1.
Sustainable development - A development strategy that meets present needs without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
2. Ecosystem services - Benefits that humans receive from natural environments, such as clean
water, air, and pollination.
3. Resource depletion - The exhaustion of natural resources due to overuse or unsustainable
practices.
4. Biodiversity loss - The reduction in the variety of life forms on Earth, which can disrupt
ecosystems.
5. Social inequality - Uneven distribution of resources and opportunities within a society, often
causing disparities between different groups.
6. Environmental degradation - The deterioration of the environment due to harmful human
activities, such as deforestation and pollution.
7. Legislative operations - Government processes related to creating, amending, and
implementing laws.
8. Carbon footprint - The total amount of greenhouse gases produced by an individual,
organization, or activity.
9. Brundtland Report - A 1987 report from the World Commission on Environment and
Development that defined sustainable development.
10. Capitalist practices - Economic systems that prioritize private ownership and profit-making,
sometimes at the expense of social or environmental health.
11. Paradigm shift - A fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions.
12. Finite resources - Natural resources, like fossil fuels or minerals, that are limited in quantity
and not replenished on a human timescale.
13. Equitable consumption patternsn- Fair and balanced use of resources, ensuring everyone
has access to what they need.
14. Technological innovation - The development of new technologies to solve problems or
improve efficiency, sometimes without addressing sustainability issues.
15. Ecological well-being - The overall health and balance of ecosystems, essential for
sustaining life on Earth.
16. Carbon Footprint - The total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide,
emitted into the atmosphere due to the activities of an individual, organization, or product. It
measures the environmental impact of activities like transportation, energy use, and
consumption.
INTRODUCTION
Sustainable development is a concept that focuses on achieving human
development goals which aims to provide the natural resources without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This approach was
formally adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 which will be implemented
in every country from 2016 to 2030. This concept has gained significant prominence in recent
decades, emerging as an essential tool to examine global challenges. However, according to
Ariola (2018), the term itself has been subject to various interpretations and criticisms, raising
questions about its true meaning and effectiveness.
OBJECTIVES FOR TODAYS DISCUSSION:
• To discuss, explore, and learn about models of sustainable development and how to
implement them effectively.
• To gain insights from analysts, economists, and organizations about sustainable
development.
• To imagine the realistic application of different approaches to have a sustainable
development in a real-life simulation scenario.
• To have an interactive discussion filled with learning and enjoyment.
MAIN BODY DIVISION
3 PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITY
PHILIPPINES SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
BARRIERS IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
WAYS TO FIGHT BARRIERS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
MAIN BODY
Sustainable development is the organizing concept for achieving human development goals
while maintaining the capacity of natural systems to deliver ecosystem services and natural
resources that are essential to the economy and society. As the global population grows,
achieving sustainability becomes increasingly difficult. It drives higher demands for resources
like food, water, energy, and land.
Also, there are some critical sustainability issues associated with rapid population growth, such
as resource depletion, climate change, land use and biodiversity loss, and social inequality in
access to resources. Some people make efforts, and governments implement strategies for
society, but is it enough to sustain life and ensure continuous development?
3 PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITY: ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY, SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY.
• Economic sustainability focuses on promoting growth that benefits society without
depleting resources or causing harm to the environment. It encourages businesses to adopt
practices that reduce waste, increase efficiency, and innovate in ways that are economically
viable in the long run.
• This aspect emphasizes responsible management of natural resources like air, water, soil,
and biodiversity. It includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving ecosystems,
transitioning to renewable energy, and minimizing waste. Sustainable development
encourages practices like recycling, reducing pollution, and investing in clean energy
technologies.
• Social sustainability aims to create equitable societies where everyone has access to
resources, opportunities, and basic needs such as education, healthcare, housing, and safe
working conditions. It promotes social inclusion, justice, and participation in decision-
making processes.
THE 3 P’S
People
Profit
Planet
PDP-2023-2028-Primer.pdf • The overall goal is to reinvigorate job creation and poverty
reduction by steering the economy back to its high-growth
path.
• To arrest inflation
• creating more JOBS, quality JOBS, and green JOBS.
• To reduce vulnerability and remedy the scars from COVID 19.
The United Nations has created a set of global targets to address challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate,
environmental degradation, prosperity, peace, and justice. These goals include seventeen development objectives:
poverty eradication, zero hunger, good health, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation,
decent work, affordable energy, industry growth, inequality reduction, sustainable cities, responsible
consumption, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice, and strong institutions.
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
Economic sustainability is a practice of conserving natural and financial resources to create long-term financial
stability. The goal of economic sustainability is to achieve economic growth without making the negative
environmental trade-offs that traditionally go hand in hand with growth. Economic sustainability is a broad
collection of decision-making principles and corporate practices
The modern concept of sustainable development is also based on earlier theories of sustainable forest
management and environmental concerns of the 20th century. As the concept evolved, it began to focus on
environmental protection for future generations, social development, and particularly economic development.
