What is Sustainability?

“Building a world where we meet our own needs without denying future generations a healthy society is not impossible, as some would assert. The question is where societies choose to put their creative efforts.” — Christopher Flavin

During my time at Microsoft, I realized that to effectively work on sustainability, I needed a clear and concise definition of what sustainability truly means.

This helped me to engage others and encourage them to take actionable steps towards sustainability.

By breaking down the concept of sustainability into simple terms, I was able to facilitate a deeper understanding and promote meaningful progress towards a more sustainable future.

With everybody focused on sustainability, I thought it would be a good idea to step into what is sustainability and what is sustainability in business and how leaders can get started, if they haven’t already.

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is a critical concept for our planet’s future, as it addresses the urgent need to shift from short-term thinking to long-term planning and decision-making, and to create a world that is equitable, just, and sustainable for all.

Here is the most common definition of sustainability I use:

“Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Imagine a world where the air is clean, the water is pure, and the forests are thriving.  A world where the economy is thriving and communities are thriving.

This is the world of sustainability, where environmental protection, economic prosperity, and social equity are interdependent and equally important.  In this world, business is not just about making a profit, but also about making a positive impact on the world.

Sustainability involves balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations to ensure that resources are used in a way that is both responsible and equitable.  In other words, sustainability aims to ensure that natural resources and the environment are used in a responsible and sustainable manner so that they can be preserved for future generations.

The goal of sustainability to find ways to live and operate in a manner that is environmentally responsible, economically viable, and socially just, so that future generations can thrive.

Where did the Term Sustainability Come from?

You can trace the roots of the sustainability movement back to social justice, conservationism, and other past movements, with the call for “sustainable development” emerging in the late 20th century.

In 1983, the United Nations formed the World Commission on Environment and Development, led by former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, which released its final report, Our Common Future, defining sustainable development as meeting present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs.

This concept successfully brought together environmentalism with social and economic concerns on the global development agenda, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that considers ecological, social, and economic dimensions together to achieve lasting prosperity.

What is Sustainability According to Other Sources?

Whenever I’m trying to really understand a term, I like to learn from multiple sources and multiple definitions to better understand the nuances of the term.  Plus, I find that some definitions and descriptions stick with me far better than others.

Here are a few additional ways to define what is sustainability:

• “Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.” — Dictionary
• “The study of how natural systems function, remain diverse and produce everything it needs for the ecology to remain in balance. It also acknowledges that human civilization takes resources to sustain our modern way of life.” — EnvironmentalScience.org
• “Sustainability is the practice of using natural resources responsibly, so they can support both present and future generations.” — National Geographic Society
• “Sustainability is concerned with protecting the planet, halting climate change and promoting social development, without endangering life on Earth or leaving anyone behind. This concept seeks to cover our present needs without compromising resources for future generations.” — ActiveSustainabilty.com

What is Sustainability vs. Sustainable Development?

While the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development are closely related and often used interchangeably, UNESCO differentiates the two by stating that sustainability is viewed as a long-term objective, whereas sustainable development refers to the various processes and routes to attain it.

UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It is a specialized agency of the United Nations that aims to promote international collaboration through education, science, and culture in order to build a more peaceful, equitable, and sustainable world.

What are the 3 Pillars of Sustainability?

The three pillars of sustainability represent the three interdependent and equally important dimensions of sustainability:

1. Environmental sustainability: This refers to practices that aim to reduce the negative impact of human activities on the environment and preserve the health of ecosystems for future generations. This includes issues such as climate change, pollution, waste management, and resource conservation.
2. Economic sustainability: This refers to practices that aim to ensure that economic growth and development are balanced with environmental protection, social equity, and long-term economic viability. This includes issues such as economic growth, job creation, and financial stability.
3. Social sustainability: This refers to practices that aim to ensure that communities and individuals have access to basic needs, such as food, shelter, and healthcare, while also promoting social justice and equality. This includes issues such as education, health, and human rights.

The three pillars of sustainability are interdependent, and achieving sustainability requires a balance between all three dimensions.

For example, environmental sustainability may be impacted by economic and social factors, while economic sustainability may depend on access to natural resources and the health of the environment.

What is ESG?

ESG is often seen as a holistic approach to evaluating a company’s sustainability and responsibility, and it is becoming an increasingly important factor for companies to consider as they work to meet the expectations of their stakeholders and contribute to a more sustainable future.

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. It refers to a set of criteria used to evaluate a company’s performance in areas that are considered to be important for sustainable and responsible business practices.

