Sustainability: A definition
Sustainability: A definition
There are many different definitions of sustainability, but there are two that have been at the heart of our discussions as we developed Sobeys’ formal sustainability strategy:
- “Business and personal strategies and practices that promote the long-term well-being of the environment, society and the bottom line.” Food Marketing Institute
- “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Report), 1987
Both definitions involve adopting behaviours that respect the earth’s “carrying capacity”, a concept that recognizes the ecological fact that excessive consumption of resources or degradation of our environment will threaten the earth’s ability to support future generations. Typically, sustainability in the corporate world also encompasses the concept of a “triple bottom line” – reporting on a company’s social and environmental performance as well as its financial results.
At Sobeys, our sustainability strategy is primarily focused on our impact on the environment, an approach that complements our financial, community and social initiatives. That strategy goes well beyond merely complying with laws that govern our company to include many voluntary initiatives. It’s our commitment to continuous improvement as we develop corporate and individual behaviours that do not compromise the ability of future generations to prosper on the planet that we all share.
