Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP

It’s Not Just Saving the World

The history of Sustainability

Sustainability was first defined in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Decades later, in 2002, the World Summit on Sustainable Development articulated three objects of sustainable development: (1) to eradicate poverty; (2) to protect natural resources; and (3) to change unsustainable production and consumption patterns.

In 2005, Hargroves & Smith enumerated several principles to guide sustainability. These are:

  1. Dealing transparently and systemically with risk, uncertainty and irreversibility.
  2. Ensuring appropriate valuation, appreciation and restoration of nature.
  3. Integration of environmental, social, human and economic goals in policies and activities.
  4. Equal opportunity and community participation/Sustainable community.
  5. Conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity.
  6. Ensuring inter-generational equity.
  7. Recognizing the global integration of localities.
  8. A commitment to best practice.
  9. No net loss of human capital or natural capital.
  10. The principle of continuous improvement.
  11. The need for good governance.

K. Hargroves and M. Smith (Eds.). The Natural Advantage of Nations: Business Opportunities, Innovation and Governance in the 21st Century. (2005).

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