Sustainable Development

Question 1

What is the UN definition of sustainable development?

Answer 1

Development that meets needs of present, without compromising needs of future generations

(Balances economic, environmental and social)

Question 2

Why do companies have different definitions of sustainable development?

Answer 2

Companies more interested in economic than social or environmental

Question 3

Explain how Interface Inc meets its’ 3 main aims

Answer 3

• Reduce carbon footprint (solar lights, renewable energy, plant trees to neutralise)
• Improve product design -> no waste (recycled materials)
• Create culture among business of sustainable model (makes more profit through being environmental friendly)

Question 4

Explain 4 ways Marks and Spencer’s promotes sustainable development

Answer 4

• Fair Trade (supports foreign companies, 15000 Ugandan kids now in better education)
• Climate Change (tear drop ‘Eco - lorries” emit 20% less CO2)
• Reduce waste (reduce packaging, carrier bag charge, bags fully recyclable)
• Sustainable raw materials

Question 5

Explain 2 reasons why policies may vary

Answer 5

• Public vs Private debate (private transport preferred -> congestion)
• Depends on city size (USA = big, new cities built around car -> less congestion)

Question 6

Name 5 types of transport policies

Answer 6

• Vehicle exclusion zones
• Park and ride schemes
• Pedestrianised areas
• Permit parking
• Speed bumps

Question 7

Give 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of the London Congestion charge

Answer 7

Advantages:

• 21% less cars in city
• 25% less greenhouse gas emissions
• Money made -> improving buses

Disadvantages:

• Expensive to setup
• Avoidable by using stolen numberplates
• Buses causing congestion -> back to normal

Question 8

Name 6 possible reasons for deforestation

Answer 8

• Build roads
• Build houses
• Cleared for farms
• Cleared for mining
• Cleared for palm oil
• Used for logging

Question 9

Explain, step by step, the main impact of deforestation

Answer 9

• Cutting down trees exposes soil
• Rainwater washes nutrients from soil -> broken nutrient cycle
• Loss of biodiversity as there are few nutrients
• Local conflict over remaining resources

Question 10

Explain 2 social, 2 economic and 2 environmental effects of mining for oil in Oriente, Ecuador

Answer 10

Social:

• Water 1000x more toxic than safe
• Miscarriage high in local women

Economic:

• Only benefited few
• National debt increased

Environmental:

• 4.3 mil barrels toxic waste dumped per day
• Endangered plants

Question 11

Give 3 reasons why there is a high demand for palm oil

Answer 11

Cheap

Used in biofuel, increased demand for it

Used in 43% brands - food, cosmetics

Question 12

Give 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of Palm Oil farming in Indonesia

Answer 12

Ads:

• Locals make money
• Improves local life -> roads and schools

Dis:

• Needs lots of water, fertiliser and pesticides
• 20% global greenhouse gases from palm oil production (slash and burn of rainforest)

Question 13

Explain 2 ways companies are trying to produce more sustainable palm oil

Answer 13

• RSPO: set rules to protect nature and workers (40% users now members, but only covers 4% supply)
• Unilever only uses sustainable palm oil since 2015