Sustainability and Sustainable Development

Sustainability

Sustainability and sustainable development are two terms that are often used interchangeably but their roots are different. The term sustainability originated from ecology and referred to managing natural resources in a way that the desired level of environmental quality is maintained (Eggert, 2009; Ihlen & Roper, 2014).

One of the most well-known applications of sustainability concept is the life cycle analysis (LCA). So, it assesses and quantifies the environmental impact associated with the entire life of a product. Because LCA is used by companies by product designers, they understand their products’ impacts on environment. They also understand the ways in which the product can be improved (Michigan Tech, 2019).

Sustainable development

Sustainable development shifts the focus to society. The definition is provided by the Brundtland Report in 1987. They say that development meets the needs of the present without compromising the future generations to meet their own needs. This involves managing the currently available resources by also considering future generations’ share in them. And with the least adverse environmental and social impacts possible.

Sustainable development is inherently multi-dimensional. It refers to development that integrates environmental, social, and economic characteristics of an activity (Eggert, 2009). UNESCO defines sustainability as a long-term goal, with sustainable development as the processes used to achieve this goal. This includes but is not limited to production and consumption, good government, education, and training (UNESCO, 2005).

There have been attempts to define sustainable development in the corporate context (Siew, 2015). It means adopting business strategies and activities to meet the needs of the enterprise and its stakeholders today. But it also protects, sustains, and enhances the human and natural resources that will be needed in the future. (IISD, 1992).

It also can be defined as the way in which the sector balances social, economic, and environmental interests (Brueckner et al., 2013). Companies demonstrate contribution to sustainable development by publishing so called sustainability reports or sustainability assessments along with other metrics that relate to sustainability.

Based on C Perdeli Demirkan – 2022-Mines Theses & Dissertations, 2022