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OBJECTIVES

• Explain the terms sustainable development and sustainability.

• Discover the various models used to depict sustainability.
• Recognize the problems with global sustainability.
• Find out how the world is addressing sustainability challenges.

PRE-TEST: ESSAY
Directions: Explain each in five (5) sentences.

1. In your own words, What is sustainability?

2. Why do we study sustainability?

WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?

Sustainability is our society’s ability to exist and develop without depleting all of
the natural resources needed to live in the future. Sustainable development
supports this long-term goal with the implementation of systems, frameworks,
and support from global, national, and local entities.

The concept of sustainability is built on the notion that natural resources on Earth
are finite, so supporting sustainable practices helps maintain a balance between
environment, economy, and equity. It’s the movement and energy behind
ensuring that Earth can continue to be live able, all the while controlling and
reducing resource depletion.

WHY IS SUSTAINABILITY IMPORTANT?

Sustainability is a concept related to the development of products, goods, and

services that involves meeting our present needs without compromising the

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ability of future generations to fulfill their own needs. Sustainability as a concept
recognizes that the environment is an exhaustible resource. Therefore, it is
important to use the environment and its resources rationally and protect it for the
good of the Earth, our environment, humanity, & all living things.

While most people associate it with the environment, sustainability can be

explored in various other contexts, including economic development and social
responsibility. These contexts include the Earth’s carrying capacity, the
sustainability of ecosystems, occupations, behavior patterns, and so on.

In a sustainable society, humans live in harmony with the natural environment,

conserving resources for their future generations, so that everyone enjoys social
justice and a high quality of life.

How Clean the World is Doing Our Part to Drive Sustainability Globally

In today’s rapidly changing world, sustainability has become a topic of significant

importance. From climate change and environmental degradation to social equity
and ethical practices, there are numerous reasons why sustainability should
matter to everyone.

In this article, we will explore the significance of sustainability in a way that is

accessible to all audiences.

Preserving the Planet for Future Generations

One of the most compelling reasons for embracing sustainability is the urgent
need to preserve our planet for future generations. Climate change,
deforestation, and pollution threaten the delicate balance of Earth’s ecosystems.
By adopting sustainable practices, such as reducing carbon emissions,
conserving resources, and protecting biodiversity, we can ensure a healthier
planet for our children and grandchildren.

Here at Clean the World, we do our part through our hospitality recycling
program, supporting over 8,000 hotel partners. Through our program, we recycle,
sanitize, and repurpose discarded soap and plastic bottled amenities,

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transforming them into life-saving resources for communities in need. Since
2009, Clean the World has distributed over 80 million bars of soap to
communities around the world and has diverted over 25.2 million pounds of
waste from landfills.

Mitigating Climate Change

Climate change is an existential crisis that demands immediate action.

Sustainable practices play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. By
embracing renewable energy technologies, improving energy efficiency,
supporting green initiatives, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, consumers can contribute to a more
sustainable and resilient future.

Through Clean the World’s impact reporting system, we can accurately track and
measure the impact of our recycling operations. Additionally, through our
recycling program and the cooperation of our partners, we are responsible for a
reduction of over 10 million kg of CO2e entering the atmosphere.

Protecting Natural Resources

Our planet’s resources are finite, and their rapid depletion poses significant
challenges. Sustainability encourages the responsible use of natural resources,
such as water, energy, and raw materials. By adopting eco-friendly habits like
reducing waste, recycling, and choosing products made from sustainable
materials, consumers can help preserve resources for future generations.

The hospitality industry produces around 287 million tons of waste annually, with
plastic waste making up a considerable amount. Here at Clean the World, we
recognize the importance of a circular economy. We are actively turning trash
into treasure, recycling discarded soap and plastic waste into new life-saving
products.

Supporting Ethical Practices

Sustainability encompasses not only environmental aspects but also social and
ethical dimensions. Consumers have the power to support companies and
brands that prioritize fair trade, workers’ rights, and ethical sourcing. Consumers

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can encourage businesses to adopt sustainable and ethical practices throughout
their supply chains by making informed purchasing decisions and demanding
transparency.

Clean the World recycles soap from over 1.4 million hotel rooms daily. This soap
would otherwise end up in landfills, but Clean the World turns this discarded soap
back into a life-saving resource for communities in need, following a thorough
recycling and sanitation process. To date, Clean the World has supported over
15 million individuals, highlighting our commitment to supporting the social
element of sustainability.

Promoting Social Equity

Sustainability is intricately linked to social equity and justice. By embracing

sustainable products and services, consumers can actively contribute to
organizations supporting sustainable social aspects, encompassing well-being,
equality, and fair wages. Therefore, consumers can ultimately determine a
company’s success, which highlights the growing power that conscious
consumers have within society, with 92% of consumers more likely to trust an
environmentally and socially conscious brand.

