Environmental sustainability is a key concept for our planet and those who will come after us; it refers to the ability to maintain the balance of natural ecosystems over the long term. How? By using the Earth’s resources consciously and responsibly and reducing, for example, greenhouse gas emissions.
But what does environmental sustainability mean specifically? How can we help promote it? Why should we do so? Read on to find out!
Table of contents
What is environmental sustainability in short?
What is meant by environmental sustainability?
- for sustainable use of resources, the rhythm of use should be less than the rate at which they regenerate;
- the depletion of non-renewable resources should be offset by a shift to fully renewable resources;
- for a sustainable emission rate of waste and scrap, the rate at which they are produced should not exceed the time it takes nature to dispose of them.
Concept of environmental sustainability history
The concept of sustainability is not new but has much older origins. In one of his essays, Jacobus Du Pisani, Professor of History at the North-West University in Potchefstroom (South Africa), states that some philosophers (such as Plato and Pliny the Elder) were already talking about it between the 5th and 1st centuries BC. Philosophers were aware of the damage caused to the environment by human activities and, therefore, debated practices to protect its ‘eternal youth‘.
Rather, with the industrial revolutions, the idea spread that technological progress was leading humanity towards a mythical ‘golden age‘. With time, however, certain doubts and concerns also emerged about the environmental and social consequences of uncontrolled development.
Examples of this are the essays dealing with these topics in the 18th century. Among many, we mention ‘Sylvicultura Oeconomica‘ written by Hans Carl von Carlowitz in 1713, in which the term ‘sustainable use‘ appears for the first time, which the author uses to indicate the need to replace cut trees with new ones.
In those years, several publications touched on similar themes, such as Thomas Malthus’ ‘An Essay on the Principle of Population‘ (1798). In this work, the English economist expounded on the problem of excessive population growth in relation to the resources available at the time.
Development cannot go on forever
The idea that development should be regulated emerged in 1969, when sustainable development was mentioned for the first time in an official document, signed by 33 African countries.
That same year, the United States established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), whose guidelines influenced the first environmental theories, globally.
In 1992, however, at the UN Conference in Rio de Janeiro, the definition of environmental sustainability contained in the 1987 UN Brundtland Report was expanded to include the concepts of social justice and equity.
From 21 Agenda to 2030 Agenda
The concepts already mentioned are enshrined in 21 Agenda, a document adopted in 1992 by 170 countries to define the guidelines for sustainable development in the early 2000s.
In 2015, 21 Agenda was replaced by 2030 Agenda, a document signed by the governments of the 193 UN member states and approved by the UN General Assembly.
The document outlines 17 sustainable development goals, also called Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to be achieved by 2030.
The goals of 2030 Agenda are global and concern and involve all countries and all components of society, from public administration (PA) to private individuals and industries.
Goals pursued by environmental sustainability
- conservation of natural resources;
- the reduction of pollution;
- the protection of biodiversity;
- climate change mitigation;
- long-term sustainable development.
European Green Deal
European Union has also revised its growth strategy, adopting a policy to accelerate the ecological transition. These policies are called the Green Deal.
The aim of the Green Deal, adopted by the European Commission on 14 July 2021, is to rebuild the post-pandemic European society from a green perspective.
Green Deal in short
Europe would like to become the first climate neutral continent; the deadline is set for 2050. By 2030, it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55%. To do so, it will make use of administrative and non-administrative tools, incentives and targeted actions.
However, the objective remains very broad: the Green Deal also aims to create new jobs, directly related to ecology, health and the well-being of citizens.
'15 minutes city' model, an alternative way of experiencing the city
Making cities green will also require a new way of thinking. There is talk, in this regard, of ‘15-minutes cities‘, so called because ideally everything you need is a maximum of a 15-minutes walk away from you.
It is an urban planning model in which each neighbourhood is a completely autonomous cell; a model that allows for the enhancement of the area and the creation of links with other citizens in their area of residence.
In Italy, the first experiments were conducted in Milan, Naples, Rome and Catania, where pilot urban regeneration projects were launched, revitalising entire suburbs.
Environmental Sustainability Indicators
Core environmental indicators (CEI)
Key environmental indicators (KEI)
Sectoral environmental indicators (SEI)
Indicators derived from environmental accounting
Decoupling environmental indicators (DEI)
Decoupling environmental indicators assess the intensity of pressure in relation to economic growth.
Each indicator refers to certain key elements, such as climate change, air quality, fresh water resources, material waste, biological resources and biodiversity.
Will AI save the planet?
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a valuable ally in environmental sustainability. For example, in finding resources for the smart cities of the future or in reducing waste in today’s cities.
A study published in the scientific journal Nature Communication deals with this very topic. According to the group of researchers, AI could play a key role in achieving 93% of the goals set by the 2030 Agenda.
However, as we all know, using AI also entails risks; therefore, a regulatory effort will be needed with a view to supervising the technology. ‘Otherwise,’ the scholars point out, ‘there could be gaps in transparency, security and ethical standards‘.
Develop a green project with us, be part of the change
IPPO Engineering, a subsidiary of IPPOCRATE AS, has been fighting climate change for years. With our research centre PMF Research, we fight every day to keep the planet in balance.
There are many challenges to overcome, but together we can do it. Contact us to devise a project concerning environmental sustainability. Call now (+390954683879) or send us an e-mail via the form below.
Environmental sustainability requires immediate action, be part of the change.