THE MAGAZINE FOR THE DRAINAGE, WATER & WASTEWATER INDUSTRIES
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The definition of sustainability
According to Wikipedia the word ‘sustainability’ means the capacity to endure in a relatively ongoing way across various domains of life. In the 21st century it has become the reference generally to the capacity for Earth’s biosphere and human civilisation to co-exist. There are often three pillars to it referenced: economic viability (economy), environmental protection (environment) and social equity (society). Or, put more simply: profit, planet and people. And, let’s face it; people are the ones who impact the planet most with their constant striving for profit. So, we are also the ones who can change the dynamic, if we want to. If sustainability is the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level, what we put in must dictate what we get out (or, to quote an old saying: you reap what you sow).
The term sustainability now broadly encompasses many things, from characterising improvements in areas like natural resources over-exploitation, manufacturing operations, linear product consumption, lifestyle and consumer purchasing behaviours. If an action causes little, less or no harm to the natural world, it can often be deemed sustainable.
But is it a strategy rather than a ‘thing’? Some companies – such as Cala Homes who
commented in Housebuilder on 8 April – refer to it as a strategy in the race towards net zero carbon in its houses built and net zero greenhouse gas emissions. So, is it also a way of doing things differently?
The pandemic transformed our environment into cleaner air, clearer skies and empty streets and nature made good use of it. However, with everything now opening up again, surely we have an opportunity to rethink how we work, travel and socialise? Getting out of that polluting vehicle and onto two legs or a bicycle has to be good for us as well as for the environment. Even just working from home a couple of days a week should help. The aircraft industry has taken a bit of a beating of late and many Brits are taking staycations this year. That should reduce our carbon footprint a little. But what actually is sustainable? Sustainable means lasting. Can we evolve newly formed habits into long-lasting sustainable activities that benefit the planet?
What is being said and done about sustainability and who should we listen to?
The UK is hosting the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow, aimed at accelerating action towards the Paris Agreement goals and the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Some quite significant commitments have been made towards improving the planet, not least within our islands, to try to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. Glasgow has announced ahead of the event that it will plant 18 million trees over the next decade. But is planting trees enough?
There was a bit of an outcry when the Government recently scrapped the Green Homes Grant scheme, supposedly through lack of take-up, and at very short notice. The National Retrofit Strategy is now being talked about but will it help the UK’s sustainability drive?
There are even sustainability ‘bonds’ being created, committing those issuing them to achieve their stated goals on climate action and sustainability, such as from Daimler, Natura & Co, Whitbread and Mastercard. More will undoubtedly follow on this wide and all- encompassing subject.
What used to be termed corporate social governance (CSG) has now become environmental and social governance (ESG). Let’s look at some companies’ ESG programmes to see where sustainability stands with them.
Mike Barry led Marks & Spencer’s ‘Plan A’ sustainability campaign and he recently provided three tips for those wanting to
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