Sustainability

2The Need, Role and Significance of Sustainability

Anita Talan¹, A.N. Pathak², and R.D. Tyagi¹

¹INRS Eau, Terre et Environnment, Québec, Canada

²Amity University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

2.1 Introduction

In 1980 the concepts of sustainable development and the three pillars of sustainability were defined to identify the level of sustainability to be achieved or already achieved. Sustainability is needed to overcome the challenges faced in development and growth, such as economic and financial crises, and helps us to define economic sustainability. The progress of society or communities and even the growth of an individual can be defined on the basis of sustainable development. Initially, the concepts of various domains of sustainability were mostly qualitative notions, but over time there has been an evolution. Hence, precise specifications need to be defined in quantitative terms for attaining sustainability. In addition, a wide range of indicators is required to understand the need, role and significance of sustainability.

This chapter more precisely defines the different approaches to attaining sustainability and its need and significance by considering the three pillars of sustainability. To achieve sustainability, it is necessary to focus on different aspects of the goals of sustainability, which are discussed in depth in later sections. The chapter also discusses methods to create and maintain development without causing any harm to the interdependent pillars of sustainability. ...