AQA · GCSE · Business

    Course version: 8132 · Version from Sept 2017

    Ethical and environmental considerations: Sustainability:

    Sustainability means operating so that resources used today do not prevent future generations from meeting their needs.

    Checked against the AQA 8132 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 10 of 13
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Sustainability means operating so that resources used today do not prevent future generations from meeting their needs. A sustainable business limits waste, uses renewable or recycled materials, cuts energy and water use, and designs products that last or can be repaired. For example, a furniture maker could source certified timber, reuse offcuts and offer a repair service. These choices can raise short-term costs but may lower long-run bills, meet customer expectations and protect reputation. Learners should explain what makes a practice sustainable, apply it to a business context and weigh the cost against the benefit before reaching a supported judgement.

    What earns the marks

    • Defines sustainability as meeting present needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
    • Gives examples of sustainable practice such as recycling, renewable energy, reduced packaging or durable products.
    • Explains how a named business could adopt a sustainable practice in its operations.
    • Analyses the trade-off between the cost of sustainable practice and benefits such as lower bills, reputation or customer loyalty.
    • Reaches a supported judgement on whether the sustainable practice is worthwhile.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Confusing sustainability with charity or ethical treatment of workers.

      Put it right by focusing on resource use and long-term availability.

    • Claiming sustainability always cuts costs immediately.

      Put it right by recognising that initial investment may be high before savings appear.

    • Describing a general green idea without applying it to the business in the case.

      Put it right by naming the product, process or material involved.

    Exam tips

    • Anchor the answer in the case study business rather than writing generally about the environment.
    • Develop each point with a because or therefore link to show the effect on the business.
    • Keep the final judgement brief and tie it to the evidence you have already given.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Ethical and environmental considerations: Sustainability: lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    What does sustainability mean for a business?

    Listen

    Sustainability means operating so that resources used today do not prevent future generations from meeting their needs. A sustainable business limits waste, uses renewable or recycled materials, cuts energy and water use, and designs products that last or can be repaired. For example, a furniture maker could source certified timber, reuse offcuts and offer a repair service. These choices can raise short-term costs but may lower long-run bills, meet customer expectations and protect reputation. Learners should explain what makes a practice sustainable, apply it to a business context and weigh the cost against the benefit before reaching a supported judgement. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Defines sustainability as meeting present needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs. Gives examples of sustainable practice such as recycling, renewable energy, reduced packaging or durable products. Explains how a named business could adopt a sustainable practice in its operations. Analyses the trade-off between the cost of sustainable practice and benefits such as lower bills, reputation or customer loyalty. A common slip: Confusing sustainability with charity or ethical treatment of workers. Instead, focusing on resource use and long-term availability. Exam tip: Anchor the answer in the case study business rather than writing generally about the environment.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. At the top, a node defines sustainability as meeting present needs without preventing future generations from meeting theirs. Four arrows lead from it to four practices: limit waste, use renewable or recycled materials, cut energy and water use, and design products that last or can be repaired. Three of these practices lead to furniture maker examples: limit waste leads to reusing offcuts, renewable or recycled materials leads to sourcing certified timber, and durable or repairable design leads to offering a repair service. All three examples lead to a node saying these raise short-term costs, which leads to a final node saying they may lower long-run bills, meet customer expectations and protect reputation.
    It shows the definition of sustainability, the sustainable practices a business can adopt, examples for a furniture maker, and the trade-off between short-term costs and long-run benefits.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Sustainability

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Sustainable operations and product design

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Cost versus long-term benefit

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Reputation and customer expectations

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Sustainability
    Operating so that resources used today do not prevent future generations from meeting their needs.
    Sustainable operations and product design
    Limiting waste, using renewable or recycled materials, cutting energy and water use, and designing products that last or can be repaired.
    Cost versus long-term benefit
    Choices that can raise short-term costs but may lower long-run bills, meet customer expectations and protect reputation.
    Reputation and customer expectations
    Meeting what customers expect of a business and protecting how it is regarded.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. At the top, a node defines sustainability as meeting present needs without preventing future generations from meeting theirs. Four arrows lead from it to four practices: limit waste, use renewable or recycled materials, cut energy and water use, and design products that last or can be repaired. Three of these practices lead to furniture maker examples: limit waste leads to reusing offcuts, renewable or recycled materials leads to sourcing certified timber, and durable or repairable design leads to offering a repair service. All three examples lead to a node saying these raise short-term costs, which leads to a final node saying they may lower long-run bills, meet customer expectations and protect reputation.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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