At Clean the World, we believe that everyone deserves access to essential

hygiene supplies. With every bar of soap distributed to communities around the
world, we get closer to a more equitable world.

Saving Money in the Long Run

While sustainability is driven by the desire to protect the planet and its
inhabitants, it can also offer personal benefits. Often, adopting sustainable
practices leads to long-term cost savings for organizations, known as “economic
sustainability,” where organizations take a conscious approach to their
purchasing activities, taking into consideration a triple-bottom-line “people, profit,
planet” approach that can serve to increase the longevity and sustainability of a
brand in various ways. For example, hotels can partner with Clean the World to
implement our hospitality recycling program, which, at a fractional cost to
partners, can provide many advantages, explained further in the article “Why Do
Hotels Need to Recycle? And Why Clean the World is the Perfect Recycling
Partner.”

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According to Waste Zero, the U.S. spends $200 billion on waste management
and lost resources from trash disposal. By diverting waste from landfills and
reducing the overuse of natural resources, Clean the World is working to offset
the damage caused by waste.

BRIEF HISTORY OF SUSTAINABILITY

The concept of sustainability sprouted from the movement that grew out of the
notions of social justice, ecological conservation, and globalism toward the end of
the 20th century.

In 1983, former Norwegian prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland was asked to
run the World Commission on Environment and Development for the United
Nations. Many countries were still in poverty after decades of industrialization
which had come at a cost to social equity and the environment. The Brundtland
Commission’s report Our Common Future defines the need for sustainable
development, a holistic approach that considers the environment, economy, and
equity.

10 EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Here are 10 examples of sustainability in the workplace that any business can
adopt:

• Sustainability education and training

One of the most effective examples of sustainability in the workplace is a strong

focus on education and training for employees on sustainability and
environmental impact. Some people may not know that their activities at work
impact the overall health of the environment, so providing training can help raise
awareness and make employees more conscious about their individual impacts
and the impacts of the company. Companies can hire experts to give
presentations, watch informative videos or webinars on workplace sustainability
and post reminders around the workplace for employees. They might also offer
incentive programmes for sustainable practices.

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 • Food waste programmes

Some companies implement food waste programmes, where they provide

special bins for employees to deposit their food waste from meals. Recycling
food waste can help the company reduce the amount of food waste that enters
landfills, and food waste often becomes fertiliser or compost when it’s recycled.
Companies can either recycle the food waste themselves and use the compost to
create a company garden on the grounds or hire a company to collect the waste
monthly for recycling. Encouraging employees to recycle food waste can act as a
daily reminder of everyone’s part in creating a more sustainable workplace.

• Recycling programmers

Basic recycling programmer are common in many industries because they’re

both simple and effective. By providing recycling bins for cans, paper, plastic
bottles and other items, companies can help encourage their employees to avoid
throwing things in the garbage, which goes to a landfill. Recycling programmes
help ensure that materials experience a new life cycle as other consumer items,
effectively increasing the reusability and sustainability of disposable items, like
bottles and cans. Companies typically include recycling bins outside of the
building, in break rooms and in-office spaces to encourage good habits.

• E-waste recycling

E-waste is any waste that originates from electronics, such as phones,

computers or other devices. E-waste is a common inhabitant of landfills,
accounting for a large percentage of all trash items. By providing recycling bins
for e-waste, companies can help encourage employees to recycle their old
phones or devices instead of throwing them away. Many of these devices contain
reusable parts and components that can become new phones, TVs and
computers. A simple way to implement an e-waste recycling program is by
purchasing specialised e-waste recycle bin for the office or production floor
where employees can deposit old electronics.

• Recycled production materials

Many companies use production materials that originate from recycled material.
This can help reduce the business’s need for new materials, which typically
require mining, logging or some other form of environmental destruction to

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acquire, refine and ship. By using recycled materials, companies also help set a
strong example for employees by displaying their commitment to change and
sustainability outright. Consumers may also appreciate this approach and
become more conscious about what they buy, choosing companies that use
recycled materials instead to promote more sustainability and environmental
awareness.

• Plastic ware reduction initiatives

Some companies adopt plastic ware reduction initiatives, which helps influence
employees to reduce how much plastic-ware, or disposable silverware, they use
at work. Companies can post flyers and reminders or outright ban plastic-ware in
the workplace. Providing an alternative to plastic ware might help employees be
more receptive to the idea, and many companies either provide a washing station
for normal silverware or provide silverware made from alternative materials like
bamboo, paper or wood. These measures can help reduce the amount of plastic
that employees throw in the garbage throughout each workday and reinforce
environmental awareness.

