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Questions and Answers
What makes sustainability a 'Wicked' Problem?
What is the main focus of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?
According to Friedman’s Doctrine, which statement aligns with his view?
What are 'donut economics' primarily concerned with?
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Which of the following describes a criticism of Corporate Social Responsibility?
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What must the consumer society do to ensure the survival of life-supporting ecosystems?
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According to Alan During, fulfillment can be sought through which of the following avenues?
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Which of the following statements best reflects the views expressed regarding resource usage?
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What aspect of the consumer society is highlighted as needing significant change?
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In the context of environmental sustainability, what shift is suggested for consumer habits?
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What is a primary goal of curtailing resource usage in consumer society?
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The recommendation to shift to durable goods is aimed at achieving what outcome?
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Which of the following illustrates a misconception about resource usage in sustainability?
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What is required to keep global warming between 1.5°C and 2°C over the next 10-15 years?
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What does the concept of the Quadruple Bottom Line include?
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How was sustainability originally perceived?
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What was a key criticism of GDP as a measure of economic success?
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According to the Brundtland Report, what is sustainability about?
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What did Meuer et al. 2019 identify regarding corporate sustainability?
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What has sustainability expanded to encompass today?
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What assumption is often made about nature in the context of management and organizations?
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What was the actual percentage increase in emissions mentioned in the claim?
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Which term describes the practice of making an organization seem environmentally friendly while maintaining harmful practices?
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Which of the following is NOT considered a principle of weak sustainability?
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What are the two core principles emphasized in the pursuit of sustainability?
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What is the primary focus of the Precautionary Principle?
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What is the primary goal of doughnut economics?
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What does the Rebound Effect imply regarding energy efficiency improvements?
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Which city has trialed the doughnut economics model?
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Which statement about the Coca Cola example reflects weak sustainability practices?
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According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, what percentage of businesses were potentially engaging in greenwashing?
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In the context of sustainability, weak sustainability views nature as:
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Which statement aligns with the beliefs of those supporting strong sustainability?
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Which type of worldview is characteristic of weak sustainability?
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What is an example of weak sustainability?
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What does the Sustainability Principle emphasize?
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Which of the following best describes the concept of strong sustainability?
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Which approach is commonly associated with precaution and ecological boundaries?
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How is the ecological ceiling in sustainability characterized?
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Study Notes
Sustainability
- The modern definition of sustainability is that humans should utilize resources to fulfill current needs, without hindering future generations from meeting their own needs.
- The "Brundtland Report" (1987) introduced this wider definition.
Sustainability Issues
- Sustainability encompasses political, social, cultural, environmental, and economic concerns
- The "Quadruple Bottom Line" is a framework for measuring a company's social and environmental performance in relation to ethical and sustainable business practices.
- There are 33 unique definitions of "corporate sustainability," as identified by Meuer et. al. in 2019.
Economic Models
- The traditional model of economics is purely based on growth, without considering ecological boundaries.
- GDP is a flawed measure of success, as it does not factor in quality or consequence of quantity.
- "Donut Economics" proposes a "sweet spot" where human needs are met within ecological boundaries.
- The city of Amsterdam is trialing a donut economics model.
Sustainability Strategies
- Companies have started to embrace "Corporate Social Responsibility" (CSR) in an attempt to balance stakeholder needs.
- The "Friedman Doctrine" (1970) argues that CSR is socialist and hypocritical, as the sole responsibility of a company is to maximize profit.
- "Planetary Boundaries" (2022) is a framework that sets ecological limits to avoid environmental catastrophe and ensure human well-being.
- The "Sustainable Development Goals" (SDGs) outline 12 social priorities for a sustainable and prosperous future.
Sustainability Principles
- Weak sustainability: The assumption is that natural capital (natural resources) can be substituted by human-made capital.
- Strong sustainability: The assumption is that natural capital is irreplaceable and should be preserved.
Examples of sustainability models
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Weak Sustainability
- Companies make voluntary commitments like setting targets or pledges without actionable enforcement.
- Example: Woodside claims to have reduced emissions by 11%, but their claims are misleading because they are based on using carbon offsets.
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Greenwashing is the practice of making a company's practices appear environmentally friendly when they are not.
- Example: Coca Cola's paper and plant bottles perpetuate single-use culture and promote false solutions to the problem.
- The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found that 57% of Australian businesses were potentially using greenwashing tactics.
Jevons Paradox (Rebound Effect)
- The phenomenon where increased efficiency leads to increased consumption, negating the benefits of efficiency gains.
- For example, technological advances in fuel efficiency do not always result in energy savings, because fuel consumption often increases as a result of decreased costs.
Sustainability Principles
- Precautionary principle - Prevention is better than remediation when dealing with potential environmental problems.
- Polluter pays principle - Those who pollute should bear the financial costs of their pollution.
- Sustainability principle - Systems should be in equilibrium, meaning resource consumption and emissions should be within the Earth's carrying capacity.
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Description
This quiz explores the modern definition of sustainability and its implications across various sectors, including political, social, and economic dimensions. It also examines alternative economic models, like Donut Economics, that aim to balance human needs with ecological limits. Test your knowledge on these crucial topics and frameworks for a sustainable future.