Skip to main content

What is sustainability?

The term of

Sustainability

is on everyone’s lips and yet everyone seems to have a different idea of what it means. Therefore we would like to briefly explain the term and what is behind it. First of all, it should be said that sustainability is an incredibly complex process and covers many topics. A single word can look like a whole mountain in front of you. Don’t let that scare you away! Our task is to accompany you on your way to more sustainability in your company. All you need is some time and curiosity.


A mountain of work.

But doable.

The resources of this world are limited, but nevertheless they will soon be used up if we do not change the way we deal with them. Sustainability therefore means using the resources available to us in such a way that they can regenerate and that we do not harm nature and ourselves in the process, but in the best case even benefit from them. However, sustainability is not exclusively concerned with the environment. This is only one of three aspects known as the pillars of sustainability. For a sustainable company, social and economic aspects are equally important and must be balanced. This is how a company can exist successfully for a long time and bring the greatest benefit to people and nature.

The economic aspect is primarily aimed at ensuring that economic activity is not only constructed for the short term, but must exhibit permanence and stability. Not quick profits are in the foreground, but the creation of a solid basis, which also secures future earnings, which arise from the use of existing resources.

Menschen bauen per Hand eine Straße
Kleine Pflanzen

The ecological aspect focuses on a far-sighted and considerate use of natural resources. In order to secure the ecological conditions of human survival for present and future generations, the limited natural resources available are to be used appropriately in the sense of an ecologically sustainable way of living and working.

The social dimension is concerned with ensuring a decent life, fair distribution and equal opportunities. In business, it includes working conditions and health promotion for employees, but also aspects of human rights along the entire value chain.

Händchen halten
Drei Säulen der Nachhaltigkeit

Der ökonomische Aspekt zielt in erster Linie darauf ab, dass wirtschaftliches Handeln nicht nur kurzfristig konstruiert werden soll, sondern Beständigkeit und Stabilität aufweisen muss. Nicht schnelle Gewinne stehen im Vordergrund, sondern die Schaffung einer soliden Basis, die auch zukünftige Erträge sichert, welche aus der Nutzung vorhandener Ressourcen erwachsen.

Menschen bauen per Hand eine Straße

Der ökologische Aspekt setzt auf einen weitsichtigen und rücksichtsvollen Umgang mit natürlichen Ressourcen. Um für jetzige und zukünftige Generationen die ökologischen Bedingungen des menschlichen Überlebens zu sichern, soll im Sinne einer ökologisch nachhaltigen Lebens- und Arbeitsweise mit den begrenzt vorhandenen natürlichen Ressourcen entsprechend gehaushaltet werden.

Die soziale Dimension befasst sich mit der Sicherstellung eines menschenwürdigen Lebens, eine gerechte Verteilung und mit der Chancengleichheit. In der Wirtschaft umfasst sie die Arbeitsbedingungen und Gesundheitsförderung der Mitarbeiter, aber auch die Aspekte der Menschenrechte entlang der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette.

Why is sustainability important?

Sustainability should enable lasting economic prosperity, ensure social balance and preserve the natural foundations of life for future generations. Sustainable development means that the needs of today’s generation are met without risking those of future generations. Their aim is to bring the environment, society and economy into balance.

What does the carbon footprint
have to do with it?

Every person, and therefore every company, leaves a carbon footprint. This is an extremely complex sustainability indicator that shows how much land a person needs to cover their demand for resources. In the calculation, our actual consumption of resources and land is set in relation to the biocapacity of the earth. Production, energy generation, livestock, the manufacture of consumer goods, and transportation and travel all consume resources. Creating a carbon footprint provides an opportunity to identify potential savings and act accordingly. For climate neutrality, unavoidable emissions can be offset via climate protection projects.