Sustainability is everywhere. Governments, organisations, businesses, and individuals across the globe are focusing on sustainability like never before. But what does it truly mean? In this feature, Joe Oughtred, co-founder of Axiom Sustainability Software explains the concept of sustainability - what it is and why it matters to organisations in the UK and around the world.
What is Sustainability?
The concept of sustainability emerged in the 1970s and gained global prominence with the Brundtland Report, a 1987 document published by the United Nations’ World Commission on Environment and Development. This pivotal report highlighted the impact of our consumption patterns and economic activities on the environment and natural resources.
The Brundtland Report defines sustainability as:
“Economic development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Today, sustainability is a global imperative with far-reaching implications for governments, organisations, and society. At its core, sustainability seeks to balance three key dimensions: economic growth, social advancement, and environmental protection.
Why is Sustainability Important?
Sustainability is about building a successful future for all. It acknowledges that every individual is entitled to growth and prosperity while ensuring that the planet’s natural systems and resources remain intact for future generations.
The concept of sustainability revolves around three interconnected pillars:
Environmental Protection
Social Advancement
Economic Prosperity
Understanding and addressing the relationships between these dimensions is key to creating effective and impactful sustainability programs.
Why Sustainability Matters – Environmental Protection
Protecting the environment is fundamental to sustainability. Organisations must define and act upon their commitment to preserving natural resources, reducing emissions, and minimising carbon footprints. In practice, this involves:
Protecting and restoring ecosystems
Promoting sustainable product development
Minimising resource consumption
Reducing waste and emissions
Complying with local, national, and international regulations
Embedding resource-reduction strategies into day-to-day operations can lead to a win-win situation, benefiting both the environment and organisational performance.
Why Sustainability Matters – Social Advancement
The social pillar of sustainability focuses on fostering equitable practices that promote societal growth and well-being. For organisations, this means maintaining ethical standards, supporting their workforce, and contributing to the broader community. Key areas of focus include:
Workforce: Health and safety, diversity, training, and quality employment
Customers: Transparency in product labelling, accurate information, and safe products
Communities: Respect for human rights and positive community impacts
Organisations must balance the varying concerns of stakeholders, recognising that changes for one group often affect others.
Why Sustainability Matters – Economic Prosperity
Economic sustainability involves creating and maintaining a sound economic system that supports both organisational growth and individual independence. It’s not about profit at any cost but rather ensuring ethical practices, robust governance, and financial stability.
Practical steps for organisations include deploying cost-effective, incremental sustainability initiatives while ensuring their consumption of resources is aligned with regeneration rates and emission levels that the environment can manage. For individuals, economic sustainability ensures access to the resources needed to secure livelihoods and meet basic needs.
The Future of Sustainability
Sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity. The shift from a linear to a circular economy, along with the emergence of new technologies, is accelerating progress toward a more sustainable future.
Organisations must ensure their resource consumption does not exceed regeneration rates, emissions remain within absorbable limits, and non-renewable resource use is minimised.
About AXIOM – Empowering Sustainable Business
AXIOM is a powerful cloud-based platform designed to help businesses monitor, analyse, and improve sustainability performance. From calculating emissions and tracking progress to managing SECR compliance and supporting sustainable procurement, AXIOM is your partner in achieving sustainability goals.
Free Carbon Emissions Calculator in Collaboration
To help businesses on their sustainability journey, AXIOM Sustainability Software has introduced a free carbon emissions calculator for members of Family Business United.
Try it for free here
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