What is Sustainability?
Five value compositions
JFS considers Sustainability as from
five basic compositions. We have studied several
definition of sustainability in the world including
the definition of Sustainable Development
made by the Brundtland Commission. After a comparative
review of them, JFS defined the five basic compositions
from our own point of view.
- Capacity and Resource
To live socially and economically satisfactory
lives within limited global natural resources
and carrying capacity, and consider a mind of
appreciation and MOTTAINAI (Waste Not,
Want Not)
- Fairness across Time
To receive the inheritance of previous generation
and pass it on to future generation correctly.
- Fairness across Space
To distribute wealth, goods and resources between
nations and regions in an equitable way, and
there is no exploitation from one to another
- Diversity
To respect the diversity of individuals, species,
culture, which is also of other organisms
- Human Will and Networking
Individual's will to build a better society,
networking through communication with others,
flexible and open mutual dialogues and social
participation
JFS defines Sustainability as follows:
Acts by humankind that respect the diversity
of all creatures, and result in the passing on
of life, nature, livelihoods and culture to future
generations within the carrying capacity of the
natural environment, and the establishment of
mutual connections with the purpose of building
better societies and seeking the greatest happiness
of the greatest number across both time and space.
Four Areas
To capture the context of Sustainability
more comprehensively, JFS adopted the followings
four areas, which is from a framework of Sustainability
Compass developed by Mr. Alan AtKisson,
an environmental consultant based in Sweden, with
referring to the concept of Triple bottom
line advocated by the Global Reporting Initiative
(GRI) and others.
- Nature
Natural, global and local environments including
the concepts of resource capacity and biodiversity.
A fundamental concept of sustainability.
- Economy
Something which enriches human life and makes
the life easier by providing goods and services.
An economic activity in general
- Society
Social activity, government, school, community,
etc. An aggregation of human life.
- Wellbeing
Individual's self-actualization, pursuit of
happiness, social participation, and improvement
of quality-of-life.
Overall Framework of JFSs
vision for a Sustainable Japan
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