Sustainability is a concept related to sustainable development, that is, formed by a set of ideas, ecologically correct, economically viable, socially just and culturally correct strategies and attitudes diverse.
Sustainability serves as an alternative to ensure the survival of the planet's natural resources, while allowing human beings and societies to develop ecological solutions.
There are several concepts related to sustainability, such as sustained growth, which is a steady and secure increase in economy; and the sustainable management, which is to run an organization valuing all the factors that comprise it, and is essentially linked to the environment.
Several of these concepts include the words "sustainable" or "sustained". The difference between the two terms is that the term "sustainable" indicates that there is a possibility of support, while the term "sustained" expresses that this support has already been achieved.
Etymologically, the word sustainable comes from the Latin sustain, which means "sustain", "support" and "conserve".
Learn more about Sustainable development and see examples of social movements.
Types of Sustainability
Environmental and Ecological Sustainability
Environmental and ecological sustainability is the maintenance of planet Earth's environment, maintaining the quality of life and ecosystems in harmony with people.
Environmental sustainability is also taking care not to pollute water, separate garbage, avoid ecological disasters such as fires and deforestation, among other actions.
The very concept of sustainability is for the long term, it is about finding a form of development that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Humanity's challenge is to preserve its standard of living and maintain technological development without depleting the planet's natural resources.
See also the meaning of Environment.
Corporate sustainability
Companies are increasingly concerned about the environment, but as part of a commercial and marketing strategy. In companies, the concept of sustainability is directly linked to social responsibility, it has even become a competitive advantage.
A company that cares about sustainability is one that takes care of the planet, cares about the community, the environment and is always praiseworthy in the eyes of the public.
Sustainability in companies is also linked to economic sustainability, which is achieved through a management model sustainable, that is, a way that encourages processes that allow the recovery of the financial, human and natural capital of the company.
Learn more about the meaning of Social responsability.
Social Sustainability
Social sustainability is the concept that describes the set of measures established to promote the balance and well-being of society, through various initiatives that aim to help members of society facing unfavorable conditions.
Another important goal is to guarantee the reduction of social inequalities, violence, and the expansion of quality public education.
Among some of the main examples of measures aimed at social sustainability, we highlight: incentive to social inclusion programs; investment in basic sanitation; incentive to professional qualification projects; encouragement of free cultural and public education programs for low-income people; between others.
economic sustainability
It seeks to ensure economic development taking into account strategies that do not cause environmental impacts or that reduce the quality of life of people in society.
Among some of the actions that can be considered economically sustainable, highlight the use of renewable energy; constant inspection to prevent other companies or people from committing environmental crimes; among others.
Examples of actions for sustainability
Among some of the main actions that can be taken to encourage the ideals of sustainability then:
- Avoid wasting water;
- Use renewable and clean energy sources (geothermal, wind and hydraulic, for example);
- Keep green areas preserved, safe from exploration activities for economic purposes;
- Rationalize and control the exploration of mineral resources (coal, oil, ores, etc), creating strategies that allow the least possible impact on the environment;
- Prioritize the production and consumption of organic food;
- Prioritize the use of technologies that use renewable energy sources;
- Recycling and selective garbage collection;
- Prioritize the consumption of biodegradable products.
Learn more about the main Examples of Sustainability.
What are the main benefits of sustainability?
The application of sustainable strategies and actions is extremely important to ensure a better quality of life for the population.
Some of the main examples of the results that sustainability can bring to the planet in the medium and long term are:
- the reduction of pollution in rivers, land and atmosphere;
- the preservation of natural resources (oceans, forests, lakes, etc.);
- the maintenance of terrestrial life with quality and dignity without harming the environment;
- avoid major natural disasters caused by environmental impacts.
The debate on the importance of sustainability has become an essential and recurring theme since the last decade of the 20th century. As a result, the demand for products and services that followed the standards established by the concept of sustainability increased.
In the same way, sustainability started to be much explored by companies to show the public that their products were manufactured without damaging or harming the environment. Thus, it is labeled as an ecologically correct company and this works as a positive marketing campaign for the brand.
know more about sustainable consumption and environmental sustainability.
sustainability tripod
The concept of sustainability is supported by three main pillars, which are divided into environmental, social and economic aspects. Some studies on the subject also consider the cultural and technological aspects important complements for the maintenance of sustainability.
Only by uniting all these different dimensions will it be possible to fully achieve the concept proposed by sustainability.
The sustainability tripod is also known as Triple Bottom Line or People, Planet, Profit.
| Environmental Dimension | Social Dimension | Economic Dimension |
|---|---|---|
| environmental education | Valorization of Human Rights | market competitiveness |
| Conservation of natural resources | community involvement | Transparency |
| Waste reduction | Valuing social welfare | economic prosperity |
| Use of clean and renewable energy | ethical bases | Create bonds of respect with employees, suppliers and society |
| Biodiversity | Investment in public and social inclusion policies | Growth strategies based on environmental preservation and social well-being |
| Eliminate environmental impacts |
What does it mean to be ecologically correct?
It is related to the environmental aspect of the sustainability tripod. That is, the importance of taking the environment into account throughout the development of humanity.
Any type of activity that has negative environmental impacts as a consequence must be avoided. In this sense, the social group must think in order to avoid the depletion of natural resources, for example.
What is it to be economically viable?
This point refers to the economic aspect of the tripod. In this case, companies, for example, must invest economically in favor of social and, above all, environmental well-being.
Sustainability foresees not only environmental preservation and society's well-being, but also economic development. That is, for this to happen companies need to continue to generate profits. However, obtaining a positive economic result should not be in line with methods and strategies that devastate the environment.
What is it to be socially fair?
It refers to the social scope of the sustainability tripod. Here, what matters is how the human being is treated, whether by society or by a company, for example.
The priority is the valuing people's quality of life, concomitant with the maintenance of the other two aspects: environmental and economic.
In the case of a company that wants to act in accordance with the concept of sustainability, being socially fair means valuing not only the target audience, but also ensure the personal development of employees, suppliers and all the people who are part (directly or indirectly) of the company.
See also what it means environmental education.