Sustainability is about conserving natural resources for future generations, ensuring that people have enough food and water to survive, and supporting the well-being of society. Companies pursuing sustainability typically focus on reducing their carbon footprint, creating a diverse and equitable workforce, and implementing policies that address other social issues. They also seek to reduce their environmental impact by using recycled products and by avoiding waste production.

Many companies have incorporated sustainability into their business plans and goals, as customers are increasingly concerned about these issues. Having a sustainable business model can also help businesses gain access to new markets and position themselves as leaders in their industry.

Ultimately, the goal of sustainability is to balance environmental, social, and economic factors, often referred to as “people, planet, profits.” For example, a company may aim to reduce its use of fossil fuels (environmental), provide a fair wage to employees (social), and make enough money to continue operations into the future (economic).

The concept of sustainability was first conceived by a man named Malthus in the 18th century. He predicted that the increasing population would eventually outpace the planet’s ability to provide food and other resources, even with technological advances. The Brundtland Report from 1987 was the first time that sustainability was mentioned in a formal document.