Meaning of sustainability differs from one person to other person, and from one organization to other organization. For some organisations, sustainability means surviving. They are true in their sense, as they need to survive to avoid redundancies.

For other organisations, sustainability means some combination of following parameters:

  1. Social
  2. Environmental
  3. Ethical
  4. Economic

To our knowledge, the concept of sustainable development was firstly described by the 1987 Bruntland Commission Report, which was presented to United Nations. It means – development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainability standards have also seen a tremendous uptake. There are 500+ standards, audits, frameworks, methodologies, guidance, assessments, etc. Each offers an innovative framework for more inclusiveness in trade, and more respect of people and the environment. We think that all of these organisations have done a great job towards sustainable future, and we wish all of them to do well in future. Each standard, guidance, assessment, methodology, framework, audit, labels, etc have their own strengths and they are all perfect in their own ways.

céleste © Concept & Framework

ISO20400 - Sustainable Procurement

ISO37001 - Anti Bribery

ISO 26000 - Social Responsibility

ISO14001 – Environment Management

EMAS - EU Eco-Management & Audit Scheme

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

United Nations Global Compact & Sustainability

United Nations - Business & International Human Rights

International Labor Organisation - ILO - Labour & Human Rights

World Bank & Sustainability

WIPO - World Intellectual Property Organization

United Nations Environment Programme

SA8000 - Standard by Social Accountability International (SAI)

amfori BSCI - Business Social Compliance Initiative

amfori BEPI - Business Environmental Performance Initiative

SMETA - Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit

Ecovadis & Sustainability

Fairtrade

ICTI - Ethical Toy Program

ICS - Initiative of Compliane & Sustainability

ETI - Ethical Trade Initiative

FLA - Fair Labor Association

GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards

SASB - Sustainability Accounting Standards Board

Sustainability, Eco Labels & ISO14020-21-24-25-26-27

GHG Protocol & Sustainability

CDP – Carbon Disclosure Project

Ellen MacArthur Foundation & Circular Economy

PACE - Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy

EU & US Law on Conflict Minerals

RMI - Responsible Minerals Initiative

DJSI - Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Bloomberg SASB Sustainability Index