1. Environmental: This refers to a company’s impact on the environment and its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, minimize waste, and conserve resources.
2. Social: This refers to a company’s impact on society and its efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as human rights, labor standards, and community engagement.
3. Governance: This refers to a company’s internal management structure, including its board of directors, executive leadership, and policies and procedures for ethical and responsible decision-making.

ESG criteria are becoming increasingly important to investors, as they look to make investment decisions that align with their values and contribute to a sustainable future.

Many investors use ESG data and ratings to evaluate companies and make informed investment decisions, and there is growing interest in ESG-themed investment funds that focus on companies with strong ESG practices.

What is the Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet, Profit)?

The Triple Bottom Line is a way of creating a more resilient, responsible, and profitable future for all stakeholders.

The triple bottom line (TBL) is a framework that takes into account the economic, social, and environmental performance of a company. It is a way of evaluating business success not just in terms of financial profits but also in terms of its impact on society and the environment.

The three elements of the TBL are often referred to as “people, planet, profit.” The “people” and “planet” elements refer to the company’s social and environmental impact. The “profit” element refers to the financial performance of the company.

The TBL framework recognizes that business success should not come at the expense of social and environmental responsibility. By balancing economic, social, and environmental factors, companies can create long-term value for all stakeholders, including customers, employees, shareholders, and the wider community.

Overall, the triple bottom line is a framework that encourages companies to adopt sustainable business practices by balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations.

How Do ESG, Triple Bottom Line and People, Planet, Profit Relate?

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and Triple Bottom Line (TBL) are two frameworks used to evaluate business sustainability and impact. The People, Planet, Profit (PPP) concept is a specific application of the TBL framework.

All three frameworks recognize the importance of balancing economic, social, and environmental factors for sustainable business success.

• ESG: ESG considers a company’s performance in three main areas: environmental impact, social responsibility, and corporate governance. It is used by investors to evaluate a company’s sustainability and to identify potential risks and opportunities. ESG factors are increasingly important to investors who are interested in investing in companies that prioritize sustainability and have a positive impact on society.
• Triple Bottom Line: TBL is a broader framework that considers a company’s impact in three areas: economic, social, and environmental. The three pillars of TBL are often referred to as “profits, people, and planet.” This framework evaluates a company’s success not just in terms of financial performance (profit), but also in terms of its impact on society (people) and the environment (planet).
• People, Planet, Profit: PPP is a specific application of the TBL framework that prioritizes the people, planet, and profit elements. It is a way of measuring a company’s success in terms of how well it balances economic, social, and environmental factors. The PPP framework emphasizes the importance of a company’s impact on people and the planet in addition to its financial performance.

What is Sustainability in Business?

Sustainability in business refers to the practice of conducting business in a manner that balances economic, social, and environmental considerations to create long-term value for all stakeholders.

This means that companies must consider the impact of their operations on the environment, their employees, their customers, and the communities in which they operate, and take steps to minimize negative impacts and maximize positive outcomes.

Sustainability can encompass a wide range of activities and initiatives, including reducing carbon emissions and waste, promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, engaging in ethical and responsible business practices, and supporting sustainable development in local communities.

Companies that adopt sustainable business practices are able to create value for their stakeholders, reduce their environmental footprint, and improve their reputation and brand image.

In recent years, corporate sustainability has become an increasingly important issue for companies, as consumers and investors demand greater accountability and transparency from businesses.

Sustainable business practices can include investing in renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting resource efficiency, developing environmentally friendly products, adopting fair labor practices, and engaging with local communities. By focusing on sustainability, companies can create a more resilient, responsible, and profitable future for all.

What is Sustainability in Business According to Harvard Business School?

Sustainability in business involves conducting business without negatively impacting the environment or society and is achieved through a sustainable business strategy that considers a range of environmental, economic, and social factors to make positive contributions to these areas, while avoiding long-term liabilities from short-term profits.

Here’s how Harvard Business School puts it:

“In business, sustainability refers to doing business without negatively impacting the environment, community, or society as a whole.

Sustainability in business generally addresses two main categories:

1. The effect business has on the environment
2. The effect business has on society

The goal of a sustainable business strategy is to make a positive impact on at least one of those areas. When companies fail to assume responsibility, the opposite can happen, leading to issues like environmental degradation, inequality, and social injustice.

Sustainable businesses consider a wide array of environmental, economic, and social factors when making business decisions. These organizations monitor the impact of their operations to ensure that short-term profits don’t turn into long-term liabilities.”

