Sustainable Development

What is Sustainable Development?

Development that meets the needs of the present without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. For a business it means operating so that the resources, environment, workforce skills and community relationships it depends on are not consumed faster than they can be renewed. Contributions include resource efficiency, waste reduction, renewable energy, durable product design, responsible sourcing and pollution control. It is broader than recycling, which addresses only one stage of one flow of materials.

This definition is part of the External Influences on Business Activity chapter in Cambridge O Level Business Studies.

Concepts related to Sustainable Development

• resource efficiency
• renewable energy
• responsible sourcing
• durable design

Common mistakes with Sustainable Development

• “Sustainable development means recycling.” Fix Recycling is one contribution. Sustainable development is meeting present needs while protecting the ability of future generations to meet theirs — which also covers energy sources, product durability, sourcing and emissions.