The four pillars of sustainability (2024)

Introducing the four pillars of sustainability; Human, Social, Economic and Environmental.

The term sustainability is broadly used to indicate programs, initiatives and actions aimed at the preservation of a particular resource. However, it actually refers to four distinct areas: human, social, economic and environmental – known as the four pillars of sustainability.

Human sustainability

Human sustainability aims to maintain and improve the human capital in society. Investments in the health and education systems, access to services, nutrition, knowledge and skills are all programs under the umbrella of human sustainability. Natural resources and spaces available are limited and there is a need to balance continual growth with improvements to health and achieving economic wellbeing for everyone. In the context of business, an organisation will view itself as a member of society and promote business values that respect human capital. Human sustainability focuses on the importance of anyone directly or indirectly involved in the making of products, or provision of services or broader stakeholders (the human capital of the organisation) (Benn et al., 2014). Communities around the globe may be positively or negatively affected by business activities, or impacted through methods used to source raw materials. Human sustainability encompasses the development of skills and human capacity to support the functions and sustainability of the organisation and to promote the wellbeing of communities and society.

Social sustainability

Want to keep learning?This content is taken from RMIT University online course, Business Futures: Sustainable Business Through Green HRView Course

Social sustainability aims to preserve social capital by investing and creating services that constitute the framework of our society. The concept accommodates a larger view of the world in relation to communities, cultures and globalisation. It means to preserve future generations and to acknowledge that what we do can have an impact on others and on the world. Social sustainability focuses on maintaining and improving social quality with concepts such as cohesion, reciprocity and honesty and the importance of relationships amongst people. It can be encouraged and supported by laws, information and shared ideas of equality and rights. Social sustainability incorporates the idea of sustainable development as defined by the United Nations sustainable development goals. The principle of sustainable development addresses social and economic improvement that protects the environment and supports equality, and therefore the economy and society and the ecological system are mutually dependent (Diesendorf, 2000).

Economic sustainability

Economic sustainability aims to maintain the capital intact. If social sustainability focuses on improving social equality, economic sustainability aims to improve the standard of living. In the context of business, it refers to the efficient use of assets to maintain company profitability over time. As stated by the UK Government (Annual Report 2000, January 2001):

“Maintaining high and stable levels of economic growth is one of the key objectives of sustainable development. Abandoning economic growth is not an option. But sustainable development is more than just economic growth. The quality of growth matters as well as the quantity.”

Critics of this model acknowledge that a great gap in modern accounting practices is not to include the cost of damage to the earth in market prices (Hawking, 2010). A more recent approach to economics acknowledges the limited incorporation of the ecological and social components in this model. New economics is inclusive of natural capital (ecological systems) and social capital (relationships amongst people) and challenges the mantra of capital that continual growth is good and bigger is better, if it risks causing harm to the ecological and human system (Benn et al., 2014).

Environmental sustainability

Environmental sustainability aims to improve human welfare through the protection of natural capital (e.g. land, air, water, minerals etc.). Initiatives and programs are defined environmentally sustainable when they ensure that the needs of the population are met without the risk of compromising the needs of future generations. Environmental sustainability, as described by Dunphy, Benveniste, Griffiths and Sutton (2000), places emphasis on how business can achieve positive economic outcomes without doing any harm, in the short- or long-term, to the environment. According to Dunphy et al. (2000) an environmentally sustainable business seeks to integrate all four sustainability pillars, and to reach this aim each one needs to be treated equally.

The principle of the four pillars of sustainability states that for complete sustainability problems to be solved in relation to all four pillars of sustainability and then need be maintained. Although in some cases these may overlap, it is important to identify the specific type of green business to focus on, as the four types present unique characteristics. Businesses need to make a strategic decision about it so as to effectively incorporate the chosen approach into their policies and procedures.

Reflection

Think about how business can incorporate all four pillars of sustainability into their core business activities.

