Sustainability Flashcards
Define sustainability
Ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level; Avoidance of depletion of natural recourses in order to maintain an ecological balance.
Is viewed as a target goal of human equilibrium.
Sustainable development
Holistic approach and temporal processes that lead us to end point of sustainability.
How do buisnesses promote sustainability?
- Cutting emissions.
- Lower energy usage.
- Sourcing products from fair trade organisations.
- Ensure physical waste is properly disposed.
- Reduce carbon footprint.
Sustainable patterns of living
A lifestyle that attempts to reduce society’s use of Earth natural recourses and personal recourses. Attempt to reduce carbon footprint.
Individual stratergies for to support sustainable use of recources
- Solar panels
- Boomerang bags
- Recycling bins
- Solar passive housing
- Grey water systems
- Buying electrical appliances with 5-star energy ratings
- Bamboo toothbrushes
Community stratergies to to support sustainable use of recources
- Wind turbine
- Windmills
- Watermills
- Geothermal turbine
- Council recycling
- Community gardens
- Ban on plastic shopping bags
- Public transport
- Waste collection
- Environmental services and infrastructure
Draw the 5 capitals model
Describe the 5 capitals model
- 5 types of sustainable capital from which we derive goods and services we need to improve life quality.
- Allows organisations to develop a vision of what sustainability looks like for its own operations, products and services, which can be developed by considering what an organisation needs to do in order to maximise level of each capital.
- Considers impact of its actives on each capital in an integrated way to avoid trade-offs.
Natural capital
- Source renewable energy where possible.
- Limit use of finite resources, including water usage, in operation of initiative.
- Be respectful of natural environment, including animal habitats, and do not overuse resources.
Human capital
- Engagement of individuals with skill set required to perform tasks.
- Encourage participation of individuals to involve themselves in program to build skills and knowledge.
- Create opportunities for like-minded people to engage in satisfying work.
Social capital
- Educate community on importance of supporting initiatives.
- Treat volunteers and employers ethically and fairly.
- Respect and comply with laws that apply in place where initiative is occurring.
- Communicate effectively and encourage active engagement and participation.
Manufactured capital
- Maintain equipment for enhanced performance over time.
- Reduce, reuse and recycle where possible.
- Ensure waste is kept to a minimum.
- Use spaces that are multi-purpose.
- Use resources as efficiently as possible.
Financial capital
- Ensure any wealth created is distributed back into organisation or in a fair and equitable manner.
- Source grants and donations where possible to lower overall cost of initiative to general public.
- Take advantage of rebates.
Application of capital model on sustainable development to a childcare centre
Natural:
- Clearing of natural environment to make way to build childcare centers.
- Using cleared trees to make a nature playground.
- Re- location of natural fauna.
Social capital:
- Community involvement in planning/consultation.
- Employing local community members.
- Volunteers
- Families involved in childcare centers (Christmas concert, Mother’s Day).
- Education of childcare workers.
Human capital:
- Minimum wage of employees.
- Fair treatment/working conditions of employees and children.
Manufactured capital:
- Tools used to build center.
- Tools used to maintain center over time.
- Sustainable materials/methods.
Financial capital:
- Government subsidies (childcare rebates).
- Solar panels and water tanks – reduce financial capital in future.
Tripple bottom line
- Companies commit to focus on social + environmental concerns as they do profit.
- Instead of 1 bottom line, three: profit, people, planet.
Gauges a corporation’s commitment, to social and environmental responsibility. - Responsibility of companies - impact on environment over time.
- Created by John Elkington 1994.
- Companies used to measure bottom line (economic factors). Now companies measure triple bottom line (social, economic, environmental).