Sustainability Lecture Review

Flashcards for reviewing key concepts from a lecture on sustainability, covering definitions, principles, pillars, and sustainable development goals.

Sustainability

A process that aims for economic growth while ensuring environmental protection and social inclusion. The ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It encompasses environmental health, social equity, and economic viability.

Key Principles of Sustainability

Ensuring fair access to resources and opportunities, responsible use of natural resources, recognizing interdependence of systems, encouraging sustainable practices, promoting resilience, and long-term perspective.

Pillars of Sustainability

Environmental, Social, and Economic.

Environmental Sustainability

Preservation and protection of natural resources and ecosystems, ensuring human activities do not compromise the health of the planet.

Economic Sustainability

Create economic systems that provide for current needs without compromising the future generation’s ability to meet theirs, promoting long-term economic growth and stability.

Social Sustainability

Emphasizes the importance of social equity, community development, and the well-being of individuals, fostering a fair and inclusive society.

Social Viability

Ensures that economic systems can sustain themselves over time, promoting growth and development without depleting resources

Social Equitability

Ensures that all individuals and communities benefit from sustainable practices, fostering social cohesion and stability.

Social Bearability

Ensures that ecological systems remain healthy and resilient, preventing degradation that could threaten both the environment and human survival.

Environmental Pillar

Greenhouse gasses emission, Usage of natural resources, Waste management, Energy efficiency, Usage of renewable energies, Recycling policies, Conservation of biodiversity, (Inter)national environmental certifications and regulations, ISO14001 Environmental impact.

Economic Pillar

Financial stability, Long-term growth, Ability to generate sustainable benefits, Investment in technology and innovation for improving efficiency and reduce costs, Transparency in financial management and fiscal accountability.

Social Pillar

Contribution to local communities development, Social responsibility programs, Work conditions, Equality of opportunities, Work rights, Implementation of policies for inclusion and diversity.

Sustainable Development Goals

17 interconnected goals adopted in 2015 aimed at addressing global challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Greenwashing Example (McDonald's)

Annual waste production: Approximately 150,000 tons of packaging waste globally. Single-use plastics: Despite the straw initiative, a significant portion of McDonald’s packaging still relies on single-use plastics. Food waste: An estimated 8–10% of food purchased by McDonald’s becomes waste, adding to landfills and methane emissions.

Overall SDG Score

Measures the total progress towards achieving all 17 SDGs. A score of 100 indicates that all SDGs have been achieved.