Sustainability 101

Indigenous people have practiced sustainability for thousands of years, but the concept didn’t become mainstream in modern western societies until the 1950s. 

Corporate sustainability was first imagined as an extension of a social contract between businesses and people. Sociologists and economists encouraged ethical company practices, but the environment was not a primary concern. Over the coming decades, economic growth continued to be prioritized over the environment and the needs of future generations. 

The approaches of corporate citizenship and corporate social responsibility suggest that companies have social and ethical responsibilities. However, companies sometimes prioritize their own financial interests over the public good. It is also common for companies to present their activities as sustainable when the opposite is true. 

“Greenwashing” is a term used to describe marketing practices that purposely mislead audiences to believe that a product or company is environmentally-friendly. 

The ESG approach (environmental, social and governance measures) was put forth after a 2004 UN call to make large businesses responsible in a measurable capacity. However, some corporations continue to fight back against governmental oversight and accountability standards.

Drivers of climate sustainability:

There are four main categories of factors that drive climate sustainability: environmental, socio-economic, technological, and policy. 

Human activities directly and indirectly impact Earth’s ecosystems. Pollution is one example of an environmental pressure, as it infects the air and water that are required for life. It causes disease in plants and livestock, which are passed onto the people who consume them. As the human population continues to grow, there is a higher demand for resources– especially food and clean water. Without sustainable production, starvation and thirst will spread. 

High-consumption lifestyles are common in the Global North. Economic sectors such as fashion are resource-intensive and produce massive amounts of waste. A circular economy protects people’s jobs while also cutting down on unsustainable practices. 

Responsible technological developments in renewable energy and other green fields can also support economic growth.International and national government regulations are important for setting and upholding sustainability standards. We’ll learn more about some landmark policies in the next chapter.