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The idea of weak sustainability is illegitimate

Author

Listed:
  • Katharina Biely

    (Hasselt University)

  • Dries Maes

    (Hasselt University)

  • Steven Passel

    (Hasselt University
    University of Antwerp)

Abstract

Since the introduction of the sustainability challenge, scientists disagree over the interpretation of the term “sustainability.” Weak and strong sustainability are the two main interpretations of sustainability, which are opposing each other. Some researchers stated that the interpretation of the term depends on the context; others disagree pointing out that it always implies the meaning of continuation. The term “sustainability” can be used as attribute, which adds a certain characteristic to the noun. If something can be attributed as being sustainable, it can also be unsustainable. The sustainability challenge consists of shifting from the current unsustainable towards a sustainable system. This paper outlines that the weak sustainability term is illegitimate, as it leads to a contradiction with the acknowledged assumption that the current state is unsustainable. This contradiction is revealed through an analysis of the occurrence of decoupling in agriculture: Agricultural land use could be decoupled from agricultural production, but only with the trade-off of massive increases in fertilizer, pesticide, energy and water usage. This paper outlines an inherent inconsistency within the ongoing discussion about the interpretation of sustainability. Through identifying the invalidity of the weak sustainability interpretation the focus can be shifted form the discourse to the sustainability challenge itself.

Suggested Citation

  • Katharina Biely & Dries Maes & Steven Passel, 2018. "The idea of weak sustainability is illegitimate," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 223-232, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:20:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s10668-016-9878-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-016-9878-4
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    3. Harmke Immink & Robbie Louw & Amy Garlick & Samuel Vosper & Alan Brent, 2022. "Country specific low carbon commitments versus equitable and practical company specific decarbonisation targets," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(8), pages 10005-10025, August.
    4. Tatyana Ponomarenko & Marina Nevskaya & Oksana Marinina, 2020. "An Assessment of the Applicability of Sustainability Measurement Tools to Resource-Based Economies of the Commonwealth of Independent States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-20, July.
    5. Topf, Julie & Schultz, Leonardo A. & Silva, José Maria Cardoso da, 2023. "An index to measure the sustainability of place-based development pathways," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 204(PA).
    6. Xiaofang Wu & Luoping Zhang & Meifeng Luo, 2020. "Discerning sustainability approaches in shipping," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(6), pages 5169-5184, August.

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