• Environmental activism

Companies can also encourage sustainability by adopting environmental activism

as part of their general values. For example, a local paper production company
might contribute to a rainforest protection fund and use only sustainable
materials to produce their paper as an act of environmental stewardship.
Practicing environmental activism can help a company set an example for
employees and show the world that the business commits to environmentalism.
Companies can also take part in volunteer programmes, where they enlist
employees to clean up garbage, pollution or participate in environmental events.
Participating in activism may also help a company grow its customer base.

• Sustainable business practices

Aside from recyclable materials, companies can adopt a variety of sustainable

business practices to further reinforce the values of sustainability and
environmental stewardship. This might include only using sustainable materials,
reducing pollution and littering in the business’s local area, eliminating single-use
products from the company product line, and taking corporate responsibility for
any environmental damage the company might have caused. Adopting

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sustainable business practices can show the business is honest and committed
to keeping the environment safe and functional, and may also help employees
develop a sense of pride in working for such a committed business.

• Public transportation and carpooling programmes

Companies can focus on encouraging employees to utilise public transportation

and carpooling as alternatives to driving to work. This can help reduce fossil fuel
use. Fossil fuels are generally considered unsustainable, or likely to run out in
the future. Reducing fossil fuels can be a great way to help reduce the amount of
carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gasses like
carbon dioxide help trap ultra-violet rays and heat from the sun, effectively
warming the earth’s surface. Companies can offer vouchers for public
transportation or other incentives to use carpooling and other group methods for
commuting.

• Workplace energy conservation programmes

Another example of sustainability in the workplace is energy conservation

programmes. Many companies focus on reducing the amount of energy they use
daily, which can help reduce the amount of fossil fuels or other fuels sources
necessary to provide that energy. Energy consumption reduction has other
benefits, like reducing the company’s overhead costs and keeping the company’s
need for energy low. Companies can also encourage employees to reduce
workplace and home energy consumption with seminars, reminders, flyers or
company incentives for most energy saved.

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Tips for improving sustainability in the workplace

Here are some tips for improving sustainability efforts in the workplace:

• Focus on education and awareness: It can be easier to encourage

employees to adopt sustainable practices if they better understand the
impacts of both not adopting those practices and adopting them as soon
as possible. Focus resources on providing education and raising
awareness about sustainability, environmental impacts and what
businesses and employees can do to contribute.
• Provide the tools for improvement: Encouraging employees to adopt
more sustainable practices may be easier if the company provides the
necessary tools to adopt new practices. For example, if a company bans
single-use plastics from the building, providing alternatives made from
different materials might help employees adjust more quickly.
• Recognize the company’s environmental impact: Often, the first step to
solving a problem is admitting there is a problem and that the company’s
efforts contributed to the problem. Recognizing that the company has a
role in the environment can be a crucial step in reversing the process and
adopting more sustainable practices.
• Make sustainability mandatory: Some companies make their
sustainability practices mandatory for all of their employees to create more
consistency across the business, and ensure that everyone contributes to
the company’s efforts. This might help employees adopt practices more
quickly by forcing them to accept new changes.

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POST TEST: IDENTIFICATION

Directions: Identity what is being asked on the following question. Choose

your answers on the box Write your answer on the space provided.

Climate change Make Sustainable

sustainability business
mandatory practices

Provide the tools Focus on Protecting natural

for improvement education and resources
awareness

Recognize the Environmental E-waste

company’s activism recycling,
environmental Recycling
impact programmers

_________1. is an existential crisis that demands immediate action.

Sustainable practices play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. By
embracing renewable energy technologies, improving energy efficiency,
supporting green initiatives, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, consumers can contribute to a more
sustainable and resilient future.

_________2. It can be easier to encourage employees to adopt

sustainable practices if they better understand the impacts of both not
adopting those practices and adopting them as soon as possible. Focus
resources on providing education and raising awareness about
sustainability, environmental impacts and what businesses and employees
can do to contribute.

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________3. Encouraging employees to adopt more sustainable practices
may be easier if the company provides the necessary tools to adopt new
practices. For example, if a company bans single-use plastics from the
building, providing alternatives made from different materials might help
employees adjust more quickly.

________4. Often, the first step to solving a problem is admitting there is

a problem and that the company’s efforts contributed to the problem.
Recognizing that the company has a role in the environment can be a
crucial step in reversing the process and adopting more sustainable
practices.

________5. Companies can also encourage sustainability by adopting

environmental activism as part of their general values. For example, a local
paper production company might contribute to a rainforest protection fund
and use only sustainable materials to produce their paper as an act of
environmental stewardship. Practicing environmental activism can help a
company set an example for employees and show the world that the
business commits to environmentalism. Companies can also take part in
volunteer programmers, where they enlist employees to clean up garbage,
pollution or participate in environmental events. Participating in activism
may also help a company grow its customer base.

