What is Sustainability?

Sustainability has many definitions, but one of the most common definitions used today is that of the Brundtland Commission established in 1987, where is says: ”

• “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. It contains within it two key concepts:
  • the concept of ‘needs’, in particular the essential needs of the world’s poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and
  • the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs.”

This graphic shows in more detail what is meant by this concept:

Sustainability: Source, University of Windsor