While there is no consensus on the definition of sustainability, the weaving of environmental, social and economic considerations into a system of thought is common to most. The Brundtland Commission definition of sustainable development remains standard: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

For its part, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development conceptualized sustainable development as living off the interest the Earth generates: living within natural system limits while not drawing down that principal.

While both are solid foundations on which to build, they aren’t operational definitions for corporations. In the business environment, sustainability is often referred to as having a triple bottom line (see below).