FAO definition of FAO definition of sustainabilitysustainability

““Sustainability is: Sustainability is: the handling and conservation of the handling and conservation of

natural resources andnatural resources and the orientation of technological and the orientation of technological and

institutional change institutional change so as to ensure the continuous so as to ensure the continuous

satisfaction of human needs for present satisfaction of human needs for present and future generations” and future generations”

SustainabilitySustainability Let Let XXtt be a vector of ecosystem services (clean be a vector of ecosystem services (clean

water, forest products, food, aesthetics, etc.) water, forest products, food, aesthetics, etc.) in time tin time t The “Natural Capital” of the worldThe “Natural Capital” of the world

Strict sustainability criterion: Every element in Strict sustainability criterion: Every element in X X must be the same or greater in the futuremust be the same or greater in the future Total Natural Capital does not decreaseTotal Natural Capital does not decrease

Weak sustainability criterion:Weak sustainability criterion: U(U(XXfuturefuture) - U() - U(XXnownow) > 0, where U is utility) > 0, where U is utility In effect, one or more ecosystem services can In effect, one or more ecosystem services can

decrease in abundance, as long as there are decrease in abundance, as long as there are appropriate substitutesappropriate substitutes

Natural capital -> Economic capitalNatural capital -> Economic capital

Issues implicit in Issues implicit in sustainabilitysustainability

Distribution of resources currently Distribution of resources currently (developed versus developing)(developed versus developing)

Distribution of resources over time Distribution of resources over time (how much does the future matter?)(how much does the future matter?)

The scale of analysisThe scale of analysis