Rise and Fall of the Concept Sustainability by Károly Kiss

Semantics, misuse and abuse „Sustainable ” today: a synonyme for „positive ” –sustainable state budget –exchange rate –interest rate –exports –sustainable society –social sustainability –sustainable health and pension policies, etc. Sustainable growth: the oxymoron of economics

The critique of the Brundtland definition the intergenerational criterium is all right, but needs cannot be satisfied technological development creates new demands the definition is not scientific but political and of marketing character

The origins of the “three legs” approach Rio and Johannesburg –interpretation for poor and rich countries integrating ecological, economic and social components ≠ ecological + economic + social sustainability, separately NO TRADE OFF! among them

Economic and social sustainability alone – has it any meaning? The “sustainable economy”?? –dynamic? –balanced? –competitve? The “sustainable society”?? –with strong social cohesion? –with low income differences? –observing the rights of minorities?

Economic and social sustainability – has it any meaning in the context of ecological sustainability? The “sustainable economy”?? –dynamic? –balanced? –competitve? –No: Steady-State (H. Daly) The “sustainable society”?? –with strong social cohesion? –with low income differences? –observing the rights of minorities? –No: ecologically not relevant

Referring to the environment: Hear and read: SUSTAINABLE Understand: ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY

Referring to the economy: Hear and read: SUSTAINABLE Understand: good stable dynamic competitive

Referring to the society: Hear and read: SUSTAINABLE Understand: just cohesive equal rights equal chances no discrimination

Is sustainability negotiable? economic and social indicators: are negotiable –wages, income differences, inflation, etc. natural laws: are not –environmental load, gravity, thermodynamics, etc. as a result: NO TRADE OFF!

The real function and consequence of the inflation of the concept Pretending that we are heading for the good direction Decreasing cautiousness

Levels of sustainability Global sustainability –the biosphere is one interconnected, self-regulating organization The national level –lacking global responsibility The industrial level –only in the sense of alternatives –marketing purposes –not scientifically based Corporate sustainability: –has no sense

Corporate sustainability – a second best solution CSR in the USA –from the beginning; charity –Rappaport and the shareholder value –reaction: CSR renewed + Corporate Sustainability + Stakeholder Management CSR in Europe: –since the Chicago school: demolition of welfare state –reaction: CSR –Sustainable Development on national level → CSR on micro level –CSR + Corporate Sustainability Second best solution

The first best solution first best solution: ECOLOGICALLY AND SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE STATE environment protection: through strict government regulation employees rights: trade union and corporate solutions public goods should be created by the state: –social cohesion –regional and local development –equity issues

Summary „Sustainability ” should be maintained for ECOLOGICAL sustainability Economic and social sustainability: has no sense Sustainability should be interpreted on global and national levels CSR: second best solution First best: ECOLOGICALLY AND SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE STATE