Introduction to Introduction to Sustainability Concepts Sustainability Concepts

and Theories and Theories

Jennifer Allen and David ErvinJennifer Allen and David ErvinCenter for Sustainable Processes and Center for Sustainable Processes and

PracticesPracticesPSU Academic Sustainability ProgramsPSU Academic Sustainability Programs

June 19, 2007June 19, 2007

Outline Outline

Historical evolution of Historical evolution of sustainabilitysustainability

DefinitionsDefinitions Key concepts, theories, and ideas Key concepts, theories, and ideas PSU’s sustainability programsPSU’s sustainability programs

– Facilities and operationsFacilities and operations– Academics -- research and instructionAcademics -- research and instruction

Historical evolutionHistorical evolution Stockholm Conference on Human Stockholm Conference on Human

Environment (1970)Environment (1970) World Conservation Strategy (1980)World Conservation Strategy (1980) Natural Step (1980s)Natural Step (1980s) World Commission on Environment and World Commission on Environment and

Development’s ‘Our Common Future’ (1987)Development’s ‘Our Common Future’ (1987) UN (Rio) Conference on Environment and UN (Rio) Conference on Environment and

Development (UNCED) (1992)Development (UNCED) (1992) UN Session on Agenda 21 (1997)UN Session on Agenda 21 (1997) UN Johannesburg Conference (2002)UN Johannesburg Conference (2002) Early focus on environmental issues; now Early focus on environmental issues; now

expanding to social and economic concerns.expanding to social and economic concerns.

Sustainability initiatives Sustainability initiatives U.N. U.N. U.S. Government (DOD, EPA, DOE)U.S. Government (DOD, EPA, DOE) States (Oregon Sustainability States (Oregon Sustainability

Directives)Directives) Cities (Portland Office of SD)Cities (Portland Office of SD) Local communities (watershed groups) Local communities (watershed groups) Non-profit organizations (Natural Step)Non-profit organizations (Natural Step) Business groups (trade associations)Business groups (trade associations)

DefinitionsDefinitions Brundtland Commission – Sustainable Brundtland Commission – Sustainable

development meets the needs of the present development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.generations to meet their needs.

Reconciliation of society’s development goals Reconciliation of society’s development goals with its environmental limits over the long with its environmental limits over the long term (term (Our Common Journey,Our Common Journey, National National Research Council)Research Council)

Simultaneous achievement of economic Simultaneous achievement of economic prosperity, a healthy environment, and social prosperity, a healthy environment, and social equity for current and future generations.equity for current and future generations.

What is different?What is different? Timeframe – inter-generational focus Timeframe – inter-generational focus

challenges short term planning and challenges short term planning and “discounting” future values. “discounting” future values.

Asks us to think about connection Asks us to think about connection between economic, social, and between economic, social, and environmental issues environmental issues

Why is this difficult???Why is this difficult???– Think about how we are organizedThink about how we are organized– Think about how we are educated!Think about how we are educated!

Institutional structuresInstitutional structures Government - Agency focusGovernment - Agency focus Policies - Air, water, health, food, etc - Policies - Air, water, health, food, etc -

all addressed separatelyall addressed separately Universities, schools - Disciplinary focusUniversities, schools - Disciplinary focus Businesses – Budgets often fragmented Businesses – Budgets often fragmented

– capital vs. operating– capital vs. operating

-> Institutional and organizational issues -> Institutional and organizational issues pose major challengespose major challenges

Three components Three components of sustainabilityof sustainability

1.1. EnvironmentEnvironment – maintaining the – maintaining the earth’s life support system (e.g., earth’s life support system (e.g., ecosystem services such as pollution ecosystem services such as pollution filtering).filtering).

2.2. SocialSocial – maintaining community (civic) – maintaining community (civic) capacity that fosters effective capacity that fosters effective participation and ‘equitable’ treatment participation and ‘equitable’ treatment of all stakeholders.of all stakeholders.

3.3. EconomicEconomic – maintaining an economic – maintaining an economic system that provides a non-declining system that provides a non-declining standard of living for this and future standard of living for this and future generations. generations.

