What is sustainability?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, sustainability is “the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level”—in other words, the capacity to continue over time without causing harm. It also refers to the quality of creating little or no damage to the environment, allowing life and resources to flourish for generations to come.

For me, sustainability is much more than a definition. It is a guiding principle: meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

This vision rests on three interconnected pillars:

1. EnvironmentalProtecting and preserving the natural world—our forests, waters, soils, and air—so that they remain abundant and healthy for those who come after us.

   
   

2. SocialPlacing people at the center, ensuring equity, human rights, dignity, and opportunities for all communities.

   
   

3. EconomicBuilding strong, resilient economies that generate prosperity today while safeguarding the resources and systems needed for tomorrow.

Why it matters?

• For future generations: Sustainability is about leaving behind a planet and communities that can thrive long into the future.

  
  

• For our shared humanity: It acknowledges the profound interconnectedness of people, planet, and prosperity.

  
  

• For our resources: It means using what we have—whether forests, water, or clean air—wisely, at a pace that allows nature to renew itself.

Sustainability, then, is not a trend or a slogan. It is a commitment, a responsibility, and a promise we make to each other and to the generations yet to come.