Sustainability

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

• Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
• Using, conserving and enhancing the community’s resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased

Question 2

Key Terms of Sustainability

Answer 2

o Assimilative capacity
• The ability of an ecosystem to restore itself
• Capacity to receive waste without long-term effects or damage to the function of the system
• Finite – once exceeded, the ecosystem can collapse or change state
o Biodiversity
o Ecosystem resilience

Question 3

Precautionary Principle

Answer 3

See table in notes

Question 4

Polluter pays principle

Answer 4

o The costs associated with emissions/pollution should be borne by those who cause the pollution

Question 5

Regulation: Long term sequence

Answer 5

See graph in notes

Question 6

Measuring Sustainability

Answer 6

o Indicators / metrics
• A set of quantitative measurements that allows a report on operations in regards to sustainable objectives
• Continual measurement & improvement
o Life cycle assessment (LCA)
• Accounts for costs, materials, energy & emissions over a product’s entire life
• Inventory: Compiling all relevant energy & material inputs and environmental releases
• Evaluate: Potential impacts associated with inputs & releases
• Interpret: Make more informed decisions

Question 7

Triple Bottom LIne

Answer 7

o Environmental (planet): viable natural environment
• Air quality, water quality, waste production, energy use
o Social (people): nurturing community
• Labour practices, community impacts, human rights, product responsibility
o Economic (profit): sufficient economy
• Sales/profits/returns, taxes paid, monetary flow, jobs created