IB Design Technology HL - Topic 8 (Sustainability)

Bottom-up strategies

Bottom-up strategies

At its most basic, this is the piecing together of components or systems in order to give rise to a more complex system or product. From a corporate strategy perspective, a bottom up strategy methodology means that the leadership level will determine the overall goals, but the workforce will assist in developing the mechanisms and ideas to meet that goal.

Datschefski's five principles of sustainable design

Five principles that facilitate a holistic approach to sustainable design: Cyclic; Solar; Safe; Efficient; Social.

Decoupling

Disconnecting two trends so that one no longer depends on the other. Through the act of decoupling (using resources more productively and redesigning production systems), it is technically possible to deliver the same or equivalent goods and services with lower environmental impact while maintaining social and equity benefits.

Eco-champion

Individuals or groups that champion environmental issues within organizations.

Eco-fan

Individuals or groups that champion environmental issues within organizations.

Eco-labelling

The labelling of products to demonstrate that they are better for the environment than other products.

Eco-phobe

Individuals or groups that actively resent talk of environmental protection.

Eco-warrior

Individuals or groups that actively demonstrate on environmental issues.

Energy labelling

The labelling of products to show how energy efficient they are. The label displays information in four categories: the product's details; Energy classification that shows the product's electrical consumption; Measurements relating to consumption, efficiency and capacity etc.; Noise emitted from the product when in use.

Energy security

The uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.

Ethical consumerism

The practice of consciously purchasing products and services produced in a way that minimises social and environmental damage, while avoiding those that have a negative impact on society and the environment.

Lifestyle consumerism

A social and economic order and ideology that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever greater amounts.

Macro energy sustainability

Macro energy sustainability involves large scale energy generation from non-exhaustive sources for international, national or large community use. Examples include hydroelectric power, wind, wave and geothermal energy generation.

Pressure groups

Collections of individuals who hold a similar viewpoint on a particular topic, for example the environment, who take action to promote positive change to meet their goals.

Product stewardship

Everyone involved in making, selling, buying or handling electronic equipment takes responsibility for minimizing environmental impact of the equipment at all stages in the life cycle.

Smart grids

A modernised electrical grid that uses analogue or digital information and communications technology to gather and act on information (such as behaviours of suppliers and consumers) in an automated fashion to improve the efficiency, reliability, economics and sustainability of the production and distribution of electricity. They can be national or international. International grids allow electricity generated in one country to be used in another.

Sustainability reporting

A company report that focusses on four aspects of performance: Economic; Environmental; Social; and Governance.

Sustainable consumption

The consumption of goods and services that have minimal environmental impact, promote social equity and economically viable, whilst meeting basic human needs worldwide.

Sustainable design

Designing physical objects and services in accordance with the principles of social, economic, and environmental sustainability

Sustainable development

 Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Take-back legislation

Laws that require manufacturers to 'take-back' packaging and products at the end of use, requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for their disposal. Reasons for this legislation include to encourage the design of products and packaging that are easily and efficiently recycled, and to reduce waste.

Top-down strategies

At its most basic, this is the breaking down of a system into component parts. From a corporate strategy perspective, a top-down strategy means that the leadership level will determine the goals and how each department and/or individual employees will contribute to meet those goals.

Triple bottom line sustainability

An expanded spectrum of values and criteria for measuring organizational success: economic, environmental and social.