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Conceptual Understanding: Designers utilise design approaches that support sustainable development across a variety of contexts. A holistic and systematic approach is needed at all stages of design development to satisfy all stakeholders. In order to develop sustainable products, designers must balance aesthetic, cost, social, cultural, energy, material, health and usability considerations.
Triple bottom line sustainability
Triple bottom line sustainability: environmental, economic and social.
Environmental Development
Looks at natural capital, a move away from the isolated elements; People, Planet and Profits. It also looks away from the traditional Linear life cycle and more towards the circular economies.
Innovation looks more to the function and less to the materials, away fro the product and more towards the service.
So as to explain the foci, environmental developers would look at reducing negative impact on the 3p's through an environmental lens, specific examples include:
- Sulfur dioxide concentration
- Nitrogen oxide concentration
- Pollutants
- Excessive nutrients
- Electrical consumption
- Fossil fuel consumption
- Solid + Hazardous waste management
- Changes in land use/land cover
Social development
is about improving the well-being of every individual in society so they can reach their full potential. The success of society is linked to the well-being of each and every citizen. Social development means investing in people.
So as to explain the foci, Social developers would look at reducing negative impact on the 3p's through an socio economical, specific examples may include:
- Unemployment rate
- Female labor force participation rate
- Median household income
- Relative poverty
- Percentage of population with a post-secondary qualification
- Average commute time
- Violent crimes per capita
- Health-adjusted life expectancy
Economic Development:
is the creation of wealth from which community benefits are realised. It is more than a jobs program, it's an investment in growing your economy and enhancing the prosperity and quality of life for all residents.
So as to explain the foci, Economic developers would look at reducing negative impact on the 3p's through economics, specific examples may include:
- personal income
- cost of unemployment
- job growth
- employment distribution by sector
- percentage of firms in each sector
- revenue of sector to GDP
Decoupling
Decoupling: disconnecting economic growth and environmental impact so that one no longer depends on the other
Decoupling refers to disconnecting two trends so that one no longer depends on the other. Through the act of decoupling (using resources more productively and redesigning production systems), it is technically possible to deliver the same or equivalent goods and services with lower environmental impact while maintaining social and equity benefits.
Resource decoupling means getting more efficiency from the resources we use, so that we can spread the use of our finite resources out over a longer time frame.
Impact decoupling means using processes that leave a smaller footprint on the ecosystem, so that our building and manufacturing do not harm the ecosystem. We need a healthy ecosystem for our own survival.
International and national laws
The use of international and national laws to promote sustainable development
Adopting a corporate strategy that has the support of shareholders/stakeholders can be difficult to achieve. International and national laws encourage companies to focus on aspects other than shareholder value and financial performance, which include transparency of corporate sustainability, transparent sustainability assurance and whether businesses, public services, national resources and the economy have the means to continue in the years ahead at a micro (small/ local) and macro (big/ global) level
You won't need to know the details of each agreement - but know that international laws and agreements can influence how large corporations and governments look at sustainability
1992: Rio Earth Summit focused on economic development and halting the destruction of natural resources and pollution of the planet.
1997: Kyoto Protocol introduced legally binding limitations on the amount of emissions and greenhouse gases that developed countries could produce. The overall goal of the Kyoto Protocol was to reduce pollution and Emissions while increasing the adoption of renewable energy and promoting energy efficiency.
2009: Copenhagen Accord stated that global warming should be limited to below 2 degrees C.
2015: Paris Climate Change Conference further emphasize the need for reducing greenhouse gas emissions emissions.
Sustainability reporting
Sustainability reporting: A company report that focuses on four aspects of performance: Economic; Environmental; Social; and Governance.
A sustainability report is a company report that focuses on four aspects of performance.
• Economic
• Environmental
• Social
• Governance
The reliability and acceptance of sustainability reporting requires accurate data gathering to be maintained over a lengthy period of time.
A growing number of companies see sustainability reporting as a means to drive greater innovation through their businesses and products to create a competitive advantage in the market. Better reputation can also help consumer brand loyalty.
Product stewardship
Product stewardship: Everyone involved in making, selling, buying or handling electronic equipment takes responsibility for minimising environmental impact of the equipment at all stages in the life cycle, including end of life management (disposal).
Designers may need to respond to consumer pressure as more consumers become aware of resource issues and product labelling. Product stewardship requires all stakeholders involved in making, buying, selling or handling equipment to take responsibility for minimising environmental, health and safety impact at all stages of the life cycle.
Organic Foods
Locally grown, sustainably farmed and processed food choices are good for the environment and for people’s health.
Genetically Modified Food
Biotechnology offers unique potential for crop improvement. Delivering its benefits, however, requires a sustained commitment to stewardship.
Forests
The Forest Stewardship Council, or FSC, is an international non-profit forest certification and labelling system that was established to offer a single, easily recognisable label for wood and forest products that consumers can trust.
Bio-plastics
An organic material in which carbon is derived from a renewable resource via biological processes.Products on the market are made from a variety of natural feedstocks including corn, potatoes, rice, tapioca, palm fiber, wood cellulose, and wheat fiber. It produces cups, bottles, cutlery, plates, bags, bedding, furnishings, carpets, film, textiles and packaging materials.
Stewardship encourages environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable production of bioplastic feedstocks.
Green/Organic Cotton
Environmental stewardship is increasingly in the public eye and the use of organic cotton has become very trendy among consumers. Manufacturers and retailers are responding to their demand for more "natural" products.
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