Sustainable Development

Why Sustainability?

Sustainability provides the most compelling and proven set of values, principals, practices and policies for improving the quality of our lives – where we live and where we work. It’s initial global definition is that Sustainable Development decisions and actions are:

“Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”
- from the Brundtland Report-1987 at the World Commission on Environment and Development, does not go far enough.

The definition of the government of the United Kingdom states:

“Sustainable development is about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come.”

This focus of Sustainable Development on improving quality of life is becoming more widely accepted by government, businesses, civic and environmental groups, and various others concerned with their communities’ total well being.

The quality of life focus makes this concept more aspirational. It changes the tone and content of the sustainable development debate so that the emphasis is more on solutions than problems. Herein lies AForrest & Associates approach in working with community development and the organizations that govern them and the businesses that build them.

Taiichi Ohno, the founder of Toyota, emphasized that all human activity that absorb any resources, human or material, should create VALUE.

The idea of value as a principle and couple with quality of life can guide any action. Thus, the term sustainability is not limited to one precise definition or practice. It can be applied to local and regional communities for improving the quality of life in all aspects of managing of businesses and the organizations engaged in community development and change.

Sustainable development is a holistic concept, a strategy that requires the integration of economic growth, social equity, business practices and management, and environmental protection. Sustainable development, as stated by the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development, aims to make our communities not just better off, but better altogether.