Sustainability Issues and Economic Models
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Questions and Answers

What makes sustainability a 'Wicked' Problem?

  • It requires immediate financial investment.
  • It can be solved with a simple solution.
  • It demands action from various stakeholders. (correct)
  • Its benefits are easily measurable.

    • What is the main focus of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

  • Maximizing profits at all costs.
  • Prioritizing external stakeholders over internal ones.
  • Limiting company actions to legal requirements.
  • Balancing stakeholder needs and enhancing social welfare. (correct)

    • According to Friedman’s Doctrine, which statement aligns with his view?

  • Profit maximization is the sole responsibility of businesses. (correct)
  • Businesses should prioritize social values over profits.
  • Businesses must consider social responsibility as their primary goal.
  • Socially responsible businesses perform better in the market.

    • What are 'donut economics' primarily concerned with?

    <p>Operating within planetary boundaries.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a criticism of Corporate Social Responsibility?

    <p>It can serve as a distraction from profit maximization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must the consumer society do to ensure the survival of life-supporting ecosystems?

    <p>Dramatically curtail resource use and focus on non-material avenues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Alan During, fulfillment can be sought through which of the following avenues?

    <p>Leisure and human relationships</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements best reflects the views expressed regarding resource usage?

    <p>High quality, low input durable goods are essential</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of the consumer society is highlighted as needing significant change?

    <p>The reduction of resource consumption</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of environmental sustainability, what shift is suggested for consumer habits?

    <p>To prioritize leisure and relationships over material possessions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary goal of curtailing resource usage in consumer society?

    <p>To ensure the survival of ecosystems for future generations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The recommendation to shift to durable goods is aimed at achieving what outcome?

    <p>Reduction in resource depletion and waste</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following illustrates a misconception about resource usage in sustainability?

    <p>Reducing resource consumption leads to economic decline</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is required to keep global warming between 1.5°C and 2°C over the next 10-15 years?

    <p>Rapid and deep emissions reductions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the concept of the Quadruple Bottom Line include?

    <p>Political, social, cultural, and environmental concerns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How was sustainability originally perceived?

    <p>A wholly environmental issue</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a key criticism of GDP as a measure of economic success?

    <p>It disregards the quality and consequences of growth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the Brundtland Report, what is sustainability about?

    <p>Ensuring future generations can also meet their needs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Meuer et al. 2019 identify regarding corporate sustainability?

    <p>33 unique definitions of corporate sustainability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has sustainability expanded to encompass today?

    <p>Social, political, cultural, and environmental issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What assumption is often made about nature in the context of management and organizations?

    <p>It is seen as an externality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the actual percentage increase in emissions mentioned in the claim?

    <p>3.5%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the practice of making an organization seem environmentally friendly while maintaining harmful practices?

    <p>Greenwashing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT considered a principle of weak sustainability?

    <p>Polluter Pays Principle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two core principles emphasized in the pursuit of sustainability?

    <p>Avoiding planetary degradation and preventing human deprivation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of the Precautionary Principle?

    <p>Preventing environmental problems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of doughnut economics?

    <p>To balance human needs within ecological boundaries</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Rebound Effect imply regarding energy efficiency improvements?

    <p>Increased energy consumption despite efficiency gains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which city has trialed the doughnut economics model?

    <p>Amsterdam</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about the Coca Cola example reflects weak sustainability practices?

    <p>They continue single-use products.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, what percentage of businesses were potentially engaging in greenwashing?

    <p>57%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of sustainability, weak sustainability views nature as:

    <p>A resource that can be substituted</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement aligns with the beliefs of those supporting strong sustainability?

    <p>Environmental constraints must be respected and prioritised</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of worldview is characteristic of weak sustainability?

    <p>Anthropocentric</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of weak sustainability?

    <p>Voluntary targets and self-regulation by companies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Sustainability Principle emphasize?

    <p>Systems in equilibrium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the concept of strong sustainability?

    <p>The approach challenges existing structures and values relating to nature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which approach is commonly associated with precaution and ecological boundaries?

    <p>Strong sustainability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the ecological ceiling in sustainability characterized?

    <p>A threshold that, when exceeded, leads to planetary degradation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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

    • 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.
    • 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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    Lecture 5 - CSR & The Environment (2) - The University of Western Australia PDF

    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.

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