Economic systems have always prioritized profit and wealth accumulation over nurturing nature, which provides
the resources and raw materials needed for development and progress (Plociennik, 2014).
The article "The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Profits" by Milton Friedman, published in 1970,
argues that the primary responsibility of businesses is to increase profits for their shareholders. Friedman asserts
that corporate executives should focus on maximizing shareholder value rather than engaging in social causes.
According to him, businesses are not equipped to take on social responsibilities, and such activities should be left
to individuals or governments. This view has been highly debated, especially in the context of corporate social
responsibility (CSR), which advocates for businesses considering the social and environmental impacts of their
actions in addition to profit.
Friedman’s position represents a traditional view of capitalism, where profit maximization is seen as the
fundamental role of business. Critics of this viewpoint argue that businesses, due to their broad impact on society,
should play a more active role in addressing issues like environmental sustainability, worker welfare, and social
equity.
Milton Friedman’s (1970) assertion that a business’s primary responsibility is to maximize profits reflects a profit-
centric mindset often adopted by businesses and governments. This approach frequently sacrifices sustainability
in pursuit of short-term material gains, leading to significant environmental and social consequences. As
Plociennik (2014) highlights, this raises a critical question: how long can the environment withstand the cumulative
damage caused by such unsustainable practices? The tension between profit-driven goals and the need for long-
term ecological preservation underscores the importance of integrating sustainability into economic systems.
COMPANIES WITH CSR: Jollibee, Philippine Airlines, San Miguel Corporation, (international: Ecosia,GCash
Forest)
The environment should be protected while allowing for profit generation. Governments and organizations must
prioritize the security and protection of natural resources. The way the world manages its finite resources
significantly impacts both the environment and the global population. Consumption practices should also be
examined carefully, ensuring that only what is necessary for survival is used. Overconsumption leads to
deprivation and harm to underprivileged individuals and future generations, posing a challenge to sustainable
development.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Environmental Sustainability - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
Environmental sustainability is a system of interconnections of living organisms to the ecosystems that they
inhabit and depend on air, water, soil, and other environmental resources. It is also closely linked to the
socioeconomic condition of living beings. Because it is difficult to have a sustainable society without a sustainable
productive environment that provides the base for resources.
WAYS TO ATTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY:
• Reduce their carbon footprint.
• Invest in clean and sustainable mobility.
• Buy only what is necessary.
• Support tree planting and campaign against warrantless tree cutting.
• Reduce plastic use.
• Patronize sustainably produced goods and services.
• Urge local leaders to adopt environmentally friendly measures.
By adopting these steps, individuals can contribute to the balanced achievement of personal and societal
development goals in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. Embracing these sustainable practices
helps build a more resilient world.
The environment is a critical global concern, and actions must align with environmentally friendly principles. As
tax-paying citizens, individuals can hold government officials accountable by demanding environmentally friendly
policies through peaceful and responsible means such as:
• Dialogues
• Town hall meetings
• Letters
Share your thoughts and creative ways to contribute to environmental improvement. As we share a single planet,
our actions have a direct impact on others. The interconnectedness of the modern world highlights the need to
challenge prevailing belief systems and address environmental issues collaboratively.
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Social sustainability is about making sure that communities and societies can thrive and continue to
exist in a healthy, fair, and equal way. It focuses on improving people’s quality of life, fostering strong
relationships, and ensuring everyone has the chance to fulfill their potential.
Diamond (2005) identifies key factors—environmental degradation, population growth, and resource
mismanagement—as significant contributors to societal decline. These factors are particularly relevant
today as societies grapple with environmental crises, food insecurity, and rapid population growth.
Modern economists also highlight extreme inequality, financial instability, and governmental inaction as
parallel challenges affecting economic sustainability. Neglecting these issues not only threatens the
stability of economies but also worsens individuals' quality of life, demonstrating the interconnectedness
of environmental and economic sustainability. Addressing these intertwined issues is crucial to fostering
resilience and ensuring long-term societal well-being.
The collapse of an economy often results from systems that prioritize short-term profits over sustainable
ecological and social health. When entities focus primarily on maximizing revenue, they may overlook the
long-term impacts, such as environmental degradation, resource depletion, or social inequality. Over
time, these unsustainable practices weaken economic stability, leading to broader systemic issues that
ultimately become the responsibility of those who contributed to them. Sustainable approaches that
balance profit with environmental and social considerations are critical to prevent such collapses and
ensure long-term resilience.
The four principles of social sustainability:
1. Quality of Life: Ensures access to services like housing, healthcare, education, work, and safety for better
living conditions.
2. Equality: Reduces disadvantages, empowers marginalized groups, and addresses root causes of inequities.
3. Diversity: Represents and meets the needs of diverse communities through inclusion and education.
4. Social Cohesion: Promotes participation, collaboration, and connection between groups to build stronger
communities.
