What is Sustainability?

The term sustainability comes originally from forestry. As early as the 18th century it was used to describe a form of woodland management where the amount of timber felled did not exceed the volume of wood growing to replace it. According to a more recent definition by the Brundtland Commission:

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

There are many aspects of sustainable development – protecting nature and the environment, mobility and transport, consumption and production, health and nutrition. It also affects every area of our society – work, education, research, public spending, the law and government.

Crucially, sustainable development has to have regard for environmental, economic and social concerns – at regional, national and international level.