Video Discription |
What is sustainability? Definition, types and examples.
Sustainability consists of fulfilling the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations, while ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care and social well-being.
As we saw above, plastics pose a grave problem for the oceans and, according to the United Nations data, over 3 million people depend on the seas for their subsistence. Thus, the current situation needs to change if we want to meet Goal No. 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development".
What types of sustainability are there?
As outlined in the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), even if greenhouse gases are radically reduced right now, average global warming will most likely exceed 1.5°C in the near future. Such a temperature increase can have disastrous consequences, like the melting of glaciers, the disappearance of animal and plant species, forest fires and droughts, among others.
Hence both people and businesses play a fundamental role in fighting climate change and driving measures that support sustainability. However, sustainability doesn't just refer to the environment, it needs to be implemented in many other ways too. In this sense, it is important to note there are various forms of sustainability.
Environmental sustainability
Environmental sustainability focuses on the conservation of biodiversity without foregoing economic and social progress. The foundations of environmental sustainability are: safeguarding water, saving energy, reducing waste, using recyclable packaging, limiting or eliminating the use of plastics, using sustainable transport, reusing paper and protecting flora and fauna.
A great example of environmental sustainability is the Swedish city of Stockholm, which is noted for investing in sustainable infrastructure, its low emissions and for having excellent air quality, with pollution levels well below average. The city has thus achieved a balance between economic development and environmental protection.
Another example is the Bimbo Group, which aims to reduce its environmental impact through regenerative agriculture with zero carbon emissions, the use of renewable energies and the reduction of waste.
Economic sustainability
When a company is set up, a structure is created that involves expenses and revenues. Once a balance is struck between both factors, the company earns profit. Economic sustainability refers to the organisation's ability to manage its resources and responsibly generate profits in the long term.
An example of this type of sustainability is the company Unilever, which in the year 2010 rolled out a strategy to achieve a balance between sustainability and the company's economic performance. To do so, it implemented several measures, such as: increasing package recycling, promoting the use of recycled materials and responsible consumption awareness campaigns.
Likewise, we can also look to the case of the Suez company, which in its Sustainable Development Report 2020 reveals that it has reduced its emissions related to electricity consumption by 95%, by purchasing and generating renewable energy; that it has implemented energy efficiency measures and that, additionally, in terms of the conservation of natural habitats, some 81.5% of its facilities are free from pesticides and crop protection chemicals.
Social sustainability
In any community in which economic activities are carried out in a specific environment, we find three interconnected forms of sustainability: environmental, economic and social. However, social sustainability in particular has the goal of strengthening the cohesion and stability of specific social groups.
The company CEMEX, for example, is working to contribute to the social development of communities. Thus, the company offers decent housing - through self-building programmes and loans with favourable access conditions - to those most in need.
The Gigante Group is another example, since, via the Gigante Foundation, it contributes funds and resources to a range of social causes, such as school materials for collaborators, and grants to improve visual health.
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