Sustainability Flashcards
What is Sustainable development as defined by The UN’s Bruntland Report?
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What is a Sustainable business as defined by The Sustainable Business Network?
A business that offers products and services that fulfil society’s needs while placing an equal emphasis on people, planet and profits.
What is Sustainable trading as defined on the European Union (EU) website?
A trading system that does not harm the environment or deteriorate social conditions while promoting economic growth.
What are the three factors/aspects of human society which relate to Sustainability?
Environmental, Social and Economic factors.
As defined by The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), what is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?
The continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large.
What is the purpose of Triple Bottom Line (TBL) reporting?
Expands the traditional company reporting framework to take into account environmental and social performance in addition to financial (economic) performance.
What are the three factors which are used to explain the concept of TBL reporting?
People, Planet and Profit.
Give two Environmental risks of not acting sustainably.
1) Deterioration of the environment and loss of some resources.
2) Climate change.
Give three Social risks of not acting sustainably.
1) Social injustice.
2) Infringement of human rights.
3) A widening gap between the world’s richest and poorest countries.
Give two Economic risks of not acting sustainably.
1) Limits to economic growth as the earth is a finite system.
2) Long term growth not ensured without sustainable development
Give four examples of how sustainability can boost profits.
1) May help directly increase sales of products and services.
2) Cost savings e.g. lower energy usage.
3) May create positive PR and thus contribute to business in the long run.
4) Avoiding fines for pollution.
Give five ways of measuring impact on the ‘Planet’ when using TBL.
Electricity consumption, Fossil fuel consumption, Water usage, Amount of greenhouse gasses and other pollutants produced, and Percentage of resources recycled compared with dumped as landfill.
Give four ways of measuring impact on ‘People’ when using TBL.
Jobs created/unemployment rates, Average pay levels, Health and safety measures (e.g. accident rates) and Equality measures (e.g. diversity of employees).
Give two ways of measuring impact on ‘Profit’ when using TBL.
Profitability of individual businesses/divisions, and Taxes paid.