_______6. Some companies make their sustainability practices mandatory

for all of their employees to create more consistency across the business,
and ensure that everyone contributes to the company’s efforts. This might
help employees adopt practices more quickly by forcing them to accept
new changes.

_______7. Aside from recyclable materials, companies can adopt a variety

of sustainable business practices to further reinforce the values of
sustainability and environmental stewardship. This might include only using
sustainable materials, reducing pollution and littering in the business’s local
area, eliminating single-use products from the company product line, and
taking corporate responsibility for any environmental damage the company
might have caused.

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_______8. E-waste is any waste that originates from electronics, such as
phones, computers or other devices. E-waste is a common inhabitant of
landfills, accounting for a large percentage of all trash items. By providing
recycling bins for e-waste, companies can help encourage employees to
recycle their old phones or devices instead of throwing them away. Many
of these devices contain reusable parts and components that can become
new phones, TVs and computers. A simple way to implement an e-waste
recycling program is by purchasing specialized e-waste recycle bin for the
office or production floor where employees can deposit old electronics.

_______9. Basic recycling programmer are common in many industries

because they’re both simple and effective. By providing recycling bins for
cans, paper, plastic bottles and other items, companies can help
encourage their employees to avoid throwing things in the garbage, which
goes to a landfill. Recycling programmes help ensure that materials
experience a new life cycle as other consumer items, effectively increasing
the reusability and sustainability of disposable items, like bottles and cans.
Companies typically include recycling bins outside of the building, in break
rooms and in-office spaces to encourage good habits.

________10. Our planet’s resources are finite, and their rapid depletion
poses significant challenges. Sustainability encourages the responsible
use of natural resources, such as water, energy, and raw materials. By
adopting eco-friendly habits like reducing waste, recycling, and choosing
products made from sustainable materials, consumers can help preserve
resources for future generations.

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KEY ANSWERS :

Post-Test
1. Climate change
2. Focus on education and awareness
3. Provide the tools for improvement
4. Recognize company’s environmental impact
5. Environmental activism
6. Make sustainability mandatory
7. Sustainable business practices
8. E-waste recycling
9. Recycling programmers
10. Protecting natural resources

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References:

https://www.activesustainability.com/sustai

nable-development/what-is-

sustainability/?_adin=02021864894

https://bluglacier.com/why-is-sustainability-

important/#:~:text=Being%20committed%2

0to%20sustainability%20will,clean%2C%2

0more%20healthy%20living%20conditions.

https://cleantheworld.org/blog/why-is-sustainability-important/

https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/examples-of-
sustainability

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Sustainability
vs. Stability

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OBJECTIVES

• To be able to analyze and identify the difference of sustainability and

stability.

• To understand how it is important in our life.

PRE-TEST:
1. Show the differences and similarities of sustainability and stability
using venn diagram.

WHAT IS STABILITY?

➢ Category “stability” is used by scientists in various fields of science

➢ In general stability means the ability of the system to keep it in the
given parameters
➢ The stability of the enterprise is a dynamic, complex, multifaceted
category.
➢ This complex stability Ukrainian scientists name “economic stability
of the enterprise”
➢ Economic stability of the enterprise include such aspects: financial,
industrial, technological, social, environmental, marketing.

ASPECTS OF STABILITY

1. Economic Stability
➢ The matter of preventing economic and financial crises, as well as
significant swings in economic activity, high inflation, and excessive

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 volatility in foreign currency and financial markets. Uncertainty can
increase, Investment can be discouraged, economic progress can be
stifled, and living standards can be reduced when there is instability
(IMF.2021).
➢ Entails a method of production that can meet the demands of the
current levels of consumption without sacrificing the requirements of the
future (Basiago. 1999).
➢ In this context, “green” refers to techniques that encourage long-term
economic growth without having a negative influence on the social.
Environmental, or cultural components of the local community
(University of Mary Washington).

2. Political Stability
➢ The state of the government in which there is no likelihood of an
uprising occurring since there is right governance in place, citizens are
happy with their lives, leaders are not corrupt, and citizens profit from all
of the policies.
➢ The tendency of a government to fall, either as a result of internal strife
or as a result of excessive competition between the various political
parties is referred to as political instability (Hussain, 2014).
➢ Stability in the political system has a significant impact on the rate of
economic growth because of the sort of governance it makes possible
(Hussain.2014).

3. Environmental Stability
➢ Interacting with the earth in a responsible manner so as to preserve its
natural resources and avoid risking the ability of future generations to
satisfy their requirements is essential (Evans, 2020).

4. Social Stability
➢ Concepts pertaining to equity, empowerment, accessibility,
participation. Sharing, cultural identity, and the establishment of stable
institutions. It intends to achieve its goal of preserving the environment
through fostering economic expansion and working toward the
elimination of poverty (Basiago, 1999).

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WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?

