Article by Pablo Urani
At first glance, sustainability and sustainable development seem similar concepts, but when we analyse them linguistically and philosophically, we realise that the difference between them is not only technical, but has profound implications for the way we conceive our relationship with the world.
1. Structural difference in language
From a strictly linguistic point of view:
- ‘Sustainable development’ is a construction in which “development” is the core meaning, and “sustainable” is a qualifying adjective. That is, it is taken for granted that development is the goal, and sustainability is a desirable condition within that framework.
- ‘Sustainability’, on the other hand, is a noun in itself, not subordinated to the idea of development or any other concept. It is a broader principle, which can be applied not only to the economic or productive sphere, but also to our relationships, our way of living, of consuming, of organising ourselves as a society.
2. Implications for thinking and acting
When we talk about sustainable development, we are accepting the paradigm of growth and expansion, but with certain limits or conditions. It is a vision that continues to focus on material and economic progress, trying to make it less destructive, minimising negative impacts. In this sense, it continues to be a concept that arises from an anthropocentric logic and that to a certain extent ‘agrees’ or accepts that growth implies some undesired effects.
In contrast, the very concept of sustainability is not necessarily tied to the idea of growth or development. It is a much more holistic concept that implies balance, interdependence, responsibility and regeneration. It is not just about making development last longer or cause less damage, but about a way of existing that ensures harmony between natural, social and economic systems, without assuming that expansion or growth is always the goal to be prioritised.
3. A radical paradigm shift
This is where the difference, however subtle it may seem, becomes crucial (or abysmal!). Talking about sustainable development leaves us in the same paradigm as always: development as the central objective, albeit with adjustments. But talking about sustainability implies questioning at the root our models of production, consumption and relationship with the environment.
Sustainability begs the question:
- Do we need to grow indefinitely to be better off?
- If we were to generate the same amount of goods and services (GDP) as the previous year …. (without ‘growing’ or increasing) would it be a tragedy?
- Why do we take it for granted that development must always be positive?
- Can we imagine societies based on equity and balance, rather than expansion and accumulation?
- What would a model look like where the priority is not economic growth, but the regeneration of the social and ecological fabric, or the reduction of inequalities?
- And an even more challenging question… How would we make the transition from one model to another? What initiatives would need to be undertaken today?
4. A more human and transcendental vision
If we adopt sustainability as a guiding principle, we stop seeing it only as a matter of public policy or economic strategy and take it into the realm of the personal, the ethical and even the philosophical. It becomes a way of thinking and living that transcends the purely material:
- Sustainability in our human relationships, avoiding exploitation and abuse.
- Sustainability in our communication, seeking understanding, empathy and harmony rather than conflict.
- Sustainability in our well-being, prioritising physical and mental balance over excessive productivity.
And finally, the challenge of a ‘unique’ understanding of the concept of sustainability
The difference between sustainability and sustainable development is not just a matter of semantics. It is a distinction that changes the way we think about the world. While sustainable development continues to operate within the growth paradigm, sustainability takes a much more radical and profound view, where balance, regeneration and interdependence are the fundamental principles. It is therefore important to delve deeper into what meaning YOU give to the term ‘sustainability’, and to generate consensus on what we should understand as a community, from the same word (noun? or adjective?)….
Understanding this difference and adopting it in the way we act can be the first step in building a society that not only ‘moderates’ its negative impact, but actually transforms its relationship with the planet, its fellow man and itself.
