What?

What is sustainable development, sustainability and a sustainable enterprise?

Sustainable development is defined as the ".. development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (United Nations, 1987, p. 37)
Still this is the most used definition.

This section gives you information about what sustainable development and sustainable entrepreneurship is.

  • Definitions and introduction to sustainable development
  • UN Sustainable Development goals (SDGs)
  • Perceptions of sustainable development

All resources below are potentially relevant for the questions. To find particular resources, a tips is to use the search function with some of the keywords in the question.

 Which elements would you say characterize the UN definition of sustainable development from the 1987 report “Our common future”? What are the implications of these elements for our understanding of sustainable business development? (Tips: Compare the definition in the UN report to the SDGs and tools related to sustainable business models)

 What does sustainable entrepreneurship mean for single enterprises? Use your own firm or pick another concrete example as basis for reflection. (Tips: Use the RUG report on sustainable entrepreneurship as a starting point.) 

 The UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) set the framework for preferred global development. How are the goals 14 “life below water” and 15 “life on land” relevant for tourism in general? And for your/a firm in particular? (Tips: Open the resources on Sustainable Development goals (SDGs))

 The UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) set the framework for preferred global development. How are the goals 1 “no poverty” and 8 “decent work and economic growth” relevant for tourism in general and for your/a firm in particular? (Tips: Open the resources on Sustainable Development goals (SDGs))

 How is sustainability perceived where you live – do you think? (Tips: Use the article “Sustainable development – what is it?” as a starting point.
Kasper Tyberg
Scientific articles,What
Social priorities in unsustainable development
This PhD thesis proposes that the basis of unsustainable development may lie in humans’ predominantly social priorities and preferences related to sustainable development.
  • English
  • Hard
  • 10 hours
  • Summary: 10 min
Tandrup Naturfilm
Scientific articles,What
A critical perspective on sustainability
The concept of sustainable development in tourism has entered in business strategies, policy development and academic research. But what does it precisely entail? This article critically explores the different perspectives.
  • English
  • Medium
  • 1 h
  • Summary: 5 min
Hyke Studio
Report,What
“Our common future”
The UN report “Our Common Future,” also called the Brundtland report, put sustainable development on the political agenda and still provides the most used definition of the term.
  • English
  • Hard
  • 5 h
  • Summary: 30 min

No more pages to load