The practice of using natural resources in a way that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The term emerged from the 1987 Brundtland Commission report 'Our Common Future,' which popularized 'sustainable development.' 'Sustainability' derives from Latin 'sustinere' (to hold up), while 'environmental' comes from French 'environner' (to surround), reflecting our relationship with the natural world that surrounds us.
This phrase encapsulates one of humanity's greatest challenges and has spawned an entire vocabulary of business concepts like 'circular economy' and 'carbon neutrality.' Fascinatingly, companies with strong environmental sustainability practices outperform their peers by 2.3% annually in stock returns, proving that green practices can mean more green in profits.
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