© RMIT University 2017

Want to keep learning?This content is taken from RMIT University online courseBusiness Futures: Sustainable Business Through Green HRView Course
The four pillars of sustainability (2024)

FAQs

The four pillars of sustainability? ›

The term sustainability is used to broadly indicate initiatives and actions aimed at the preservation of a particular resources. However, it refers to four distinct areas: human, social, economic and environmental – known as the four pillars of sustainability.

What are the 4 P's of sustainability? ›

The 4P's: Purpose, Profit, People and Planet.

What are the 4 points of sustainability? ›

The four principles of sustainability - social, environmental, economic, and cultural sustainability - can be applied to our everyday lives in a variety of ways.

What are the 4 C's of sustainability? ›

Segera finds that balance between conservation, community, culture and commerce, and puts the environment at the heart of the development.

What are the key pillars of sustainability? ›

Sustainability's three main pillars represent environmental concerns, socially responsible practices, and economic cooperation. These three pillars are also informally referred to as people, planet, purpose, and profits. It's useful to understand the terms sometimes used in place of the three pillars.

What are the 4 R's of sustainability? ›

This 360-degree approach is based on what is popularly known as the four R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover.

What are the 4 S's of sustainability? ›

A commitment to incorporating safety, security, sustainability, and social responsibility (4S) is part of the fabric of BioMADE.

What are the 4 pillars of sustainability culture? ›

However, it actually refers to four distinct areas: human, social, economic and environmental – known as the four pillars of sustainability.

Why are the 4 pillars of sustainability important? ›

The concept of sustainability rests on four key pillars — economic, environmental, ecological and social components, and cultural. Together, these pillars promote resilient and future-focused business activities that benefit both companies and communities.

What are the four 4 examples of sustainable development? ›

Examples of Sustainable Development
  • Wind energy.
  • Solar energy.
  • Crop rotation.
  • Sustainable construction.
  • Efficient water fixtures.
  • Green space.
  • Sustainable forestry.

What are the four principles of a sustainability mindset? ›

There are also prompts, stories, and resources in each chapter. There are four large arenas that encompass the principles: ecological world view; systems of processing information; emotional intelligence; and spiritual intelligence.

What are the four 4Cs? ›

The 4 C's to 21st century skills are just what the title indicates. Students need these specific skills to fully participate in today's global community: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity. Students need to be able to share their thoughts, questions, ideas and solutions.

What are the four key drivers of sustainability? ›

The four key drivers of sustainable growth
  • Finance: Control costs and reinforce efficiency. ...
  • Governance: Create trust and promote positive financial outcomes. ...
  • People: Retain employees and develop high-quality teams. ...
  • Digital: Embrace technology and improve productivity. ...
  • Understand the wider market and recognize megatrends.
Apr 13, 2021

What are the four pillars of sustainability governance? ›

This short summary therefore attempts to provides an overview of the main four pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, economic, and cultural. These pillars serve as a framework for organizations and communities to develop sustainable practices and ensure long-term viability.

What are the 4 pillars of human development? ›

Equity, Productivity, empowerment, and sustainability are considered to be the four pillars of human development. Human Development can be described as a process of enlarging opportunities, improving their well-being, and livelihood.

What are the four dimensions of sustainable development? ›

ENVISIONING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

But in all contexts, there is a need for simultaneous progress along each of several different dimensions of sustainable development. This report identifies four critical, interacting dimensions: economic, human, environmental, and technological.

What are the P's of sustainability? ›

The 3Ps of sustainability are a well-known and accepted business concept. The Ps refer to People, Planet, and Profit, also often referred to as the triple bottom line. Sustainability has the role of protecting and maximising the benefit of the 3Ps.

What do the 4 P's refer to? ›

The four Ps of marketing is a marketing concept that summarizes the four key factors of any marketing strategy. The four Ps are: product, price, place, and promotion.

What are the 5 Ps of sustainability? ›

The “5 Ps” of the UN Sustainable Development Goals – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships – represent the foundation of Agenda 2030, an aspirational plan to build a more equal, more just, more sustainable and more prosperous world for future generations.

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