Chapter 2 - Sustainability, sustainable development, and business sustainability

Abstract

This chapter delves into the concepts of sustainable development and sustainability starting from the reasons for the need for such a development paradigm and focusing on its origins and evolution. The concept is then applied to the global public agenda introducing the sustainable development goals. Similarly, sustainability in the business sector is introduced. The paramount role of companies in global sustainability is described as well as the several sustainability interpretations adopted by companies and their relative discussion.