Introduction Flashcards
What is sustainability?
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Important:
- Needs: environmental, economic and social.
- Generation: long term view
Definition of Strategies for sustainable development
A coordinated set of participatory and continuously improving processes of analysis, debate, capacity-strengthening, planning and investment, which integrates the economic, social and environmental objectives of society, seeking trade offs where this isn’t possible.
Elements to take into account in sustainability strategies
- Definition of goals and targets
- Knowledge of the state of the art
- Political and legislative support
- Economic support
- Monitoring tools
What is needed to create efficient sustainability strategies?
- Targets and objectives
- Indicators, data and databases
- Funds and incentives
- Expertise, methodologies, technologies and tools
- Standards, limits, threshold, benchmark
Adjusted Maslow’s pyramid for sustainable development
Top: Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment - Eco- / Resource efficiency - Life Cycle Assessment - Carbon and Water footprint Bottom: Life Cycle Thinking
What are Stakeholders?
Any person, group or organisation who can be positively or negatively impacted by, or cause an impact on, the actions or activities proposed.
Stakeholder identification based on…
- Importance
- Influence
- Strengths
- Special considerations
- Resources
- Networks
- Engagement level
- Communication
- Stage
- Type
“Identify Stakeholders”
Process description
- Describe the purpose of the “Identify Stakeholders” process
- Describe the inputs, tools & techniques and outputs of the “Identify Stakeholders” process
- Identify who the key stakeholders would be for a typical project
“Identify Stakeholders”
Tools & Techniques
- Stakeholder analysis: gathering and assessing information to determine whose interests should be taken into account for a project.
- Expert judgement from any qualified source.
Definition of Sustainability in Companies
Adoption of business strategies and activities that meet the needs of the enterprise and its stakeholders today while protecting, sustaining and enhancing the human and natural resources that will be needed in the future.
Why is Sustainability Reporting done?
- Way for organizations to manage their impact on sustainable development.
- Organizations have a responsibility and a great ability to exert positive change on the world’s economy and environmental and social conditions.
Importance of Sustainability Reporting
- Self-assessment tool
- Management system
- External monitoring mechanism
- Action plan
- Business development tool
- Communications vehicle
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
It’s one of the world’s most prevalent standardized protocol for sustainability reporting.
Also known as: ecological footprint reporting, Environmental Social Governance reporting (ESG), Triple Bottom Line reporting (TBL) and Corporate Social Responsibility reporting (CSR).
Sustainability Reporting
Definition
Form of value reporting where an organization publicly communicates their economic, environmental and social performance.
Sustainable Communities or Sustainability in Communities
Places where people want to live and work, now and in the future.
They meet the needs of existing and future residents, are sensitive to their environment and contribute to a high quality of life.
They are safe and inclusive, well planned, built and run, and offer equality of opportunity and good services for all.
