1.3 Sustainability

Sustainability

use of global resources at a rate that allows natural regeneration and minimises damage to the environment, meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own

Natural capital

natural resources/ecosystems that can produce a sustainable natural income

Natural income

yield/products obtained from natural capital

Renewable natural capital

natural capital that replenishes itself, sustainable if income doesn't exceed regeneration rate

Non-renewable natural capital

finite natural capital that doesn't regenerate on human timescales

Environmental sustainability

maintaining natural capital as both a resource provider and a sink for waste

Sustainable development

development that meets present needs without compromising future generations, considering environmental, social, and economic factors together

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

a tool used to assess/predict the possible environmental impacts of a proposed project before it goes ahead

Ecological footprint

area of land and water required to sustainably provide all resources at the rate they're being consumed, and to absorb all associated waste

Biocapacity

the capacity of an area to provide resources and absorb waste, given current technology and management

Ecological deficit

when ecological footprint exceeds biocapacity — unsustainable

Ecological reserve

when ecological footprint is less than biocapacity — sustainable