Sustainability

Definition
There are many definitions for sustainability, but they all share a common theme:

UN World Commission on Environment and Development: “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

The World Commission on Environment and Development: "A process of change in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development and institutional change are all in harmony and enhance both current and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations."

From Making London Work by Forum for the Future's Sustainable Wealth London project: "In essence sustainable development is about five key principles: quality of life; fairness and equity; participation and partnership; care for our environment and respect for ecological constraints - recognising there are 'environmental limits'; and thought for the future and the precautionary principle."

Caring for the Earth, IUCN, p8.: "The guiding rules are that people must share with each other and care for the Earth. Humanity must take no more from nature than nature can replenish. This in turn means adopting lifestyles and development paths that respect and work within nature's limits. It can be done without rejecting the many benefits that modern technology has brought, provided that technology also works within those limits."

The "Triple Bottom Line"
The triple bottom line is a new principle that helps us quantify sustainability into the decision making process.

When leaders in business, politics or the non-profit community need to develop their products, make new rules or find their next initiative direction, the standard in the 90's and early 2000's was the double bottom line (social and fiscal concerns). The triple bottom line goes one step further and incorporates the environment into the equation, bringing new dimensions into the decision to pursue a certain path to make sure that it is equitable not only for people and profit but also for the planet.