FOCUS FEATURE
SUSTAINABILITY
time, especially the electronic sector. Sustainability is only implementable in a society that reaches a certain degree of development, as basic human needs are fulfilled and potential for environmental and social consideration is free. A decoupling of economic growth and environmental
degradation is achievable. A possible scenario is a steady state economy with material flow from renewable resources through the system to disposal that allows a natural recovery of the material, internal recycling of limited resources and an economic growth mainly based on the tertiary sector. Until a decoupling is feasible, the objective is to minimise the environmental damage by efficiency and innovation. Certain material resources are limited. Therefore, either those materials are exchanged for renewable materials or recycled. The second law of thermodynamics states that 100%
recycling is not possible, as the effort increases drastically if 100% recycling is approached, and might not be feasible. Nevertheless, high recycling rates ensure the longer usage of limited resources to find reasonable substitutions. One of the major issues in the future will be the distribution of resources. The human population is growing and population-rich countries are changing to a more Western lifestyle. This will cause further environmental degradation and the exploitation of resources. In the process of development, developing countries should be allowed to adapt to a sustainable development in similar ways that developed countries did. To minimise major negative impact on the environment, knowledge should be shared. One of the biggest resources of humanity for sustainable
development is knowledge. This knowledge is provided and expanded by universities. Students are taught the concept of sustainability, how systems function and interact, responsibility and foresight in consequences of action and introduction of changes into systems. In the field of research, new technology is developed to
improve energy consumption, recycling rates and waste reduction. The properties of materials are changed to meet new challenges like self-healing for longer lasting products, mechanical strength to reduce weight in transportation vehicles and substituting the dependency on fossil fuel by improving batteries, electro engines and biodegradable polymers from renewable resources. Also, ways are investigated to reduce carbon dioxide by capturing and storing it, to repair leaking waste landfills to preserve groundwater and soil and remove waste from water bodies. Research on communities and individual human behaviour shows acceptance of infrastructure and modernised housing, as even the best technology or concept is diminished in its functionality if it isn’t adapted to human behaviour. But universities are more than just educational and research institutions. For example, the University of Nottingham encourages the separation of waste, using public transportation or riding a bike. The project Student Switch Off shows how student can save energy, water, therefore money, and recycle by paying
Building designs are becoming ever more innovative and sustainable in nature
‘Businesses can approach universities to explore ideas and cooperate to create study subjects that are researched under practical conditions’
attention to minor details in routines. Further, the university encourages and invests in student ideas on sustainability. Exemplifying the importance of environmental sustainability, buildings are modernised to reduce energy and carbon emission and new buildings are showcasing the feasibility to build carbon neutral or energy plus research facilities. Businesses can approach universities to explore ideas
and cooperate to create study subjects that are researched under practical conditions. Increasing awareness of environmental degradation and the impulse to redeem ourselves continuously moves sustainable development forward. The pressure on businesses to integrate economic, environmental and socio-cultural sustainability will amplify, as business alliances will incorporate sustainable development, competitors pursue sustainable objectives, governmental regulations enforce and support sustainable developments and the consumers move to products that don’t damage the environment and are produced under fair conditions. This is a great opportunity for
business to demonstrate innovation and, by integrating sustainable concepts, financial benefits can be gained.
Sustainability is key to addressing a myriad different issues - from the environment to a growing population
50 business network March 2018
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