What is Corporate Sustainability?

Sustainability in business is essentially the same as corporate sustainability.  Both terms refer to the practices and strategies that companies adopt to minimize their negative impact on the environment and society, while also maximizing their positive impact.

Both concepts involve balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations to create long-term value for all stakeholders.

Corporate sustainability is a term used to describe the practices and strategies that companies adopt to ensure their long-term viability while contributing to sustainable development. It involves managing business operations in a way that is socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and economically profitable.

Sustainability in business is a broader concept that encompasses corporate sustainability and refers to the adoption of practices and strategies that support sustainable development in general. This includes the management of the entire value chain, from the sourcing of raw materials to the disposal of waste and the promotion of sustainable practices throughout the industry.

While the terms corporate sustainability and sustainability in business are often used interchangeably, corporate sustainability tends to be more focused on the internal operations of a single company, while sustainability in business can be broader and encompass the practices and strategies that impact the entire industry or sector.

However, the ultimate goal of both concepts is to create a sustainable future for all stakeholders.

What are the Benefits of Business Sustainability?

There are several benefits of business sustainability for companies, employees, customers, and society as a whole, including:

1. Improved financial performance: Companies that adopt sustainable business practices can improve their financial performance by reducing costs associated with energy and waste, and by increasing efficiency and productivity.
2. Enhanced reputation and brand image: Companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability can improve their reputation and brand image, attracting more customers and investors who are looking for socially and environmentally responsible businesses.
3. Increased employee engagement and retention: Companies that prioritize sustainability often have more engaged and motivated employees who are proud to work for an organization that is doing good in the world.
4. Better stakeholder relationships: Companies that embrace sustainability can build stronger relationships with stakeholders, including customers, employees, and communities, by demonstrating their commitment to creating a better future for everyone.
5. Compliance with regulations and standards: Companies that adopt sustainable business practices are more likely to be in compliance with environmental and social regulations and standards, reducing the risk of fines and penalties.
6. Mitigation of risk and liability: Companies that adopt sustainable business practices can mitigate their risk and liability by reducing the negative impact of their operations on the environment and communities.
7. Contribution to a sustainable future: Companies that embrace sustainability can play a positive role in creating a more sustainable future, helping to reduce the impact of human activities on the environment and promote economic and social equity.

Business sustainability offers a range of benefits for companies, employees, customers, and society as a whole, and represents an important step towards creating a more sustainable and responsible future.

Embracing Sustainability: The Path to a Brighter and More Sustainable Future

Sustainability is about creating a better future for all. It is about balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations to create long-term value for companies, employees, customers, and communities.

By embracing sustainability, businesses can not only reduce their impact on the environment and improve their financial performance, but also play a positive role in creating a more sustainable future for all.

Let’s work together to build a world that is environmentally responsible, economically prosperous, and socially equitable for generations to come.

How Can Leaders Get Started with Sustainability in an Actionable Way?

Getting started with sustainability requires a commitment from leaders to prioritize sustainability and take concrete actions to achieve sustainability goals.

Leaders can get started with sustainability in an actionable way by taking the following steps:

1. Assess their current sustainability performance: Leaders should start by assessing their current sustainability performance. This can involve conducting an environmental audit to identify areas where the company can reduce its environmental impact and evaluating the social impact of the company’s operations.
2. Set sustainability goals: Based on the assessment, leaders should set specific and measurable sustainability goals. These goals should be aligned with the company’s vision and mission and take into account the needs of stakeholders.
3. Develop a sustainability strategy: Leaders should develop a sustainability strategy that outlines the actions the company will take to achieve its sustainability goals. The strategy should include specific initiatives, timelines, and responsible parties.
4. Engage employees and stakeholders: Leaders should engage employees and stakeholders in the sustainability efforts. This can involve providing education and training on sustainable practices and encouraging employees to suggest ideas for improving sustainability performance. Stakeholder engagement can involve consulting with customers, suppliers, and local communities to identify shared sustainability goals and collaborate on sustainability initiatives.
5. Measure and report sustainability performance: Leaders should regularly measure and report on the company’s sustainability performance. This can involve tracking metrics such as carbon emissions, waste reduction, and community impact, and reporting progress to stakeholders.
6. Continuously improve sustainability performance: Sustainability is a continuous process, and leaders should continuously evaluate and improve their sustainability performance. This can involve regularly reviewing and updating sustainability goals and strategies, and seeking feedback from stakeholders.

By taking these steps, leaders can create a more sustainable future for their company and society as a whole.

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