➢ refers to the ability of a system to maintain balance and thrive over

the long term, without depleting resources or causing harm to the
environment or future generations.
➢ It encompasses environmental, social, and economic considerations,
and often involves making choices that support the well-being of
both current and future generations.

Sustainability and sustainable futures are treated here as the goals or

endpoints of a process called ‘sustainable development’. A sustainable
society is considered to be a society that has reached sustainability through
this process. So, it remains to define ‘sustainable development’.

Sustainability + stability= Sustainable development

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

➢ Is development that meets the need of the present without compromising

the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
➢ Comprises types of economic and social development which protect and
enhance the natural environment and social equity.

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Post-Test

1. It is meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.
2. It refers to techniques that encourage long-term economic growth without having
a negative influence on the social.
3. Concepts pertaining to equity, empowerment, accessibility, participation.
4. Means the ability of the system to keep it in the given parameters.
5. According to ________ environmental stability is Interacting with the earth in a
responsible manner so as to preserve its natural resources and avoid risking the
ability of future generations to satisfy their requirements is essential.
6. refers to the ability of a system to maintain balance and thrive over the long term,
without depleting resources or causing harm to the environment or future
generations.
7. This complex stability Ukrainian scientists name __________.
8. The state of the government in which there is no likelihood of an uprising
occurring since there is right governance in place, citizens are happy with their
lives, leaders are not corrupt, and citizens profit from all of the policies.

9-15. Why is sustainability important in today’s society ?

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KEY ANSWERS:

Post-Test

1. Sustainable development

2. Green

3. Social stability

4. Stability

5.Evans, 2020

6. Sustainability

7.economic stability of the enterprise

8. Political stability

9-15. Sustainability improves the quality of our lives, protects our

ecosystem and preserves natural resources for future generations.

Pre-Test

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References:
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/universidad-de-
manila/the-contemporary-world/sustainable-
development/32840927
https://www.scribd.com/document/625318876/Contemporary-
World-Topic-9-Sustainability-vs-Stability

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24
OBJECTIVES:

• Identify different three pillars of sustainability.

• The three pillars of sustainability are often defined as economic,
environmental, and social.

PRE-TEST: ESSAY

Directions: Explain each in FIVE (5) sentences.

1. In own opinion. Why is important of this topic in three pillars of

sustainability?
2. What did you learn from this topic titled three pillars of sustainability?

THE THREE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is about meeting the needs of present generations without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. There
are three main pillars of sustainability that many organizations strive to achieve:

What the is important?

Most national and international problem solving efforts focus on only one pillar at
a time. For example, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the
environmental protection agencies (EPA) of many nations, and environmental
NGOs focus on the environmental pillar. The World Trade Organization (WTO)
and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) focus
mostly on economic growth, thought the OECD gives some attention to social
sustainability, like war reduction and justice. The United Nations attempts to
strengthen all three pillars, but due to its consensual decision making process
and small budget has minor impact. The United Nations focuses mostly on the
economic pillar, since economic growth is what most of its members want most,
especially developing nations.

This leaves a void. No powerful international organization is working on the

sustainability problem as a whole, which would include all three pillars.

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However, as the Great Recession of 2008 demonstrated, weakness in the other
pillars can directly weaken the environmental pillar. Many nations and states are
cutting back or postponing stricter environmental laws or investment, since their
budgets are running deficits. Many environmental NGOs are seeing their income
fall. If the Great Recession grew substantially worse and morphed into another
Great Depression, you would expect the environmental pillar would get severely
less attention, since eating now is a priority over saving the environment.

The social pillar Is critical too. Once a war breaks out environmental sustainability
has zero priority. If a nation lives in dire poverty, the environment is pillaged with
little thought for the future.

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

Social sustainability icon Social sustainability is the ability of a social system,

such as a country, family, or organization, to function at a defined level of social
well being and harmony indefinitely. Problems like war, endemic poverty,
widespread injustice, and low education rates are symptoms a system is socially
unsustainable.

IMPORTANTE OF SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is simply defined as meeting the needs of the existing generations

in a way that does not compromise the ability of future generations to do the
same. It ensures the survival of our species without having any form of a
negative impact on the environment.

Being one of the three pillars of sustainability, social sustainability includes

acknowledging and managing the positive and negative impacts of businesses
on people. It facilitates the capacity of the present as well as future generations
to curate livable and healthy communities. Social sustainability helps in the
construction of a healthy community that can meet the needs of the present as
well as future generations. Sustainability issues in a business deal with the
impact of operations on society and people.

Comprehending social sustainability issues

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For companies, social sustainability issues include problems such as health,
safety, diversity, wellness, human rights, equitable labor practices,
empowerment, philanthropy, and more.

Social sustainability significantly impacts the quality of a company’s relationship

with its stakeholders. Furthermore, the United Nations identifies social
sustainability as crucial for any company. It is a constructive way for businesses
to ascertain the impact that their operations have on the local communities,
customers, employees, and other members of the value chain.

