Sustainability Flashcards
what are the two most commonly used definitions of sustainability?
~ development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
~ the right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet the development and environmental needs of present and future generations.
Businesses which incorporate the principles of sustainability may benefit from what?
~ resource efficiency - reduction of resources needed to run a business
~ impacts of climate change
~ risk management
~ attracting and retaining quality employees
Population Growth can be a problem why?
pressure on housing, education, public servces, clean water, warmth, food, shelter.
How can populations grow?
~ increase in birth rate
~ reduction in mortality rates
~ increase in immigration
~ unsustainable use of resources
Define Ecological Footprint
a measure of the demand of humans on the ecosystem of the Earth
It represents a standardised measure of the demand on nature for products, services etc and the planets ability to regenerate
Define Carbon Footprint
~ the total emissions of GHG’s produced both directly and indirectly from an individual, organisation, event or product
refers to the GHG’s produced over the full life cycle of a product from the extraction of raw materials to final disposal, recycling, recovery, etc of the product as waste and all stages in between
What are the elements (or scopes) of GHG covered by carbon footprint?
Scope 1 - direct emissions from the organisation
Scope 2 - indirect emissions from electricity, heat or steam bought and used and used by an organisation
Scope 3 - other indirect emissions out of the direct control of an organisation, such as outsourced transportation or employee commuting
What are the Five Capitals Model of Sustainable Development?
~ Natural
~ Human
~ Social
~ Manufactured/Built
~ Financial
What is Product Stewardship?
a concept that involve protection of the environment centering on a product. All those involved in the products life cycle have some responsibility for the impacts that the product could cause.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
came into force in December 1993 and has three main goals:
~ conservation of biological diversity (biodiversity)
~ sustainable use of its components
~ the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from genetic resources
The key objective of the CBD is what?
the development of national strategies to enable the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity
What are the elements of the CBD to help it achieve its objective?
~ co-operation
~ general measures
~ identification and monitoring
~ in situ observation
~ ex situ observation
~ sustainable use
~ research and training
~ impact assessment and monitoring
What is the function of the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA)2006?
to promote the expansion and diversification of the international trade in tropical timber from forests that are sustainably managed and legally harvested
How does the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) regulate trade in tropical timber?
~ providing a framework for consultation, international co-operation and policy development
~ contributing to sustainable development and poverty alleviation
~ promoting and supporting research and development
~ promoting increased and further processing of timber gained from suitable sources
~ encouraging members to support and develop tropical timber reforestation
~ strengthen the ability of members to improve forestry law enforcement and governance and tom address illegal logging
~ encourage members to recognise the role of forest-dependent indigenous and local communities and develop strategies to enhance the capacity of the communities
Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage 1972
it is a key agreement that aims to provide protection of:
~ ‘cultural heritage’ - monuments/buildings/archeological sites
~ ‘natural heritage’ = natural features of physical and biological formations
Framework Convention on Climate Change 1994
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1994
Kyoto Protocol
The Paris Agreement
Kyoto Protocol
The Paris Agreement
What is Agenda 21?
LA21 - for each local authority to draw up its own local agenda (LA21) strategy following consultation about what is important for the area.
UN Global Compact
international movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders who support companies to undertake business in a responsible manner. By:
Principle 7 - businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges
Principle 8 - undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility
Principle 9 - encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies
UN Sustainable Development Goals and Targets
Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development:
~ commitment to develop sustainable development goals (SDG’s) covering the elements of sustainable development (social, economic and environmental)
~ recognition of the key role of the green economy as a massive economic opportunity that countries should adapt to in the future
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development?
a set of sustainable development goals and targets developed at UN sustainable development summit in Sept 2015 for the general categories people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership
