollution is shifting the ecological balance that supports life, witnessed by an increase in extreme weather events. To avoid the most disastrous consequences of global warming and therefore catastrophic climate change, we must restrict the Earth’s warming to 1.5˚C (2.7˚F) above pre-industrial levels. However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that we could reach 4˚C (7.2˚F) by the end of the century if we do not curb our overconsumption.
Planetary boundaries.
The ‘planetary boundaries’ were devised by the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University in 2009 to present awareness on certain ecological boundaries within which humanity can continue to develop and thrive for generations to come. If we step out of those boundaries, then we’re unlikely to survive. In 2015, the framework was updated to show that four of the nine boundaries were pushed into unprecedented territory, including climate change, biodiversity loss, nutrient cycles and land use. By 2022, 14 scientists concluded that humanity had exceeded a planetary boundary related to environmental pollutants and other “novel entities” including plastics.
Key challenges.
While the above practices for reducing and protecting resources are what most environmental sustainability frameworks would consider e.g. reducing waste, if we return to the definition of sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, then how can we actually extract, use and consume in a regenerative way to ensure those lifeforms yet to come still have resources?
The key environmental challenges with some key considerations and actions to achieve environmental sustainabilty are:
Air pollution.
Reduce industries that cannot capture contaminated particles
Ensure materials and substances if incinerated are disposed of safely, i.e. not through chimneys
Avoid dependency on waste incineration over reducing waste and using effecive recycling systems
Improve soil health and integrate more effective tree planting to drawdown and sequester carbon
Switch from a vehicle-dependent planet to one that uses less carbon-intensive modes of transport
Water pollution.
Minimise use of harmful substances and contaminants that are leached into waterways
Reduce industries that waste freshwater and improve technology to capture and clean used freshwater
Ensure materials and substances are disposed of safely, i.e. not in landfill
Loss of biodiversity.
Preserve natural habitats by avoiding deforestation and by rewilding industrially-farmed land
Switching to regenerative methods of farming for food, fibre and trees
Not focussing on conserving just one species, but respecting the whole cycle
Depletion of natural finite resources.
Use renewable sources, including solar and wind power
Reduce dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels
Not using carbon offsetting as a get-out-of-jail card
Land use.
Make more land available to wild habitats to restore the natural ecosystem
Switch to regenerative methods of farming
Open up land ownership so that more people can access the outdoors and improve their connection to nature
Climate change I’ve kept separately. Evidence shows that all of the above challenges are entwined within the changing climate. Just one example is found in industrial farming: ploughing land that is already doused in synthetic fertilisers will release stored carbon and destroy the microorganism ecosystem, leaching the inputted chemicals into groundwater, and as the soil has no water storing capacity anyway, the land floods. This disrupts the weather fronts, causing drought that dries up the muddied soil so making it more susceptible to flooding. We end up in an unresilient mess.
Sustainable Development Goals.
The UN offers 17 Sustainable Development Goals that any business, organisation or even individual could use to address up to 169 targets that will improve human development while enabling natural systems to thrive - in line with the definition of sustainability.
The majority of these goals interconnect, so that while one looks from the outset to regard social sustainability, in fact it also addresses environnmental sustainability through the impacts that can occur if one target is met. For instance, target 1 of Goal 1: No Poverty is to eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere by 2030; this requires land use shift to that of regenerative farming that can better support subsistence food agriculture, not just growing of commodity crops. It requires clean water and sanitation (goal 6), it requires access to affordable clean energy (goal 7), and it requires responsible consumption and production (goal 12). With the intersection of these goals, there isn’t a systems-based approach to solving these issues and continues on a linear trajectory, for example suggesting that eradicating poverty really just means providing more food.
What does environmental sustainability look like to you? Is it connecting with nature and educating children, renewable power, reducing plastic consumption, activism…?
Images: 1. CDC on Unsplash (a young boy gardens); 2. Karsten Würth on Unsplash (wind turbines on UK land); 3. OCG Saving the Ocean on Unsplash (two Balian men collect plastic pollution off a beach); 4. Nik on Unsplash (handmade bunting with handwritten caption “save the world NOW!!!!” hung to a metal railing).
What is social sustainability?
