{"id":23015,"date":"2018-01-24T11:35:24","date_gmt":"2018-01-24T11:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cebds.org\/noticia\/o-que-e-desenvolvimento-sustentavel\/"},"modified":"2023-06-23T15:02:11","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T15:02:11","slug":"o-que-e-desenvolvimento-sustentavel","status":"publish","type":"noticia","link":"https:\/\/cebds.org\/en\/noticia\/o-que-e-desenvolvimento-sustentavel\/","title":{"rendered":"What is sustainable development?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over time, the concept of sustainability ended up being associated in a limited way by the general public with \u201cecological actions\u201d or \u201cless polluting\u201d. The good news is that brands that claim to be sustainable are already seen more positively by consumers, even if they don't understand exactly what that means. The bad news is that the limitation of the concept in the collective imagination negatively interferes with the understanding of what \u201csustainable development\u201d is.<\/span><\/h2>\n

It is important to bear in mind that the essence of the definition of sustainable is to perpetuate the planet, being directly associated with words such as legacy, continuity, balance. The permanence of the world as we know it depends on how we manage to manage our impacts. Resources are finite and we are all responsible for their preservation.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, it can be difficult to understand what actions are being taken in practice that can guarantee this continuity. To clarify this point, we developed this article, with the objective of presenting the definition of sustainable development, what movements companies are carrying out and the role of CEBDS (Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development) in this context. Check out!<\/span><\/p>\n

What is sustainable development?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Sustainable development is the one <\/span>able to meet the needs of the present generation without jeopardizing the ability to meet the needs of future generations<\/b>. Therefore, as already mentioned in this article, the definition is linked to the terms \u201clegacy\u201d and \u201ccontinuity\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Developing sustainably, whether in a small sphere (in the context of a company, for example) or in a large sphere (in the context of a country), presupposes enabling people, now and in the future, to reach a satisfactory level of socioeconomic development and cultural, making reasonable use of natural resources so as not to deplete them for future generations.<\/span><\/p>\n

To achieve such results, planning is necessary, as well as the understanding that resources are finite. Therefore, we cannot confuse sustainable development with economic growth, since the latter usually depends on the growing consumption of energy and natural resources. The big difference of this thought is in promoting the <\/span>balance between the objectives of economic development, social development and environmental conservation<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What movements are being made in favor of sustainable development?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The concern of the international community with the limits of the development of the planet is a reality: they are being carried out from great actions as the <\/span>Paris Agreement<\/b><\/a> and the <\/span>ODS<\/b> (Sustainable Development Goals)<\/span><\/a>, to everyday actions by companies. Understand better:<\/span><\/p>\n

About the Paris Agreement<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Paris Agreement, signed at the <\/span>COP 21<\/span><\/a> (Conference of the Parties, promoted by the UN), came into effect from <\/span>November 4, 2016<\/span><\/a> and brings a commitment and action plan to be developed by nations to combat climate change. <\/span><\/p>\n

What are SDGs?<\/b><\/h3>\n

SDG is the acronym for Sustainable Development Goals and is part of the document \u201c<\/span>Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development<\/span><\/a>\u201d published by the UN. The document comprises, among other items, 17 SDGs aimed at improving people's quality of life, preserving the ecosystem and ensuring economic prosperity. For more information, check out <\/span>This article<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main movements of companies in relation to sustainable development<\/b><\/h3>\n

Despite the awareness that changes are not optional, but essential, there is still a need for greater adaptation in the business sector. Adhering to sustainable development goes far beyond being good for the planet: changing attitudes guarantees the <\/span>business continuity<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>research carried out in Brazil<\/span><\/a>, of the 100 business leaders of the largest corporate groups present in different sectors, 99% believe that sustainability is important or very important for business and that companies play an essential role in making the change of model viable. The research reinforces the thesis that the great economic, environmental and social challenges can and should be transformed into opportunities. <\/span><\/p>\n

Several companies are already working with the Circular Economy model<\/b><\/h3>\n

Companies face a growing challenge to expand and create value in the midst of a scenario of instability and scarcity in the supply of resources, with rising costs and uncertainty in business.<\/span><\/p>\n

The key to managing this challenge is the <\/span>Circular Economy<\/b>, an alternative model that dissociates growth from the use of scarce resources, as it enables economic development within the limits of natural resources and promotes the opportunity for companies to innovate.<\/span><\/p>\n

The concept consists of a continuous positive development cycle that preserves and optimizes natural capital, resource production and minimizes systemic risks, managing finite stocks and renewable flows.<\/span><\/p>\n

More practically, among the Circular Economy business models is the <\/span>product lifecycle extension<\/b>, which aims to extend the useful life cycle of goods and their components through repair, <\/span>upgrade <\/span><\/i>and resale. To better elucidate the concept and other business models proposed by the circular economy, simply access <\/span>this document<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Natural Capital: a way to measure how much each action against nature and for business costs<\/b><\/h3>\n

Currently, we can count on many actions and tools for the implementation of successful sustainability strategies in companies. An example of this is the valuation of natural capital, which gives the dimension of how much each action against nature and for business costs. To the <\/span>financial institutions began, in several situations, to incorporate this concept when analyzing projects seeking financing<\/span><\/a>, as they understood the repercussions of the risks associated with the intensive use of the planet's natural resources and their eventual impacts on the activity\/productivity of corporations.<\/span><\/p>\n

in this brief <\/span>video<\/span><\/a>, with subtitles in Portuguese, the <\/span>World Business Council for Sustainable Development<\/span><\/i> (WBCSD) further explains the importance of measuring and valuing natural capital for companies. <\/span><\/p>\n

The sustainable lifestyle and the Brazilian<\/b><\/h2>\n

According to the study: \u201cSustainable lifestyle in the Brazilian context\u201d, carried out by CEBDS, in partnership with <\/span>HAVAS<\/span><\/a>, Brazilians seem to be aware of the risks of excessive consumption:<\/span><\/h3>\n