Sustainability examples and definitions GESTIÓN HOTELERA UTEC SEC 02 Ma Esther Cabrera

1. Sustainability – What Is It? Definition,
Principles And Examples

2. DEFINTIION
Sustainability means that natural ecosystems can continue to support life
and provide resources to meet the needs of the present and future
generations. Evidently, the hotel sector puts increased pressure on the
environment and is demanding on the natural resources.
Nonetheless, nowadays, because of the environmental and social problems
society is facing, sustainability is commonly used in a specific way.
Therefore, sustainability can be defined as the processes and actions
through which humankind avoids the depletion of natural resources to keep
an ecological balance so that the quality of life of society doesn’t decrease.

3. Sustainable Society
Sustainable Development
Social Equity
Economic
Efficiency
Environmental
Responsibility
•Living conditions
•Equal opportunity
•Social cohesion
•International solidarity
•Maintenance of
human capital.
•Economic growth
•Efficiency and
competitiveness
•Flexibility and stability
•Production /
consumption
•Employment
•International trade
•Consumption of
resources
•Materials and wastes
•Risks
•Rate of change
•Natural and cultural
landscape

4. Sustainable Development
• Conditions:
– Appropriate social, political, legal
and economic conditions.
• Outcomes
– Improvement of the physical and
human capital.
– Human capital:
• Improved health or knowledge.
• Improved opportunities for
people to use their acquired
capabilities.
• Improved work or leisure
conditions.
– Physical capital:
• Improved private infrastructures.
• Improved collective
infrastructures.
Development
-Health
-Education
-Quality of life
-Rights
-Equity
-Rule of law
Conditions
-Employment
-Surplus
Human Capital Physical capital
Outcomes

5. Sustainable Society
• Three “E”s
– Economics.
– Ecology / Environment.
– Equity (social).
• Population
– Lessen population growth and stabilize it (preferably).
– Stop subsidizing reproduction.
– Access to contraception and family planning (freedom of
choice).
– Basic material needs satisfied (social obligation?).
– Political and gender equity.
– Access to information and education.

6. Sustainable Society
• Ecology
– Restore the biological base (soils, forests, atmosphere
and hydrosphere).
– Agriculture supporting ecosystems (diversity and
organic recycling).
• Energy
– Minimize and abolish fossil fuels (market forces are
likely to do so).
– Shift to natural gas as an interim measure.
– Move to renewable energy sources (hydrogen, solar,
wind, geothermal, biomass and hydroelectric).

7. Sustainable Society
• Economy
– Promotion of efficiency and recycling.
– Source materials mainly recycled materials.
– Reduce wastes in production, packaging and distribution.
– Economy like an ecosystem.
– Dematerialization of the economy.
• Spatial forms
– Rational use of space (market forces).
– Dense and compact cities.
– Multifamily dwellings.
– Alternative transportation modes:
• Leaning on mass transit, cycling and walking.

8. Global Sustainability
Economic Development
•Sustain economic growth
•Maximize profit
•Expand markets
•Externalize costs
•Respect carrying capacity
•Conserve and recycle
resources
•Reduce waste
•Satisfy needs
•Increase self-reliance
Socialism Conservationism
Ecologism