What is Sustainability?

In the simplest form, sustainability is the balance between the environment, society and the economy. Sustainability encompasses protecting the planet, stopping global warming and promoting social development without endangering life on Earth and leaving no one behind. 

In the broadest sense, sustainability refers to the ability to continuously maintain and support a process over time. Sustainability in business and policy contexts, on the other hand, is to prevent the depletion of natural or physical resources and to create usable situations in the long term. 

Nowadays every time we use the term ‘sustainability’, we state that we aim to meet our current needs without sacrificing resources for future generations.

How is Sustainability Defined? 

The most frequently cited definition is that of the UN World Commission on Environment and Development: "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." 

In short, we can say the integration of environmental health, social equality and economic systems in order to build a solid social structure for future generations. 

Sustainable practices support ecology, society and economic vitality. Sustainability assumes that resources are limited and that the ways in which resources are used should be used prudently and wisely in terms of their long-term priorities. In the simplest form, sustainability is about our children and grandchildren and the world we will leave to them.

A Brief History of Sustainability

The first of the events that led to the mainstream of the concept of sustainability was the publication of the Brundtland Report in 1987. The concept of sustainability was used in this report for the first time in its current sense.

This report defines sustainable development as "meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Published by the United Nations, the Brundtland Report was the first text to warn about the adverse environmental consequences of economic development and globalization, and the first to try to offer solutions to problems caused by industrialization and population growth. Many years later, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were adopted at the United Nations Summit of the same name.

How Can Sustainability Performance Be Measured?

Sustainability is measured by evaluating and addressing the performance of the three main principles together and in a balanced manner.

What are the 3 Areas of Sustainability? 

The concept of sustainability has three basic components: environmental, social and economic. 

1. Environmental Sustainability is the most discussed element. It deals with the reduction of carbon footprints, water use, non-decomposable packaging and waste processes as part of the supply chain. These processes can often be cost-effective and are important for environmental sustainability. 

2. Social Sustainability is about treating employees fairly and ensuring that employees, stakeholders and the community in which a business operates are treated responsibly and ethically. This can be achieved through better parental support, flexible scheduling and more responsive benefits such as learning and development opportunities. Every business should operate using a sustainable workforce that includes fairly paid adult employees who can operate in a safe environment. 

3. Economic Sustainability In order for a business to be economically sustainable, it must be profitable and generate sufficient income to be able to continue its operations. The biggest challenge with this form of sustainability is balance. Instead of making money at all costs, companies should continue their processes in accordance with other elements of sustainability.

What are the Primary Goals in Sustainability?

In order to successfully achieve a better and more sustainable future, the UN published the “Sustainable Development Goals” in 2016. These goals are focused on the solution of issues such as sustainable development, no poverty, zero hunger, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, responsible consumption and production by 2030.

What are the Sustainability Goals?

In 2018, the EU Commission lists the six steps that need to be taken to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals as follows: 

1. The importance of responsible consumption and production and doing more with fewer resources, adopting a circular economy and reducing demand,
2. Decarbonizing the energy industry, providing clean and affordable energy for everyone,
3. Creating efficient and sustainable food systems that can be achieved through increasing agricultural productivity and reducing meat consumption, creating food and clean water systems for all while protecting the biosphere and oceans,
4. Smart cities: Urban transformation for the good of the population and the environment which can be done through settlement patterns, smart infrastructure and internet connectivity,
5. To lead a digital revolution in innovation to support the sustainable development of the world's information technology.

What is Corporate Sustainability?

Corporate sustainability emerged as a component of corporate ethics in response to public concerns about the long-term harm caused by the focus on short-term profits. In the business context, sustainability means more than environmentalism. Harvard Business School lists two ways to measure sustainable business practices: 

1- The impact of the business on the environment
2- The impact of the business on society. 

This dual responsibility encourages businesses to balance their long-term goals and pursue inclusive and environmentally responsible goals. Reducing emissions and energy usage, sourcing products from fair trade organizations and ensuring that physical waste is disposed of with a smaller carbon footprint can be characterized as movements towards sustainability. In recent years, many companies have been making such sustainability promises.

The Benefits of Sustainability

Companies that successfully implement sustainability strategies can reap financial benefits as well as environmental and social benefits. Sustainable resources can help a company save money, as well as eliminate commercial concerns in the long term. For example, using more efficient lighting and plumbing fixtures can help a company save on utility bills and improve its public image. There may also be government tax incentives for companies that adopt certain sustainability practices. Sustainability can also make a company more attractive to investors. 

The first step in integrating sustainability practices is to identify the weak point. For example, a company can determine that it is producing too much waste or that its hiring practices are harming the surrounding communities. Then the company should determine its goals and the metrics it will use. A company can set an ambitious goal to reduce its carbon footprint or a specific percentage target for diversity employment. This will allow the company to objectively determine whether its goals have been achieved. The last step is to implement the strategy and evaluate the results. This requires constant re-evaluation, as a company's goals can change as it grows. 

Why is Sustainability Significant?

Sustainability has many benefits, both in the short and long term. We will not be able to protect the planet's ecosystems if more sustainable choices are not made; fossil fuels are likely to run out, numerous animal species will become extinct, and the atmosphere will be irreparably damaged. Clean air, non-toxic atmospheric conditions, the growth of resources that can be relied on, water quality and cleanliness are the main benefits of sustainability.