Weak sustainability
What is the key idea behind
the concept in
terms of substitutability?
What are its consequences,
e.g. in terms of
compatibility with
environmental degradation
and irreversible changes?
Which sustainability issues
can or cannot be
addressed with the
concept?
How can thresholds and
environmental norms
be determined in each
concept?
(e.g. what type of
information is needed)
Please name one
important/key concept of
each approach to
sustainability.
Strong sustainability
Natural capital is a factor of
production and can and
should be substituted by
produced capital to allow
optimal welfare growth.
Consumption will deplete
the non-renewable
resources and the utility will
drop to zero.
Can: The intragenerational
justice.
Cannot: The
intergenerational justice,
the justice between humans
& nature and the uncertain
future.
Needed information:
1. Is the “optimal growth”
sustainable?
2. Are natural and produced
capital interchangeable?
The life supporting service
of natural capital can’t be
substituted. (and humanity
needs the life supporting
service to exist and survive)
The environment and its
ecosystems will be kept
intact. (if different forms of
natural capital can be
substituted without limit)
Can: The intragenerational
justice and the justice
between humans & nature.
The intergenerational justice
and the uncertain future to
some extent.
Cannot: The
intergenerational justice to
some extent.
Needed information:
1. What is the exact data for
the CNC (Critical Natural
Capital)?
2. Are different forms of
natural capital
interchangeable?
The three arguments for SS
over WS:
1. The future is uncertain, so
we should be cautious.
2. Loss of natural capital my
be irreversible.
3. We would rather not gain
something, than loose
something.