Sustainability is becoming more and more important in our everyday life. But do you know what is meant by this and what big businesses and smaller companies do to be considered "sustainable".
Definition
Sustainability means meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In addition to natural resources, we also need social and economic resources. Sustainability is not just environmentalism. Embedded in most definitions of sustainability we also find concerns for social equity and economic development.
Sustainability and economy
Economic sustainability deals with the economic aspects of sustainability. This includes the areas of general sustainability, social sustainability, ecological sustainability, sustainable business processes and welfare economics.
At first glance, economics and sustainability seem like two areas that don't really fit together. However, if we continue to deplete our non-renewable resources at a steady rate, this can become quite critical for the basis of the economy and our livelihood.
At the same time, economic development with sufficiently strong economic growth is needed to reduce poverty, for example, and to drive research into renewable energies or innovative approaches to environmental protection. It is important here that the economy benefits all sections of the population equally and invests in the protection of our environment.
Companies in particular have an even greater influence on world affairs as a result of globalization: They build factories, employ hundreds of thousands and can support local suppliers, for example. It is therefore more important that companies focus much more on a sustainable structure in the future.
Examples of sustainable ways in economy
Supermarket chains no longer offer plastic bags, from 2021 straws, cotton buds and other disposable plastic products will be banned in the EU, and more and more green start-ups are developing innovative ideas to make public transport in cities more environmentally friendly, for example with the help of electric mobility. Countries are investing huge amounts of money to support sustainability and research on environmental protection. Austria for instance attaches importance to sustainable tourism, as tourism is an important source of income for the country.
What do you personally do to live more sustainable?
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