Skip to content

Ask an Academic

  • Home
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us
Crowd of people

Challenges and pathways for sustainability

September 20, 2019 by AskanAcademic.com

challenges and pathways for sustainability

Question

What are the challenges and pathways for sustainability

Answer

Sustainability can be defined as “a process that helps create a vibrant economy and a high quality of life, while respecting the need to sustain natural resources and protect the environment. It expresses the principle that future generations should live in a world that the present generation has enjoyed but not diminished.” (Clough et al 2006). The following dimensions of sustainability must be addressed in order to achieve this vision:

• current and future humans are reasonably healthy;

• communities and nations are secure, peaceful and thriving;

• there is economic opportunity for all;

• and the integrity of the life-supporting biosphere is restored and sustained.

With the notion of ‘pathway’ conveying the way in which a given system changes over time, depending on the issue in question, attention might, for instance, be on a household, a locality, a region, a national health or innovation system, a broader social-ecological system, or a global regulatory system – as
well as on the ways that pathways of change in each of these interact. For example, a global pact promotes dialogue and collaboration in the exchange of information, knowledge and skills in support of a range of initiatives to accelerate sustainability

The present economic system often rewards the most unsustainable practices and by doing so prolongs the pathology of the status quo, monopolizes resources, maintains the power structure and decreases the opportunity for a new system to be designed and built that serves people and the environment in a sustainable and humane way.

Sustainability can be difficult to value from a monetary stand-point, making it challenging for CFO’s and other executives to understand the importance of environmental stewardship. Data-driven metrics can help smooth this process, making it possible for finance and sustainability teams to work together to create new, cost-effective plans. Providing those metrics, however, can be difficult.

References

Clough, G. Wayne; Chameau, Jean-Lou; Carmichael, Carol (2006) Sustainability and the University. Presidency, v9 n1 p30-32, 35, 37-38

Post navigation

Previous Post:

Our Services

Next Post:

The difference between psychology and common sense

Search Q&As

Categories

  • Art Media and Literature (74)
  • Business and Management (256)
  • Computing and ICT (14)
  • Construction and Engineering (35)
  • Education (90)
  • Environmental Sciences (2)
  • Finance and Economics (91)
  • Health (64)
  • Languages (12)
  • Law (88)
  • Mathematics and Statistics (2)
  • Medical Sciences (19)
  • Politics and International Relations (83)
  • Research Methodology (1)
  • Science (49)
  • Social Sciences (101)

Archives

Who We Are

Askanacademic.com is owned and operated by All Answers Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. Company Registration No: 4964706. VAT Registration No: 842417633. Data Controller No: Z1821391.

Registered office:
Venture House
Cross Street
Arnold
Nottingham
NG5 7PJ

Main Navigation

  • Home
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us

Legals

  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Categories

  • Business and Management
  • Law
  • Finance and Economics
  • Health
An an Academic Logo
© 2023 Ask an Academic | WordPress Theme by Superb Themes
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Reject
Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT