8.1 Sustainable Development

Design

Sustainability

The long term maintenance of responsibility which has environmental, economic and social dimensions, all about the capacity to maintain and endure.

Sustainable Development

Meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

SDG goals with sustainable development

They want economies to grow, companies to thrive, and people to have decent work. So to create new innovative technologies but without harming the environment.

Primark and sustainable development

They ensure that all of its clothing is made using recycled, sustainably sourced materials, they design clothes that strengthen their durability, so they last longer. They also halve their carbon emissions across its value chain, and they pursue a living wage for its workers in their supply chain.

Ways to promote Sustainable development

Triple bottom line, Decoupling, product stewardship, and sustainable reporting

Triple bottom line

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

Society

jobs, equity and standard of living

Economics

cost savings, profit and growth

Environment

biodiversity, natural resource and waste prevention practices.

Decoupling

Two trends that disconnect so one no longer depends on the other, using resources more productively and re-designing production systems. ex: When economic growth is no longer tied to environmental damage, businesses can continue to grow without having a negative impact on the environment and depleting resources.

Resource decoupling

Being more efficient with the resources available

Impact decoupling

use processes that reduce the negative effects on the environment and society while still allowing for economic growth.

Levels of decoupling

No decoupling, relative decoupling, and absolute decoupling

No decoupling

When economic output and resources grow at the same rate

Relative decoupling

When economic output grows faster than resource use, indicating improved efficiency.

Absolute decoupling

When economic output increases without a corresponding increase in resource use, demonstrating significant efficiency improvements.

International sustainable laws

Regulations aimed at promoting sustainability, and encourage companies to not simply focus on profits and stakeholder interests, but to ensure that each country enforces domestic legislation in a transparent way. Allowing countries to ensure its businesses, public services and national resources and survive in its own realistic landscape.

Examples of sustainable laws

Paris climate change conference (reducing greenhouse gas emissions), kyoto protocal (reduction in pollution and increase use of renewable energy)

Sustainable reporting

company report that focuses on 4 aspects: economic, social, environmental and governance. It provides information on how that company may be addressing issues like reducing its carbon footprint, improving working conditions, and ensuring ethical business practices.

Governance

ways rules, decisions and actions are structured

Reporting benefits on Governments

They can clearly see what issues are being tackled and which are not. It gives them information that can drive progress in the right areas, drives compliance through legislation,

Reporting benefits on manufacturers

It can be used for marketing, to drive innovation, to promote positive social reputation/branding, and can lead to economic savings.

Reporting benefits on consumers

Allows trust within a brand, cheaper solutions, more innovative options available , and informed purchasing decisions.

Product Stewardship

A sustainable development strategy in which everyone is involved in the making, selling and handling of the products (equipment), take full responsibility for minimizing environmental impact all all stages of the life cycle. From design to production to disposal.