There are five dimensions of social sustainability that effectively determine

whether a business enterprise is socially sustainable. These can also be
regarded as the social sustainability issues that are being currently faced by the
population.

• Quality of life: an extensive dimension that dwells deep into a

variety of other aspects that have a considerable impact on the overall
quality of living. Some examples are healthcare support, education,
learning opportunities, employment, security, safety, and economic
accommodation.
• Equality: the inability of a specific group of individuals to get equal
access to facilities is one of the major social sustainability issues. It is
imperative to help these groups scale all barriers and practice seamless
control over their own lives. This dimension also involves the identification
of the causes of inequality and constructing strategies of mitigation.
• Diversity: leveraging the benefits of diversity is one of the most
important aspects of social sustainability. It involves identifying the needs
of all diverse groups, assessing their requirements, and encouraging
diverse perspectives in the communities.
• Governance and democracy: this dimension ascertains whether or
not the required budget and resources are allocated to maintain the
smooth operation of sustainability programs.
• Social cohesion: This dimension involves the participation
enhancement of an individual in a target group. Moreover, it assists target
groups in contributing to society by allowing them better access to civic
and public institutions.

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Social sustainability issues are focused on mitigating concerns like racism and
discrimination in social communities, schools, and workplaces. Moreover, it helps
in the creation of a diverse community that presents equal opportunities for
healthcare to all.

Social sustainability: a few benefits

• Healthy and interconnected communities: social sustainability

focuses on the construction of healthy communities through both formal
and informal measures. Social sustainability is about communities that are
interconnected, democratic, equitable, varied, and Democratic.
• Health and well-being: social sustainability seeks to bridge the gaps
of inequality and helps everyone get equal access to healthcare facilities.
This contributes to the overall well-being of every individual.
• A perspective shift : being aware of social sustainability leads to a
significant perspective shift. The population transforms from mere
consumption and production to supporting the overall well-being of
associations and community improvement.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental sustainability icon Environmental sustainability is the ability of the

environment to support a defined level of environmental quality and natural
resource extraction rates indefinitely. This is the world’s biggest actual problem,
though since the consequences of not solving the problem now are delayed, the
problem receives too low a priority to solve.

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What is Environmental Sustainability and Why Is It Important?

Even if you are committed to the fight against climate change, you may be
unsure of the answer to “what is environmental sustainability?” The standard
definition of environmental sustainability equates to environmentally sustainable
development, but what does that mean on a practical level? It means there must
be a balanced relationship between the natural resources available to us and the
human consumption of those resources:

• For renewable resources like crops or timber, the rate of harvest

shouldn’t exceed the rate of regeneration. This is known as “sustainable
yield.
• For non-renewable resources like fossil fuels, the rate of depletion
shouldn’t exceed the rate of development of renewable alternatives like
solar or wind power.

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 • For pollution, the rates of waste generation shouldn’t exceed the
capacity of the environment to assimilate that waste. This is known as
“sustainable waste disposal.

In short, environmental sustainability states that the rates of renewable resource

harvest, non-renewable resource depletion, and pollution assimilation can be
naturally maintained indefinitely. The United Nations World Commission on
Environment and Development goes further, defining environmental sustainability
as behaving today in a way that ensures that future generations will have enough
natural resources to maintain a quality of life equal to if not better than that of
current generations.

Achieving a balance between natural resources and human consumption that is

both respectful of the natural world yet fuels our modern way of life, is one of the
most important pieces in the climate-change puzzle. With unchecked resource
depletion, we risk a global food crisis, energy crisis, and an increase in
greenhouse gas emissions that will lead to a global warming crisis. On the other
hand, with too many restrictions on the use of natural resources, we risk slowing
technological and economic advancement.

For the future of our planet and the humans who populate it, it’s vital to weigh the
competing needs of environmental protection and human development so both
the natural world and society are able to flourish. Striking this delicate balance is
challenging—though not impossible—and issues surrounding sustainability, the
environment, and society have been the focus of scientists, philosophers,
politicians, and policy experts for decades.

Environmental Sustainability Issues

Achieving environmental and economic sustainability is not without challenge.

There are a number of issues surrounding this delicate balance between
preserving our ecosystem while guaranteeing a high quality of life.

Most experts talk about the “three pillars of sustainability” as a means of

achieving and maintaining complete sustainability:

30
 1. Environmental protection: conserving ecosystems, air quality, integrity, and
sustainability of our resources to provide a clean and healthy environment.
2. Economic development: providing a satisfactory level of economic well-
being today while not compromising the ability of future generations to
enjoy the same financial benefits.
3. Social development: providing access to basic resources to ensure a high
level of social fulfillment, including the end to poverty and hunger, better
standards of education and healthcare, and improved sanitation and water
quality.

