| WHAT DOES SUSTAINABILITY MEAN TO YOU? | General Definition – The ability to last or continue over time.
Ecological Perspective – Keeping nature and ecosystems healthy for all species.
Societal Perspective – Building communities and businesses that support future generations.
Economic & Corporate Perspective – Maintaining steady growth and responsible business practices. |
| THE THREE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITY | Environmental, Social, Economic |
| Sustainable Development | Sustainability = Outcome, Sustainable Development = Process.
Defined by Brundtland Report: Meeting present needs without compromising future generations.
Business term: Triple P - People, Planet, Profit.
Key goal of UN, World Bank, IMF. |
| : What is a Business? | Defined as a commercial entity selling goods/services for profit.
Can be:
Privately-owned vs. State-owned vs. Worker-owned.
For-profit vs. Non-profit vs. Social enterprise.
Different industries (e.g., mining, food & beverage).
This course challenges assumptions about business & sustainability. |
| : Why Sustainable Business? | Historically, businesses prioritize profit over social/environmental concerns.
Milton Friedman -“Business’s only responsibility is to increase profits.”
But businesses are shifting towards sustainability due to:
NGO/activist pressure – Groups push companies to be more eco-friendly and ethical.
Consumer demand – People want sustainable products, so companies adapt.
Greenwashing – Companies pretend to be sustainable for good PR without real action.
New market opportunities – Sustainability creates chances for new products and business.
Regulation avoidance – Companies go green to avoid government fines or restrictions.
Efficiency improvements – Using fewer resources saves money and reduces waste. |
| Critical Approach to Business & Sustainability | The course takes a critical & interdisciplinary approach.
Examines possibilities, limits, tensions, contradictions of sustainability in business.
Not a "how-to" guide but an exploration of challenges. |
| Contradictions of Sustainable Development | Sustainable development is debated as an oxymoron.
Key questions:
Can growth & sustainability coexist?
Can infinite population & resource use continue on a finite planet? |
| Sustainability Tensions | Voluntary vs. Regulatory: Should sustainability be optional or legally enforced?
Corporate Power: What role should corporations play?
Technocratic vs. Systemic: Should solutions be technical fixes or societal changes?
Human vs. Non-Human Rights: How do we balance human needs with ecosystems? |
| Key Issues in Business & Sustainability | Environmental & social sustainability
Business ethics |
| Approaches to Sustainable Business | Indigenous approaches
Sustainable business frameworks & tools
Alternative business models |
