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A systems approach to sustainability and sustainable development

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  • Gallopín, Gilberto C.

Abstract

The concepts of sustainability and sustainable development are analyzed from a systems perspective. In the most general terms, sustainability of any system can be represented by a non-decreasing valuation function of the outputs of interest of the system considered. Different perspectives on the system of reference are discussed, from the extreme anthropocentric to the extreme bio- or ecocentric positions, and related to the criteria (based on the assumed substitutability between natural and manufactured capital); of very strong, strong, weak, and very weak sustainability. A set of underlying determinants of sustainability is proposed and discussed, including availability of resources, adaptability/flexibility, homeostasis, capacity of response, self-reliance, and empowerment. The concept of sustainable development is discussed and alternative theoretical perspectives that have been used in the literature are presented. The relationship between sustainability, development, nondevelopment, and maldevelopment; and material and non-material economic growth is mapped as a Venn diagram; alternative trajectories towards sustainable development for rich and poor countries are identified. Five alternative paradigms/strategies for sustainable development are summarized, showing the complexity of the process of choosing the right actions to move towards sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Gallopín, Gilberto C., 2003. "A systems approach to sustainability and sustainable development," Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo 5759, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    • Handle: RePEc:ecr:col039:5759
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    1. Mark Swilling, 2010. "Sustainability, poverty and municipal services: the case of Cape Town, South Africa," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(4), pages 194-201.
    2. Don Clifton, 2012. "Sustainable Business: Are We Heading in the Right Direction?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-18, April.
    3. Aldo Daniel Jiménez-Ortega & Alonso Aguilar Ibarra & J. Mauricio Galeana-Pizaña & Juan Manuel Núñez, 2022. "Changes over Time Matter: A Cycle of Participatory Sustainability Assessment of Organic Coffee in Chiapas, Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-20, February.
    4. Phillips, Jason & Whiting, Kai, 2016. "A geocybernetic analysis of the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 248-265.
    5. Karim Naderi Mahdei & Mehrdad Pouya & Fatemeh Taheri & Hossein Azadi & Steven Van Passel, 2015. "Sustainability Indicators of Iran’s Developmental Plans: Application of the Sustainability Compass Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-14, November.
    6. Sarah Birrell Ivory & Simon Bentley Brooks, 2018. "Managing Corporate Sustainability with a Paradoxical Lens: Lessons from Strategic Agility," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 148(2), pages 347-361, March.
    7. Diana-Maria Drigă, 2016. "Sufficient predicates of sustainability," Manager Journal, Faculty of Business and Administration, University of Bucharest, vol. 24(1), pages 231-236, December.

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