3 Pillars of Sustainability
What are the 3 Pillars of Sustainability?
The concept of sustainable development is built on three fundamental pillars: People, Profit, and Planet. This framework, often called the "3 Pillars of Sustainability," was first described in the Brundtland Report of 1987. These pillars provide a comprehensive approach to balancing human needs with environmental preservation and economic growth.
In 2015, the United Nations enhanced this concept by establishing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs comprise 17 global objectives aimed at creating a sustainable future for all. They form the foundation for three interconnected dimensions of sustainable development:
1. Social Equity (People): Ensures fair access to resources and opportunities for all members of society, promoting social justice and inclusivity.
2. Economic Growth (Profit): Requires sufficient resources, labor, and capital to drive prosperity and improve living standards.
3. Environmental Sustainability (Planet): Promotes responsible resource use and environmental stewardship to preserve the Earth for future generations.
These dimensions are interdependent and must be pursued in balance. They provide a framework for nations to collaborate on achieving sustainable development across all sectors. The ultimate goal is to meet current societal needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own.
This holistic approach addresses present challenges while safeguarding long-term global well-being, creating a common future of sustainability for everyone. The SDGs serve as a roadmap for countries, organizations, and individuals to work towards this shared vision of a more sustainable world.
I grew up on an island in the Salish Sea situated in the Pacific Northwest. This was a place where I grew up seeing Orcas and seals. I collected June bugs and chased garter snakes in the yard. Now we still have the cabin but things have changed.
We still see the Orcas but the salmon are so much less abundant now, and garter snakes are few. And now there are floods in the area nearly every single winter. Because of climate change and a warming environment.
I worried about the environment so I studied with Blue Standard so I can help businesses become more sustainable in their practices. This can bring business your way if you choose to become certified as a Blue Standard Sustainable Business.
Sustainable Development
Corporate social responsibility is a growing trend in corporate headquarters. It attempts to utilize the three pillars of sustainability - economic, environmental, and social - as a guideline or guidepost for its corporate sustainability reporting.
It might also be called environmental and social sustainability reporting, or ESG. It is part of corporations wanting to become more socially responsible with their carbon footprint and in their communities, ultimately creating a more sustainable world for future generations and reaping the social benefits of serving the community and environment.
To comprehend the emerging ‘sustainable’ concept from the 80s in the mainstream, you have to examine the broader roots that led to the concept's creation. This has a confounded effect since most work where concept feeds to narratives has a long history in the language ‘sustainable'. Grober, Caradonna, and Du Pisani have helped shed light on an extensive range of early roots — including Grober and Caradonna.
Especially important were the forest experts of the 16th and 17th centuries - including Evelyn and Carlonwitz - who introduced sustainable yields in response to a decline in forest supplies in Europe (Warde 2011; Grober 2012).
Sustainable Websites
https://hdl.handle.net/10535%2F6499
https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:153452740
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sustainability
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Human_populations
For further reading from my website:
Sustainable Consultants
I am a certified member of the Blue Ocean Network.
PEOPLE: The Social Pillar of Sustainability
The "People" pillar of sustainability focuses on social equity, human well-being, and the development of thriving communities. It emphasizes the importance of considering human factors in business and development decisions. At its core, this pillar aims to ensure that the needs of individuals and societies are met fairly and sustainably.
In the business context, the People pillar manifests through various practices and initiatives. Companies prioritize employee well-being by offering fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for professional growth. They also engage with local communities, supporting initiatives that promote education, health, and cultural preservation.
Ethical business practices, including transparency and accountability, form a crucial part of this pillar, ensuring that organizations operate in a manner that respects human rights and dignity.
Diversity, inclusion, and social equity are key components of the People pillar. This involves creating inclusive workplaces, ensuring equal opportunities, and considering the needs of all stakeholders in decision-making processes. Companies also focus on work-life balance, offering flexible working arrangements where possible and promoting policies that support employees' personal lives.
By integrating these principles into their operations, businesses can contribute to sustainable development while fostering social progress and human well-being.
The People pillar recognizes that true sustainability can only be achieved when the needs and rights of individuals and communities are respected and supported alongside environmental and economic considerations.
PROFIT: The Economic Pillar of Sustainability
Economic Pillar of Sustainability
Economic sustainability focuses on promoting efficient and equitable use of resources to ensure long-term business viability and societal well-being. It goes beyond year-to-year profitability, emphasizing strategies that create lasting stability for businesses, employees, and communities.
Key aspects of economic sustainability include:
1. Resource Efficiency: Implementing responsible production methods, promoting recycled materials, and optimizing energy use to reduce costs and environmental impact.
2. Long-term Viability: Ensuring adequate resources, workforce, and consumer base for sustained operations.
3. Fair Distribution: Balancing profit motives with equitable resource allocation and fair labor practices.
4. Innovation: Rethinking economic systems to address contemporary challenges, including environmental concerns and social inequalities.
5. Responsible Growth: Balancing the drive for market dominance with sustainable practices, often exemplified by smaller companies prioritizing environmental sustainability.
6. Integrated Waste Management: Optimizing resource use through practices like integrated waste production and sales channels.
Economic sustainability intersects with environmental and social pillars. For instance, fair use of natural resources bridges economic and environmental concerns. Additionally, sustainable economic practices can drive progress in other areas of sustainable development.
The concept of economic sustainability has evolved from its roots in colonial resource exploitation to a more holistic view of material well-being and responsible development. This shift reflects growing awareness of the need to balance economic growth with environmental protection and social equity.
By adopting these principles, businesses can contribute to a more sustainable economic system that benefits both current and future generations.
PLANET: Environmental Pillar of Sustainability
The Environmental Pillar of Sustainability
The environmental pillar, often considered the most challenging aspect of the three pillars of sustainability, focuses on reducing the ecological impact of human activities and preserving the planet for future generations. This pillar, also known as environmental conservation, is crucial for achieving sustainable development and ensuring the long-term health of our planet.
Important Aspects:
1. Reducing Environmental Impact: Sustainable development involves minimizing the environmental footprint of an organization's facilities, products, and business operations. This includes efforts to reduce waste, conserve resources, and limit pollution.
2. Corporate Commitments: Many corporations have made significant sustainability promises in recent years. For example, Walmart has pledged to reach zero emissions by 2040, while Morgan Stanley aims for net-zero "financed emissions" by 2050.
3. Priority Areas: Companies often identify specific areas for achieving environmental sustainability, such as:
- Water conservation
- Sustainable farming of raw materials
- Eco-friendly manufacturing and distribution
- Energy consumption reduction
- Sustainable packaging solutions
4. Specific Goals: Organizations set tangible sustainability targets, like committing to zero-waste packaging by a certain year or reducing overall emissions by a specific percentage.
5. Preserving Natural Environments: A key focus is on avoiding deforestation and preserving biodiversity. This involves finding ways to prevent concentrations of waste and pollution that negatively impact biological processes.
6. Holistic Approach: The Environmental Protection Agency emphasizes that sustainable development and environmental factors are interconnected with social sustainability and economic prosperity.
Further Challenges and Considerations:
- The environmental pillar often requires significant changes in business practices and consumer behavior.
- There's a need to balance immediate economic concerns with long-term environmental preservation.
- Effective environmental sustainability strategies must address complex, interconnected global issues.
The environmental pillar of sustainability underscores the importance of preserving our planet's resources and ecosystems. It challenges individuals, businesses, and governments to adopt practices that protect the environment while meeting current needs, ensuring a habitable planet for future generations.
