Environmental sustainability

Environmental sustainability") focuses on maintaining long-term productivity and biological diversity, protecting natural resources for future generations. This concept promotes a balance between human development and environmental preservation. Today, many companies have begun to implement sustainable practices in their operations, contributing to the reduction of their environmental footprint.

Environmental sustainability is not just limited to nature conservation, but also encompasses social justice and economic resilience. It is recognized that environmental impacts tend to disproportionately affect the most vulnerable communities, which is why sustainability seeks to remedy these inequalities, strengthen the resilience of communities to face natural disasters, and mitigate the effects of the climate crisis. In this sense, environmental sustainability is one of the fundamental pillars of sustainable development, along with social and economic sustainability, all of them interdependent to achieve a more just and balanced future.[20]​.

Practices associated with environmental sustainability include:[11]​.

Economic sustainability

It refers to the ability to generate and distribute wealth equitably, ensuring the economic solvency of communities without compromising resources for future generations. This implies a balance between human well-being and the sustainable use of natural resources, promoting fairer and more responsible economic models.

Political sustainability

It consists of guaranteeing a fair and democratic political system, with inclusive power structures and governance that respects both human rights and the principles of sustainability. It includes the creation of solid legal frameworks and the promotion of supportive relationships between communities and regions to reduce inequalities and improve quality of life.

Social sustainability

It focuses on promoting values ​​and behaviors that promote social equity, adequate levels of education and environmental awareness. It seeks to create resilient and participatory communities, capable of addressing social and environmental challenges collectively.

Sustainability can be measured using quantitative tools that evaluate environmental, social and economic impact. Notable examples include:.

In the business world, certifications that evaluate the social and environmental impact of companies have proliferated. These certifications address different approaches. For example:[21][22][23]​.

Other certifications, such as B Corp, address several aspects.[24][21]​.

Criticism of these types of certifications is usually that they are not legally binding, which can limit their effectiveness in compliance, and therefore can be used for greenwashing.[24]​.

Relationship between sustainability and the environment

Healthy ecosystems provide essential goods and services to both humans and other organisms. There are two main approaches to reduce negative human impact and enhance these services:.

Green jobs under debate

Employment in activities related to the environment in Spain represents 2.62% of the employed population, with a total of 530,947 jobs. This is one of the data from the report "Green employment in a sustainable economy", prepared by the Sustainability Observatory in Spain") (OSE) and the Biodiversity Foundation within an initiative of the Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs and co-financed by the European Social Fund, which aims to better understand the possibilities of job creation linked to environmental activities. 20.6% of the total of current green jobs are concentrated in the renewable energy sector, in which 109,368 jobs, a figure that is only surpassed by the sector dedicated to waste management and treatment, with 140,343 jobs. The renewable energy sector has grown the most, multiplying the number of jobs by 30 in a decade. The report highlights the first results that are already being achieved to consolidate the transition towards a sustainable future.[55]​.

According to calculations by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the manufacturing, installation and maintenance of solar panels alone will create more than 6 million jobs by 2030. But not only renewables nourish this economic transition, but all types of jobs, defining organic farming as a key factor in second place and others ranging from masonry and plumbing to technical engineering, since it will be necessary for all sectors to redefine their technologies and contents as they are already the journey towards a low-carbon economy is irrevocable.

However, the ILO warns that many jobs that are green in principle are not green in practice due to environmental damage caused by inappropriate practices. Furthermore, the available evidence shows that green jobs are not automatically decent work. Many current recycling jobs, for example, recover raw materials and therefore help relieve pressure on natural resources, but the process used is often dirty, dangerous and difficult, and causes significant damage to the environment and human health. Employment is often precarious and income is low.

Green shopping

In everyday items you can collaborate to pollute less, turning these small actions into a great impact on society, such as:

Sustainable architecture

It is the way of conceiving architecture so that it does not harm the environment, in the most ecological way possible, taking advantage of natural resources and minimizing the impact on them.[56]​.

The most recommended construction for a given area must comply with environmental principles that are deduced after an analysis of the place. The orientations, the possibility of having cross ventilation, thermal insulation, are optimal strategies for some climates.

Sustainable development goals (Agenda 2030)

In July 2015, the UN raised the urgent need to name 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with Agenda 2030.[57]​[58]​.

The following topics were raised as essential, establishing several objectives:

In this sense, the United Nations Global Compact is responsible for promoting business sustainability and bringing the SDGs to the business world.

Main challenges of sustainable development

The inability of the human species to live in harmony with the planet, the great interaction between man and the natural system, are the great environmental problems of today. To date, no species, except man, has managed to modify so substantially, in such a short time, the characteristics of the planet.

