GUIDELINES OF
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
GUIDELINES OF
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Whatare the basic principles companies need to adopt in order tocreate sustainable businesses?
GUIDELINES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
1. INTEGRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC DECISIONS: requiresthat we ensure economic decisions adequately reflectenvironmental impacts including human health. Environmentalinitiatives shall adequately take into account economicconsequences.
2. STEWARDSHIP: requires that we manage the environment andeconomy for the benefits of present and future generations.
Stewardship requires the recognition that we are caretakers ofthe environment and economy for the benefit of present and futuregenerations of Manitobans. A balance must be struck betweentoday’s decisions and tomorrow’s impacts.
3. SHARED RESPONSIBILITY: requires that all Manitobansacknowledge responsibility for sustaining the environment andeconomy, with each being accountable for decisions and actions,in a spirit of partnership and open cooperation.
4. PREVENTION: requires that we anticipate, prevent or mitigatesignificant adverse environmental (including human health) andeconomic impacts of policy, programs and decisions.
5. CONSERVATION: requires that we maintain essential ecologicalprocesses, biological diversity and life-support systems of ourenvironment; harvest reusable resources on a sustained yieldbasis; and make wise and efficient use of our renewable andnon-renewable resources.
6. WASTE MINIMIZATION: requires that we endeavor to reduce,reuse, recycle and recover the products of our society.
7. ENHANCEMENT: requires that we enhance the long term productivecapability, quality and capacity of our natural ecosystems.
8. REHABILITATION AND RECLAMATION: requires that we endeavor torestore damaged or degraded environments to beneficial uses.Rehabilitation and reclamation require ameliorating damage causedin the past. Future policies, programs and developments shouldtake into consideration the need for rehabilitation andreclamation.
9. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION: requires that weresearch, develop, test and implement technologies essentialfurther environmental quality including human health and economicgrowth.
10. GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY: requires that we think globally whenwe act locally. Global responsibility requires that we recognizethere are no boundaries to our environment, and that there isecological interdependence among provinces and nations. There isa need to work
cooperatively within Canada, and internationally to acceleratethe merger of environment and economics in decision making and todevelop comprehensive and equitable solutions to problems.
Guidelines
1. EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES: we shall encourage and supportdevelopment and application of systems for proper resourcepricing, demand management, and resource allocation together withincentives and disincentives to encourage efficient use ofresources and full
environmental costing of decisions and developments.
2. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: we shall establish appropriate forumswhich encourage and provide opportunity for consultation andmeaningful participation in decision making processes by allManitobans. We shall endeavor to ensure due process, priornotification and appropriate and
timely redress for those affected by policies, programs,decisions and developments.
3. UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT: we shall be aware that we share acommon physical, social and economic environment in Manitoba.Understanding and respect for differing social and economicviews, values and traditions and aspirations is necessary forequitable management of
these common resources. Consideration must be given to theaspirations, needs and views of various regions and groups inManitoba.
4. ACCESS TO ADEQUATE INFORMATION: we shall encourage and supportthe improvement and refinement of our environmental and economicinformation base and promotion of the opportunity for equal andtimely access to information by all Manitobans.
5. INTEGRATED DECISION-MAKING AND PLANNING: we shall encourageand support decision making and planning processes that are open,cross-sectoral, incorporate time horizons relevant to long-termimplications and are efficient and timely.
6. SUBSTITUTION: we shall encourage and promote the developmentand use of substitutes for scarce resources where they are bothenvironmentally sound and economically viable.
Let's now look at the InternationalInstitute for Sustainable Developmentand their sustainable development principles for business.
1. Integrate environmental considerations into our businessplanning
and decision-making processes, including product research and
development, new manufacturing methods andacquisitions/divestitures;
2. Identify, assess and manage environmental risks associatedwith our
operations and products throughout their life cycle, to reduce or
eliminate the likelihood of adverse consequences;
3. Comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements,and to
the extent we determine it appropriate, adopt more stringent
standards for the protection of our employees and the communitiesin
which we operate;
4. Establish a formal Environmental Protection Program, and set
specific, measurable goals;
5. Establish assurance programs, including regular audits, toassess the
success of the Environmental Protection Program in meeting
regulatory requirements, program goals and good practices;
6. To the extent that proven technology will allow, eliminate orreduce
harmful discharges, hazardous materials and waste;
7. Make reduction, reuse and recycling the guiding principles and
means by which we achieve our goals;
8. Prepare and make public an annual report summarizing our
environmental activities;
9. Work as advocates with our suppliers, customers and business
partners to jointly achieve the highest possible environmental
standards;
10. Build relationships with other environmental stakeholdersincluding
governments, the scientific community, educational institutions,
public interest groups and the general public to promote the
development and communication of innovative solutions to industry
environmental problems;
11. Provide regular communications to and training for employeesto
heighten awareness of, and pride in, environmental issues.
Finally, let's look at Paul Hawken'sown set of basic principles for creating sustainable business:
1. Replace nationally andinternationally produced items with products created locally andregionally.
2. Take responsibility for theeffects they have on the natural world.
3. Do not require exotic sourcesof capital in order to develop and grow.
4. Engage in production processesthat are human, worthy, dignified, and intrinsically satisfying.
5. Create objects of durabilityand long-term utility whose ultimate use or disposition will notbe harmful to future generations.
6. Change consumers to customersthrough education.
Written by: Global Ecology Daily Assignment, University of Colorado at Boulder
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