Social sustainability focuses on creating a more equitable and just society by addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and access to resources. It aims to provide equal opportunities for education, health care and employment to all people regardless of their socio-economic status, promoting positive wellbeing and safety. The overall aim of a social sustainability framework is that everyone’s human rights are protected to create a thriving society with a good quality of life.
The key principles of social sustainability cover:
Social equity and justice (which includes environmental protection)
Diversity and inclusion
Democratic participation and empowerment (which includes good governance)
Livelihood security (including economic wellbeing)
Social well-being and quality of life (which includes access to basic services and resources)
Key challenges.
The key social challenges with some key considerations that may be halting social sustainabilty are:
Social equity.
This is about everyone having equal access to the same opportunities, which includes also being able to participate in society and have your voice be heard. This entwines diversity and inclusion so that everyone has equal access to basic services and resources including health and social care.
Cultural differences can affect equity, for instance the role of women
Education.
Education provides individuals with opportunities for personal growth and development, which ideally leads to livelihood stability and economic wellbeing. It can also intertwine with democratic participation through being able to make more informed decisions.
Cultural differences can affect equity, for instance the role of women
Impact of poverty highly affects the access to education
The Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war halted and disrupted education for 150 million children [UN]
School infrastructure is poor in certain countries, for instance access to clean water and electricity
Poverty alleviation.
Poverty is a state or condition, in which a person lacks the financial resources for a certain standard of living. Extreme poverty is currently measured by the UN as people living on less than $1.25 a day. Alleviation (or eradication) of poverty refers to improving the systems that admit people into this state of poor wellbeing.
The Covid-19 pandemic erased 4 years of progress towards eradicating poverty by disrupting economic markets
Other disasters impacted by the changing climate disrupt livelihoods with an inability to recover before the next one
Decent work.
Somewhat integrated with poverty alleviation is the access to decent work, though issues in diversity and inclusion also embed inequities in employment. Decent work refers to sustained productive employment, and obviously will differ nation to nation, though certain issues such as modern day slavery should be abolished in order to fully achieve decent work for all.
Rising global inflation affects economic recovery, causing business closures and job losses
New waves of Covid-19 affect business along with personal ability to work
Child labour and other modern day slaveries occur worldwide, along with the exploitation of migrants and refugees
Cultural differences affect the working capacity of both genders
Continued discrimination affects equal work opportunities
Some employment fallout is experienced from the introduction of AI technology into certain industries
Healthcare.
Healthcare is classed as a basic human right and should be accessible to everyone no matter their background, income, race, age and gender.
Certain countries have commodified healthcare so making it expensive to access for some
Budgets affect the level of care
Historic colonialism, climate change and war (though arguably interlinked) affect the availability of services and aid, especially to those already experiencing a depletion of access to this right
Child and senior care.
Childcare is a universal challenge that impacts the economy, personal wellbeing and also environment (in terms of resource use). Senior care similarly can financially affect livelihoods, but also can emotionally impact the dignity and respect that elderly persons receive. Both types of care - and could be extended to disabled care - are related to creating supportive caring communities that helps those in need thrive.
Caring roles are rarely seen as a job in terms of economics, though they take up emotional space and time and impact other livelihoods
Persons who are being cared for generally don’t receive the same opportunities as those who don’t require caring for (see inclusion and diversity below)
Inclusion and diversity.
As part of social equity, inclusion is about making sure that everyone has access to the same opportunities, and are treated with respect and dignity. In order to be socially sustainable, a community must include a wide variety of people with different ideas, cultures and backgrounds.
Discrimination continues to occur globally
Recreation (sports).
More and more studies talk to the positive impact of nature on our wellbeing, for instance that pulse rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels are reduced through outdoor recreation [Chiba University] or that people are more considerate and compassionate when exposed to nature [Ryan, Weinstein 2009]. Access to the natural outdoors and ability to move shows an improvement to personal wellbeing, health, possibly crime too (so reducing pressure on services there), a feeling of inclusion in society and better job satisfaction.
Land ownership affects access rights
Poverty belies an ability to have any free time, and increases stress
Environmental degradation is causing eco-anxiety and destruction of our spaces
Actions can be taken to improve social sustainability across all industries, and as well, individually. Businesses can implement initiatives that promote better health, safety and wellbeing, so embedding frameworks that will improve social equity. It is imperative to consider one challenge or issue in line with another rather than as a silo; instead of saying, ok so this person is living in poverty and it’s because they don’t have a job, consider their background or culture or needs to address what may be preventing them from accessing decent work, and then the impact on other social sustainability measures including healthcare and education.
What does social sustainability look like to you? Is it fighting against the dependence on fossil fuels to improve water and air pollution, or supporting the voices that usually don’t get heard, looking after the land so everyone can eat, or improving technology so there is greater access to resources like electricity?
Images: 1. Eelco Böhtlingk on Unsplash (screenprinted sign says “break free from fossil fuels”; 2. Francois le Nguyen (a diversity of women walk a catwalk holding a sign saying “we are fashion revolution. we are you.”; 3. Gabriel Jimenez on Unplash (a pair of white hands holds a pile of soil); 4. Riccardo Annandale on Unsplash (a pair of white male hands holds a lit lightbulb).
What is economic sustainability?
By now we have sort of covered how environmental, social and economic sustainability roll into one, and why addressing one alone doesn’t make sense.
ChatGPT (or rather Notion’s AI feature) gave me this tidbit regarding the definition of economic sustainability: “Economic sustainability is a concept that focuses on maintaining a healthy and prosperous economy while protecting the environment”. It is interesting that the AI related economics to the environment, when what is touted to us citizens from politicians is that economic sustainability is all about growth. We can see that nature does not want us to grow further; the AI goes on to state that in order to achieve economic sustainability then both environmental and social implications need to be considered when making decisions on long-term economic activities.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
Economic sustainability requires there to be resilience built in to any activity, so that any economic downturns can be managed effectively. To protect those who would be most affected by any disruptions, there needs to be oversight on existing economic inequalities.
This again requires holistic thinking; take the Covid-19 pandemic as an example, jobs were lost, children couldn’t go to school, pressure was put on the care services, disruptions to supply chains occured and outdoor time decreased, so reducing income, complicating free time and diminishing wellbeing. But it didn’t matter who you were, this impacted everyone and there needed to be equitable solutions whatever your status. I’m not saying this occured, because holistic thinking doesn’t seem to be a rational option in politics, and obviously this differed country to country, yet everyone was economically impacted. Now there is a previous case study to learn from, and with insight into the impact on pollution, nature connection and citizen needs, there is a shift - as the AI rightly identified - in economic sustainability being directly linked to environmental and social sustainability.
Key challenges.
The key economic challenges with some key considerations that need to be addressed to achieve economic sustainability:
Infrastructure.
Medium and high-technology industries are shown as more resilient in crises than their low-tech counterparts (computers over fashion production)
Lack of access to financial recovery for small-scale industries
Sustainable industrialisation, including greener transport and manufacturing, halts under crises consequently slowing the accessibility of people to work
Communities.
An increase in people moving for work, including migrant workers and refugees, puts strain on resources
Urban population increases also increase air pollution, congestion, anxiety and municipal waste
Basic hygiene and santitation are still inaccessible to some, while freshwater elsewhere is contaminated by sewage
People continue to be forcibly displaced worldwide, or forced into modern day slavery
Resource use.
Forests continue to be deforested year on year (almost 90% of global deforestation is due to agricultural expansion)
Biodiversity continues to be neglected in key climate change talks and budgets
Corruption is found in all regions of the world, including bribery
The ocean is affected by plastic pollution, acidification, eutrophication and overfishing, most of which affects indigenous and local economies
Waste is not safely managed, including electronic, clothing, plastic, chemical and food
Dependence on natural resources continues to increase
This is another section that is not exhaustive, but serves to give some idea of how these three pillars of sustainability have to be considered and practiced in conjunction with one another. Whether you start with one pillar over another (as a business, organisation or individual - or even politician) you will quickly find that in order to be truly sustainable, you have to embed a bit of each into the other.
What does economic sustainability mean to you? Is it the very clear equity of financial assets, or not plundering resources to detrimental effect, building a more sharing economy over consumption, or embedding safer more resilient (less automated) working practices into manufacturing industries?
Images: 1. Joao Barbosa on Unsplash (a view of London’s Canary Wharf); 2. Deepak Padukone on Unplash (a honeybee sits on a flower); 3. Pop & Zebra on Unsplash (a bike with a sign on the basket that says “share more consume less”; 4. Remy Gieling on Unsplash (women sit in a manufacturing factory boxing up goods).