Thus, the following major planetary problems arise:

And on a local scale:

Environmental sustainability

Environmental sustainability") focuses on maintaining long-term productivity and biological diversity, protecting natural resources for future generations. This concept promotes a balance between human development and environmental preservation. Today, many companies have begun to implement sustainable practices in their operations, contributing to the reduction of their environmental footprint.

Environmental sustainability is not just limited to nature conservation, but also encompasses social justice and economic resilience. It is recognized that environmental impacts tend to disproportionately affect the most vulnerable communities, which is why sustainability seeks to remedy these inequalities, strengthen the resilience of communities to face natural disasters, and mitigate the effects of the climate crisis. In this sense, environmental sustainability is one of the fundamental pillars of sustainable development, along with social and economic sustainability, all of them interdependent to achieve a more just and balanced future.[20]​.

Practices associated with environmental sustainability include:[11]​.

Economic sustainability

It refers to the ability to generate and distribute wealth equitably, ensuring the economic solvency of communities without compromising resources for future generations. This implies a balance between human well-being and the sustainable use of natural resources, promoting fairer and more responsible economic models.

Political sustainability

It consists of guaranteeing a fair and democratic political system, with inclusive power structures and governance that respects both human rights and the principles of sustainability. It includes the creation of solid legal frameworks and the promotion of supportive relationships between communities and regions to reduce inequalities and improve quality of life.

Social sustainability

It focuses on promoting values ​​and behaviors that promote social equity, adequate levels of education and environmental awareness. It seeks to create resilient and participatory communities, capable of addressing social and environmental challenges collectively.

Sustainability can be measured using quantitative tools that evaluate environmental, social and economic impact. Notable examples include:.

In the business world, certifications that evaluate the social and environmental impact of companies have proliferated. These certifications address different approaches. For example:[21][22][23]​.

Other certifications, such as B Corp, address several aspects.[24][21]​.

Criticism of these types of certifications is usually that they are not legally binding, which can limit their effectiveness in compliance, and therefore can be used for greenwashing.[24]​.

Relationship between sustainability and the environment

Healthy ecosystems provide essential goods and services to both humans and other organisms. There are two main approaches to reduce negative human impact and enhance these services:.

Green jobs under debate

Employment in activities related to the environment in Spain represents 2.62% of the employed population, with a total of 530,947 jobs. This is one of the data from the report "Green employment in a sustainable economy", prepared by the Sustainability Observatory in Spain") (OSE) and the Biodiversity Foundation within an initiative of the Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs and co-financed by the European Social Fund, which aims to better understand the possibilities of job creation linked to environmental activities. 20.6% of the total of current green jobs are concentrated in the renewable energy sector, in which 109,368 jobs, a figure that is only surpassed by the sector dedicated to waste management and treatment, with 140,343 jobs. The renewable energy sector has grown the most, multiplying the number of jobs by 30 in a decade. The report highlights the first results that are already being achieved to consolidate the transition towards a sustainable future.[55]​.

According to calculations by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the manufacturing, installation and maintenance of solar panels alone will create more than 6 million jobs by 2030. But not only renewables nourish this economic transition, but all types of jobs, defining organic farming as a key factor in second place and others ranging from masonry and plumbing to technical engineering, since it will be necessary for all sectors to redefine their technologies and contents as they are already the journey towards a low-carbon economy is irrevocable.

However, the ILO warns that many jobs that are green in principle are not green in practice due to environmental damage caused by inappropriate practices. Furthermore, the available evidence shows that green jobs are not automatically decent work. Many current recycling jobs, for example, recover raw materials and therefore help relieve pressure on natural resources, but the process used is often dirty, dangerous and difficult, and causes significant damage to the environment and human health. Employment is often precarious and income is low.

Green shopping

In everyday items you can collaborate to pollute less, turning these small actions into a great impact on society, such as:

Sustainable architecture

It is the way of conceiving architecture so that it does not harm the environment, in the most ecological way possible, taking advantage of natural resources and minimizing the impact on them.[56]​.

The most recommended construction for a given area must comply with environmental principles that are deduced after an analysis of the place. The orientations, the possibility of having cross ventilation, thermal insulation, are optimal strategies for some climates.

Sustainable development goals (Agenda 2030)

In July 2015, the UN raised the urgent need to name 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with Agenda 2030.[57]​[58]​.

The following topics were raised as essential, establishing several objectives:

In this sense, the United Nations Global Compact is responsible for promoting business sustainability and bringing the SDGs to the business world.

Main challenges of sustainable development

The inability of the human species to live in harmony with the planet, the great interaction between man and the natural system, are the great environmental problems of today. To date, no species, except man, has managed to modify so substantially, in such a short time, the characteristics of the planet.

Thus, the following major planetary problems arise:

And on a local scale: