What is the difference between sustainability and sustainable development?

Sustainability is the goal of maintaining ecological balance and resource availability for future generations. Sustainable development is the process or pathway to achieve that goal, integrating economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. The Brundtland Report defines sustainable development as 'development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'.

How do you calculate ecological footprint?

Ecological footprint measures the amount of biologically productive land and water area required to produce the resources a population consumes and to absorb its waste, given current technology. It is expressed in global hectares per person. The calculation includes factors like carbon emissions, food consumption, and land use. Comparing footprint to biocapacity (the Earth's productive area) shows whether we are living within planetary limits.

What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

The SDGs are 17 global goals adopted by the UN in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They cover issues like poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. Each goal has specific targets and indicators. For environmental science, key goals include Clean Water and Sanitation (Goal 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (Goal 7), Climate Action (Goal 13), Life Below Water (Goal 14), and Life on Land (Goal 15).

Why is the precautionary principle important in sustainability?

The precautionary principle states that if an action or policy has potential to cause harm to the environment or human health, precautionary measures should be taken even if cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. It shifts the burden of proof to those proposing the activity. This principle is vital for sustainability because it prevents irreversible damage, such as species extinction or ecosystem collapse, when scientific uncertainty exists.

Can economic growth be sustainable?

Yes, if it is decoupled from environmental degradation. Sustainable economic growth involves increasing GDP while reducing resource use and pollution through efficiency, innovation, and a shift to a circular economy. For example, investing in renewable energy and green technologies can create jobs and reduce carbon emissions. However, critics argue that infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible, so a steady-state economy or degrowth may be necessary for true sustainability.

What is the difference between weak and strong sustainability?

Weak sustainability assumes that natural capital (e.g., forests, minerals) can be substituted by human-made capital (e.g., technology, infrastructure) without compromising future well-being. Strong sustainability argues that natural capital is unique and cannot be replaced, so it must be preserved independently. For example, weak sustainability would allow cutting down a forest if the economic value is reinvested in other assets, while strong sustainability would prohibit deforestation because the ecosystem services are irreplaceable.

Sustainability

AQA-EDUCATION

A-Level

Major global environmental challenges include climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. International responses like the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity aim to coordinate action, but effectiveness varies due to differing national interests and enforcement issues.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Subtopics in this area

Global environmental issues

Principles of sustainability

Sustainable solutions

Topic Overview

Sustainability is a core concept in environmental science, focusing on meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. It integrates ecological, economic, and social dimensions, often referred to as the 'triple bottom line'. In the AQA A-Level specification, sustainability is explored through resource management, biodiversity conservation, and the impact of human activities on ecosystems. Understanding sustainability is crucial for addressing global challenges like climate change, deforestation, and pollution, and it underpins many environmental policies and practices.

This topic builds on earlier studies of ecosystems, nutrient cycles, and human impact on the environment. Students examine case studies such as sustainable forestry, fisheries management, and renewable energy transitions. The concept of 'sustainable development' is critically evaluated, considering trade-offs between economic growth and environmental protection. Mastery of sustainability enables students to analyse real-world issues, propose evidence-based solutions, and understand the role of international agreements like the Paris Accord and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sustainability is not just about conservation; it involves dynamic systems thinking. Students learn to assess carrying capacities, ecological footprints, and the precautionary principle. They explore how technology, legislation, and individual behaviour can promote sustainability. This topic equips students with the analytical tools to evaluate the long-term viability of human activities and to contribute to informed decision-making in environmental management.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→The 'triple bottom line' – balancing environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
→Carrying capacity and ecological footprint – measuring human demand on ecosystems.
→Renewable vs non-renewable resources – understanding sustainable yield and resource depletion.
→The precautionary principle – acting to prevent environmental harm even when scientific evidence is uncertain.
→Sustainable development goals (SDGs) – global targets for 2030 integrating environmental, social, and economic objectives.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Describe at least three major global environmental challenges.
Explain the causes and impacts of each challenge.
Evaluate the effectiveness of at least two international treaties or agreements.
Discuss barriers to effective international cooperation.
Suggest improvements for future international responses.
Award credit for accurately defining sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland definition).
Award credit for clearly distinguishing between the three pillars: environmental (natural resource preservation and ecosystem integrity), social (equity, justice, and community well-being), and economic (viable, long-term economic growth that does not undermine the other pillars).
Award credit for explaining that the ecological footprint measures the biologically productive land and water area required to produce the resources a population consumes and to absorb its wastes, using the prevailing technology and resource management practices.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Describe at least three major global environmental challenges.
Explain the causes and impacts of each challenge.
Evaluate the effectiveness of at least two international treaties or agreements.
Discuss barriers to effective international cooperation.
Suggest improvements for future international responses.
Award credit for accurately defining sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland definition).
Award credit for clearly distinguishing between the three pillars: environmental (natural resource preservation and ecosystem integrity), social (equity, justice, and community well-being), and economic (viable, long-term economic growth that does not undermine the other pillars).
Award credit for explaining that the ecological footprint measures the biologically productive land and water area required to produce the resources a population consumes and to absorb its wastes, using the prevailing technology and resource management practices.
Award credit for linking ecological footprint to the concept of biocapacity, demonstrating that an overshoot occurs when demand exceeds supply.
Award credit for clearly linking specific technologies (e.g., photovoltaic cells, anaerobic digestion) to measurable environmental benefits.
Expect students to reference named policy frameworks (e.g., Paris Agreement, EU Green Deal) and explain their mechanisms.
Credit should be given for evaluating trade-offs, such as the land-use impacts of bioenergy versus its carbon savings.
Look for evidence of systems thinking when discussing how solutions integrate across environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
Reward application of sustainability indicators (e.g., ecological footprint, carbon footprint) in assessing solution effectiveness.
Valuing the consideration of scale (local vs. global) when assessing the feasibility of sustainable strategies.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Use recent data or reports (e.g., IPCC) to support your points.
💡Compare the Paris Agreement with the Kyoto Protocol to show progress and gaps.
💡Consider economic and political factors when evaluating responses.
💡When defining sustainability, always reference the Brundtland Commission (1987) for full marks, and explicitly name the three pillars.
💡For ecological footprint, use precise terminology such as 'global hectares (gha)' and relate it to biocapacity to demonstrate deeper understanding.
💡In extended responses, link the concept of ecological footprint to specific examples like national footprint comparisons or Earth Overshoot Day to show real-world application.
💡When comparing sustainability approaches, ensure you evaluate trade-offs between the pillars rather than presenting one pillar in isolation.
💡Always support your evaluation with specific named case studies, such as the Danish wind energy transition or Curitiba's sustainable urban planning.
💡When discussing policy, explicitly state the scale (local, national, international) and the enforcement mechanisms involved.
💡For technology evaluation, systematically address both effectiveness and limitations using criteria like cost, scalability, and environmental impact.
💡Structure essays by clearly separating description of strategies from critical evaluation of their role in achieving sustainability.
💡Use sustainability models (e.g., triple bottom line, doughnut economics) to frame your analysis and demonstrate higher-order thinking.
💡Always define sustainability explicitly in your answers, referencing the Brundtland definition or the triple bottom line. This shows the examiner you understand the breadth of the concept.
💡Use specific case studies (e.g., sustainable forestry in Scandinavia, fisheries quotas in the EU) to illustrate points. Vague generalisations lose marks – concrete examples demonstrate application.
💡When evaluating sustainability, consider trade-offs and conflicts between the three pillars. For example, a hydroelectric dam provides renewable energy (environmental) but may displace communities (social) and have high upfront costs (economic).