When all three pillars are solid, the needs of both the planet and human society
are being met in a way that guarantees the survival of both. That said, of the
three pillars, the first tier is environmental sustainability, as social and economic
sustainability is ultimately dependent upon a clean and healthy environment.

Economic Sustainability

Economic sustainability icon Economic sustainability is the ability of an economy

to support a defined level of economic production indefinitely. Since the Great
Recession of 2008 this is the world’s biggest apparent problem, which endangers
progress on the environmental sustainability problem.

Why is Sustainable Economics Important?

The benefits of choosing to run your business with sustainable economics in

mind are almost endless. However, there are 3 main advantages that jump out:

Better business conduct = thriving global economy

Competition can mean a race to the bottom but it also drives betterment. The
more businesses that are received well due to their green credentials, the more
other businesses will adopt this approach. New businesses will more likely set
themselves up for putting sustainable practices into every aspect of their new
venture, instead of as an afterthought. In turn, success will breed success.

31
Economic sustainability will positively boost your profits, efficiency, and customer
satisfaction.

Improvement of lives

Certain decisions, such as taking measures to reduce carbon emissions or

improve insulation, will result in cleaner air, cleaner water and better housing.
Thus, more people will be living under better circumstances.

Planet preservation

If the above reasons aren’t enough- how about saving the planet? Everyone
knows and has now accepted that if we continue down this current trajectory, we
will run out of the planet’s limited resources by 2040. Therefore it isn’t really a
choice anymore. We all must take action. We all must find new ways of running
things that actually regenerate the earth.

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POST-TEST: WRITTEN WORDS

Direction: Enumeration. Give the following.

Give me (3) Three pillars of sustainability (in order)

1.

2.

3.

5 concepts of zero waste (in order)

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Five dimensions of social sustainability (in order)

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

Type of resource is sustainable

14.

15.

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KEY ANSWERS:

POST-TEST

1. Social sustainability
2. Economic sustainability
3. Environmental sustainability
4. Refuse
5. Reduce
6. Reuse
7. Recycle
8. Rot
9. Quality of life
10. Equality
11. Diversity
12. Governance and democracy
13. Social cohesion
14. Renewable resources
15. Non-renewable resources

34
References:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/importance-economic-sustainability-your-
business-lumenstream

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/importance-economic-sustainability-your-
business-lumenstream

https://www.cooleffect.org/the-importance-of-environmental-sustainability

https://www.se.com/ww/en/work/campaign/articles/social-sustainability-
issues-a-comprehensive-
insight.jsp#:~:text=Social%20sustainability%3A%20explained&text=It%20en
sures%20the%20survival%20of,impacts%20of%20businesses%20on%20pe
ople

https://www.thwink.org/sustain/glossary/ThreePillarsOfSustainability.htm

35
 17 Sustainable
Development Goals

36
OBJECTIVE:

• Aim to empower individuals with the knowledge, skills, and

mindset needed to contribute to the realization of the SDGs and
create a more sustainable and equitable world.

PRE-TEST: TRUE OR FALSE

Direction: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if this wrong. Write
your answer on the blank before the statement.

______1. In 2015, world leaders (United Nations) committed to 20

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2015, world leaders (United
Nations) committed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
______2. Modern advances in technology have resulted in a reduced
global demand for energy to support Residential, commercial, and
industrial buildings.
______3. According to the United Nations and the World Bank, 1 in 7
people are living in extreme poverty.
______4. A city can be defined as any location with defined political
boundaries, has a form or government, and that supports a population over
one million. A large urban area that has a name, defined boundaries, and a
form of government. Larger than a town, village, etc. Density of population:
2000-5000 minimum (Mega > 10M).
______5. South America and Sub-Saharan Africa are commonly regarded
as the poorest regions of the world and in need of the most international
support to encourage meaningful sustainable development. South Asia and
Sub-Saharan Africa are commonly regarded as the poorest regions of the
world and in need of the most international support to encourage
meaningful sustainable development.
_______6. Green taxes are aimed at correcting the market to reflect the
true cost of natural resources uses.

37
_______7. Member states of the United Nations recognized the concepts
of Global / Universal Human rights for “Strategic Stability” after WWII;
mainly to help prevent future global warfare.

_______8. Adam Smith in “The Wealth of Nations (1776)” argued against

education and religious instruction as an undue burden on society as a
whole and should be minimized in an effort to maximize capital wealth.
_______9. Tertiary Education is the most valuable with regards to personal
economics and lifetime productivity.
________10. Malaria, HIV, and a host of fatal childhood diseases are
effectively treatable, but due to economics are allowed to persist in the
developing world.

What Is the 2030 Agenda?

