Question

A friend of yours claims the following: ''Sustainable development is an oxymoron. Sustainability
implies stability. Development implies change. The world has finite resources, and economies
are growing. How could development and sustainability then not be contradictory?'' Using
precise arguments and examples, explain to your friend why you disagree.

Answer 1

Sustainability concentrates on meeting the requirements of today without compromising the capability of future generations to fulfill their needs. The notion of sustainability is composed of 3 pillars:- environmental, economic & social.

Sustainability fosters corporations to make decisions with regard to years & decades instead of on the following quarter's earnings report & to consider more elements than only the profit / loss involved. Normally, a corporation will issue sustainability aims & will operate towards them. The goals are usually reasonable—cut down emissions by 5 per cent, for instance—so that when the company attains their sustainability marks, they’re able to call themselves ‘green’ / ‘sustainable.’

These firms can attain their sustainable needs by cutting discharges, lower energy use, obtaining products from fair-trade establishments, & by making sure that their physical waste is disposed of appropriately with a low carbon footprint .

Cons of Sustainability-

The push for sustainability is apparent in domains like energy generation where the focus has been on discovering new deposits in order to outpace the drawdown on prevailing reserves. Some electricity firms, for instance, now publicly declare goals for energy production from sustainable sources like hydro, wind & solar.

However, moving toward sustainable manufacturing is usually a complicated process for firms. By basing decisions on lengthier timelines, some of the greater upfront investments in efficacy & renewable sources are simpler to justify. Investors have had to modify their expectations for returns as a firm which commits to the sustainable development may have more moderate earnings outcomes in the near term.

Several firms have been criticized for using cost-cutting methods like offshoring production to get inexpensive labor. This practice, though advantageous for the bottom line, usually comes at the price of compromised labor safety .

Case of Sustainability -

These big retailers & hotels are protecting their brand in the eyes of their consumers, but these decisions also filter thru the supply chain. When a big firm like Walmart commits to sustainability, suppliers & producers, worldwide who supply to Walmart must report on their corporate practices.

This includes sourcing foodstuff , clothing articles & electronics from companies & nations which not just treat their employees well but are dedicated towards sustainability down the chain also. If there’re practices which are unsustainable, the suppliers must discontinue them to continue to serve Walmart.