Sustainability
Economic, Social and Environmental
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We do not inherit the Earth from
our ancestors; we borrow it from
our children.
Sustainability
• Sustainability means that a process or state
can be maintained at a certain level for as long
as is wanted
And
• The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or
level.
This refers to whether or not natural resources, i.e. gifts of
nature, can be maintained into the future.
Environmental
sustainability
Economic activity is environmentally sustainable if it doesn’t:
• result in excess pollution;
• rely on non-renewable sources of energy;
• result in damage to ecosystems.
Example: dumping plastic waste into the sea, and clearing
the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil are NOT environmentally
sustainable.
Economic sustainability
This refers to ensuring that
economic growth is not
achieved at the expense of
future generations.
Example: it is not
economically (or
environmentally)
sustainable to grow the
economy while
simultaneously emitting
high levels of greenhouse
gases.
Social sustainability
This refers to creating
equal opportunities
for all citizens on the
planet.
Example: access to
healthcare, education,
income, water or food
for all.
What does it mean to be “Sustainable”
DEVELOPMENT THAT MEETS
THE NEEDS OF THE PRESENT
WITHOUT COMPROMISING
THE ABILITY OF THE FUTURE
GENERATIONS TO MEET
THEIR NEEDS.
WORK FOR SAFE AND
STABLE FUTURE FOR BOTH
PEOPLE AND THE PLANET
CONSIDER THE ECONOMIC,
SOCIAL AND
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSEQUENCES OF OUR
ACTIONS
Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development
Goals are the blueprint to
achieve a better and more
sustainable future for all
They address the global
challenges we face, including
those related to poverty,
inequality, climate,
environmental degradation,
prosperity, and peace and
justice.
The Goals interconnect and in
order to leave no one behind, it
ís important that we achieve
each Goal and target by 2030
Sustainable Development Goals
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What are the main challenges in achieving the SDGs?
International instability
Implementing the goals
Co-ordination of governance between nation states
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How are the
three pillars of
sustainability
connected?
How are the three pillars of sustainability connected?
• To grow, the economy feeds on natural resources, emits waste that pollutes the air and
threatens the climate that life relies on.
• Our unlimited use of natural resources such as oil and gas that allow economic growth
also deplete energy from the Earth. This in turn undermines the foundation that
economic growth is built on.
How do we
address this
paradox between
economic growth
and
sustainability?
• Search for ways to build heating and air-conditioning
systems that use renewable resources.
• Invent technology that minimises air pollution.
• Use sustainable materials for packaging.
• Recycle more.
• Invest heavily in alternative energy development.
Nine steps to zero
landfill
How are the three pillars of
sustainability connected?
• If sustainability is achieved the environment is
protected, natural resources are preserved, the
economy grows and the quality of life of citizens
is improved or maintained.
Indicators of economic
growth
• Economic growth can be measured by the
change in national output over a period of
time. The national output is all the goods and
services produced by a country. It is measured
by gross domestic product (GDP).
• The United Nations introduced a measure
called the Human Development Index (HDI). It
includes data on life expectancy at birth and
on the average years of schooling and
expected years of schooling.
 Inequality of income/wealth is how the income earned in an
economy is distributed unequally across the population.
Effects of inequality
• Indicators of social cohesion and inequality
 Inequality threatens growth.
 Inequality undermines social fairness.
 Inequality of income can lead to inequality of opportunity.
• S80/S20 share ratio
Measuring
inequality
• The S80/S20 share ratio measures the
annual income of the wealthiest 20% of
households compared to the poorest
20%.
• Gini coefficient
• It measures income inequality by
comparing each household’s income
position to that of all other households.
It’s a more widely used measure of
income inequality.
Gini coefficient
How could the government reduce inequality?
Progressive taxation,
i.e. higher marginal
tax rates for those on
higher salaries
Social welfare
expenditure to assist
the most vulnerable
people in our society
Spending on
healthcare – universal
healthcare for all
Education and social
services to help
people on lower
incomes
Minimum wage
legislation to ensure a
living wage for
everybody
Measuring
environmental
sustainability
• The Environmental
Performance Index
• The Global Green
Economy Index
• Kuznet’s
environmental curve
Sustainable development
for individuals, business
and government
• Sustainable behaviour is a shared
responsibility of individuals, communities,
businesses and government.
• The choices we make are restricted or
enabled by the environment in which we live.
• Many sustainable behaviours are not
deliberate choices, but rather involuntary
habits.
• It’s imperative that new, positive behaviours
continue once started.
Sustainable
business
development
• Companies that have failed to adopt more sustainable
practices have tended to incur higher operating costs, e.g.
landfill tax, fines and penalties.
• On the other hand, businesses that implement
sustainable practices may have lower costs, benefit from a
better brand reputation and attract investment.
• The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in
1992 called for action throughout the
world to achieve a more sustainable
environment.
Sustainable
government
development
• The Millennium Summit 2000 set out
targets known as the Millennium
Development Goals and in 2015 the
Sustainable Development Goals were
adopted.
• The Europe 2020 Strategy set targets in
areas such as employment, research and
innovation, climate change and energy,
education, poverty and social exclusion.
• Building on the work of the above
organisations and Comhar, Our
Sustainable Future – A Framework for
Sustainable Development in Ireland was
created.
Our Sustainable Future – A Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland
Themes
Principles
Economy
Promote an innovative, competitive and low-carbon economy with the aim of
achieving smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
Satisfaction of human needs by
the efficient use of resources
Prices should reflect the real cost to society of production and consumption
activities.
Equity between generations
The needs of current generations should be addressed without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Gender equity
Women have a vital role in environmental management and development.
Respect for ecological integrity
and biodiversity
The abundance of wildlife and extent of habitats should be maintained, improved
and restored where necessary through sustainable development.
Social equity
Social inclusion should be promoted to ensure an improved quality of life for all.
Respect for cultural
heritage/diversity
The quality of landscapes, the heritage of the man-made environment and historic
and cultural resources should be maintained and improved.
Equity between countries and
regions
Promote fundamental rights by combating all forms of discrimination and
contributing to the reduction of poverty.
Good decision-making
Guarantee citizens’ rights of access to information and public participation
procedures.
Our Sustainable
Future – A
Framework for
Sustainable
Development in
Ireland
• The key challenges identified in achieving sustainable
development can be summarised as follows:
• Sustainability of public finances and economic resilience
• Conservation and management of natural resources
• Climate change and clean energy
• Sustainable agriculture and transport
Our Sustainable Future – A
Framework for Sustainable
Development in Ireland cont’d
• Social inclusion
• Sustainable communities and spatial planning
• Public health
• Education and behaviour change
• Innovation, skills and training
• Global prosperity
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