The 17 goals came with the adaptation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development which was adopted by all United Nations Member States in
2015. These goals are associated with this agenda. The 2030 Agenda “is a
plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity,” and the goals show the
dedication of the UN to this plan of action.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals represent a major international

commitment. These are the strategic pillars on which each of them rests:
1. End poverty: increase access to resources and provide aid to
communities most affected by conflict or natural disasters.
2. Zero hunger: ensure investment in the infrastructure and technology
needed to improve agricultural productivity.
3. Health and well-being: reducing inequality and ensuring good health for
all people.
4. Quality education: promote inclusive, quality education so that all
children complete primary and secondary education.

38
5. Gender equality: ensure equal rights, as well as universal access to
reproductive health.
6. Clean water and sanitation: ensure universal access to safe drinking
water and provide adequate sanitation facilities to maintain proper
hygiene.
7. Affordable and clean energy: improve energy productivity by investing
in clean energy sources.
8. Decent work and economic growth: stimulate sustainable economic
growth by increasing productivity and types of innovation.
9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure: reduce the digital divide and
promote sustainable industries by increasing investment in research
and innovation.
10. Reducing inequalities: improve market regulation and promoting
migration and mobility of people.
11. Sustainable cities and communities: ensure access to safe housing
and investing in public transportation and urban management.
12. Responsible production and consumption: meet consumption needs
by creating more efficient production chains and reducing food waste.
13. Climate action: adopt measures to reduce the risk of natural
disasters and prevent the global average temperature from rising.
14. Underwater life: protect marine and coastal ecosystems from land-
based pollution.
15. Life of terrestrial ecosystems: preserve natural habitats and
biodiversity.
16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions: exchange ideas to find lasting
solutions to conflicts and promote human rights.
17. Partnership to achieve the goals: promote cooperation and support
international trade to achieve a universal system that benefits all.

39
Repsol and Sustainable Development.
At Repsol, we are committed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the 17
Sustainable Development Goals. We integrate them into our strategic line,
transfer them to all levels, and materialize them in concrete actions such as:

• Global Sustainability Plan: Agenda 2030 promotes collaboration

between public and private companies to achieve the goals described
above. Therefore, at Repsol, we prepare a report detailing the results of
our annual Global Sustainability Plan, with more than forty medium-
term objectives and yearly lines of action.
• Success stories – SDG 2021 Report: Following our sustainability
objectives, we have carried out numerous projects, turning them into
success stories for their positive impact and contribution to the SDGs.
In addition, we report on all our actions in a truthful, clear, and verifiable
way, preparing an SDG Report for the last three years, with the
company’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals of the
2030 Agenda.

40
POST-TEST: MULTIPLE CHOICE

Direction: Choose the BEST answer for the following questions. Write only
of the correct answer.

1. Agenda 2030 is regarded as the global treaty of the future because the
17 goals ensure that
A. People are living in peace
B. The climate change is stopped
C. The world is becoming suitable for grandchildren

2. 193 states, all members of the UN, have signed the Agenda 2030. But
there are more states in the world, what about them?
A. Their status is controversial, e.g. Kosovo is not recognized by the
UN as an independent state.
B. They are against the agreement
C. They do not want to be a member of the UN.

3. The UN wants to move towards a peaceful world. But what important

aspect of the SDGs remains untouched?
A. Global Financial Transaction Tax
B. Arms exports
C. Economic growth

4. Which actors the Agenda 2030 has in mind?

A. All together
B. Civil society organizations
C. States, municipalities, universities, institutions

5. What does NOT match the Agenda 2030?

A. It is a vision for a better world.
B. It is a declaration of intent by all states.
C. It is a concrete instruction manual for a sustainable transformation.

41
6. What does transformation mean?
A. Abrupt turnaround
B. Basic reorganization
C. Minimum adjustment

7. The Agenda 2030 emphasizes the goal of sustainable economic growth.

What goal does not conflict with this?
A. Gender equality
B. Nature and resource conservation
C. Eliminate inequality

8. Which SDG is considered the greatest global challenge?

A. Global energy system transformation
B. Eradicate poverty worldwide
C. Education for all

9. Which of these impacts are NOT associated with sustainable

development?
A. Intergenerational Equity
B. Resilience enhancement
C. Wastage of resources

10. Who monitors the achievement of the goals?

A. The national governments control themselves
B. An UN commission evaluates implementation on the basis of an
annual SDG progress report by the UN Secretary-General
C. A specially founded SDG – TÜV is to develop effective inspection
mechanisms by 2022

42
KEY ANSWERS:
Pre-Test
1. True
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. False
6. True
7. True
8. True
9. True
10. True

Post-Test
1. C
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. A
8. B
9. C
10.B

43
References:

https://www.repsol.com/en/energy-and-the-

future/future-of-the-world/sustainable-

development/index.cshtml

44