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Sustainability – what is it?

Hans Carl von Carlowitz is considered to be the father of term “sustainability”. His book entitled “Sylvicultura oeconomica oder hauswirthliche Nachricht und Naturmäßige Anweisung zur Wilden Baum-Zucht (1713)” described “sustainable” forestry. Back then, the term was used to mean that only as much wood may be removed from a forest as can grow back again. Sustainability has been the object of increased attention since the start of the seventies when the Club of Rome published its “Limits to Growth” study, in which the shortage of raw materials and risks of unbridled economic and population growth were discussed in detail for the first time.

The concept of sustainability is generally understood to comprise three components, also referred to as the three pillar model.

Ecological sustainability refers to the aim of preserving nature and the environment for future generations. This includes the preservation of biodiversity, climate protection, the maintenance of cultural and natural areas in their original form and, in general, treating the natural environment with care.

Economic sustainability postulates that the economic situation provides a permanent and sound basis for earning and prosperity. In this context, protecting economic resources from exploitation is of particular importance.

Social sustainability views the development of society as a way of enabling all members of a community to participate. This includes the balancing of social forces with the goal of achieving a society which is permanently sustainable and worth living in.

The most common and well-known modern definition of the term was developed by the Brundtland Commission of the United Nations in 1987:

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (World Commission on Environment and Development, UNO, 1987)

This highlights very clearly that intergenerational fairness is the central aspect of the concept of sustainability. Those who act in a sustainable manner pass on a world that is also worth living in to future generations. An understanding that is shared by DekaBank.