In “Sustainability” We Trust?: The Need for a New Approach to Resource Preservation

Sustainability is a buzzword that has gained traction around the world. It is linked to, or synonymous with, environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. The advocacy for sustainability has led many individuals, corporations and governments to incorporate ESG principles into their operations and processes, and communicate to stakeholders how they are meeting sustainability expectations and its role in the value creation process in society. Despite these strides, a critical mind would ask some important philosophical questions: Does “society” need sustainability? The answer is yes. Is the sustainability agenda good for the world? The answer is yes. But is sustainability the only way to conserve environmental, social and governance resources to make it available for the present and future generations? The answer is, no? This article discusses sustainability and argues that sustainability is a way to achieve the goal of resource preservation and continuity for the present and future generations, but it is not the only way. It critique attempts to present sustainability as the only way to achieve the goal of resource preservation. While this study does not offer an alternative way to achieve the goal of resource preservation for the present and future generations, it call on scholars to explore alternative ways to achieve the goal of resource preservation for the present and future generations.