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Listing challenges without explaining their significance.
Overstating the success of treaties without acknowledging limitations.
Ignoring the role of developing vs. developed countries in negotiations.
Confusing sustainability with environmentalism alone, neglecting the social and economic pillars.
Misinterpreting ecological footprint as being synonymous with carbon footprint, rather than a comprehensive measure including cropland, grazing land, fishing grounds, built-up land, forest area, and carbon demand on land.
Assuming that a smaller ecological footprint always indicates sustainable practices without comparing it to the available biocapacity.
Using vague or general terms instead of precise definitions, such as describing sustainability as 'being green' or ecological footprint as 'human impact' without quantification.
Confusing sustainability solely with environmental protection, ignoring social equity and economic viability pillars.
Assuming technological solutions alone are sufficient without addressing consumption patterns or behavioral change.
Describing strategies superficially without evaluating their limitations or unintended consequences.
Overlooking the importance of policy enforcement and stakeholder engagement in implementation.
Misinterpreting the circular economy as merely recycling rather than a systemic redesign of production and consumption.
Failing to distinguish between renewable and non-renewable energy sources when discussing sustainability transitions.
Misconception: Sustainability only means 'going green' or protecting the environment. Correction: It also includes social equity and economic viability – the triple bottom line.
Misconception: Renewable resources are always sustainable. Correction: Overexploitation of renewables (e.g., overfishing, deforestation) can lead to collapse; sustainable use requires staying within regenerative capacity.
Misconception: Sustainability is anti-economic growth. Correction: Sustainable development aims for growth that does not deplete natural capital; many sustainable practices can be economically beneficial long-term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Ecosystems and biodiversity – understanding food webs, nutrient cycles, and the importance of species diversity.
•Human impact on the environment – pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change basics.
•Resource management – concepts of renewable and non-renewable resources, and the idea of sustainable yield.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Climate change
Ozone depletion
Loss of biodiversity
Environmental, social, economic
Carrying capacity
Sustainable development
Renewable Energy Transition
Circular Economy Principles
Policy Instruments
Technological Eco-innovation
Ecosystem-based Solutions
Sustainable Urban Development

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Describe

Explain

Evaluate

Discuss

Analyse

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Sustainability

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA-EDUCATION A-Level Environmental Science

Biological resources

Pollution

The physical environment

The living environment

How to Revise Sustainability — AQA Education A-Level Environmental Science

Examiner Tips for Sustainability

Common Mistakes in Sustainability

Key Marking Points

Sustainability

Subtopics in this area

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between sustainability and sustainable development?

How do you calculate ecological footprint?

What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Why is the precautionary principle important in sustainability?

Can economic growth be sustainable?

What is the difference between weak and strong sustainability?

Before You Start

Key Terminology

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA-EDUCATION A-Level Environmental Science

Biological resources

Pollution

The physical environment

The living environment