Integration as Key Sustainability Principle

Source: Axis Performance AdvisersSource: Axis Performance AdvisersEnvironmentalist View

Environment

Social

Economy

Social

Environment

Business Worldview

Economy

HumanistView

Social

Economy

Environment

Evolving Evolving sustainability theoriessustainability theories

Early community development modelEarly community development model – – study environment, society and economy as study environment, society and economy as separate disciplines (circles of influence)separate disciplines (circles of influence)

Popular sustainability theoryPopular sustainability theory – emphasize – emphasize links between environment, society and links between environment, society and economy economy

‘‘Ideal’ scientific modelIdeal’ scientific model – three circles: – three circles: largest is ‘environment’, second ‘social’ circle largest is ‘environment’, second ‘social’ circle lies within largest, and ‘economy’ lies within lies within largest, and ‘economy’ lies within social; use systems approach to incorporate social; use systems approach to incorporate linkages (dependencies) and feedback effects linkages (dependencies) and feedback effects between all three spheresbetween all three spheres

Key conceptsKey concepts

Ecosystem stability and resilienceEcosystem stability and resilience – magnitude of disturbance that can – magnitude of disturbance that can be absorbed before the be absorbed before the systemsystem changes structure.changes structure.

Systems theorySystems theory -- suggests that -- suggests that ecological, social, and economic ecological, social, and economic systems are a group of interrelated, systems are a group of interrelated, interacting or interdependent interacting or interdependent constituents forming a complex whole.constituents forming a complex whole.

Scale and place matter. Scale and place matter. Why?Why?

Natural Systems are diverse and complex…

…evolving and adaptive….

The integrity of these systems is key to their resilience

Social systems are also diverse….

…complex…

…and maintaining their integrity and diversity is key…..

…to allow them to evolve and adapt…..

…to the changing world we live in

Different systems have different requirements…

One size does not fit all….

Key concepts cont’dKey concepts cont’d..

CapitalCapital – natural, manmade, – natural, manmade, financial, human, and social assets financial, human, and social assets that deliver services into the future.that deliver services into the future.

EquityEquity – intra-generational, i.e., – intra-generational, i.e., current groups, and inter-current groups, and inter-generational, i.e., over generations generational, i.e., over generations

Economic viabilityEconomic viability – maintaining – maintaining firm profitability and government firm profitability and government solvency.solvency.

Guiding principlesGuiding principles

1.1. Maintain sufficient stocks of capital Maintain sufficient stocks of capital (natural, manmade, human and social) (natural, manmade, human and social) through use and investment such that through use and investment such that future generations can achieve at least future generations can achieve at least the same quality of life as current the same quality of life as current generations.generations.

2.2. Assure equitable distributions of capital Assure equitable distributions of capital forms across contemporary groups and forms across contemporary groups and countries and across generations.countries and across generations.

Key questionsKey questions

1.1. To what degree can manmade and human To what degree can manmade and human capital substitute for forms of natural capital? capital substitute for forms of natural capital? (strong vs. weak sustainability)(strong vs. weak sustainability)

2.2. Will we encounter irreversible thresholds for Will we encounter irreversible thresholds for certain ‘critical’ natural capital?certain ‘critical’ natural capital?

3.3. How do we engage relevant groups to identify How do we engage relevant groups to identify the values that define sustainability goals and the values that define sustainability goals and equity?equity?

4.4. How can nonmarket environmental and human How can nonmarket environmental and human services be counted in market-based economy? services be counted in market-based economy?

5.5. Do we have adequate science and data to Do we have adequate science and data to assess progress?assess progress?

Roles in Pursuing Roles in Pursuing Sustainability Sustainability

1.1. What roles can/should the business What roles can/should the business sector play in moving toward sector play in moving toward sustainability?sustainability?

2.2. What changes in government What changes in government programs & policy are necessary to programs & policy are necessary to pursue sustainability goals?pursue sustainability goals?

3.3. What roles can/should non-profit What roles can/should non-profit organizations play?organizations play?

4.4. What roles can/should universities What roles can/should universities play in fostering sound decisions play in fostering sound decisions about sustainability? about sustainability?

Take away ideasTake away ideas Environmental, social and economic systems Environmental, social and economic systems

must work in complementary ways, not at must work in complementary ways, not at odds.odds.

Pursuing sustainability is a continuing Pursuing sustainability is a continuing process, not an end state.process, not an end state.

Uncertainty in science and politics pervades Uncertainty in science and politics pervades the process.the process.

‘‘Learning by doing’ and adaptive Learning by doing’ and adaptive management are necessary.management are necessary.

Partnerships and integration are essential.Partnerships and integration are essential. One size does not fit all.One size does not fit all.

Bottom lineBottom line Sustainability is increasingly accepted Sustainability is increasingly accepted

as a goal by developed and developing as a goal by developed and developing countries, businesses, and non-profits.countries, businesses, and non-profits.

There is a need for more rigorous There is a need for more rigorous scholarship and innovative practices.scholarship and innovative practices.

Portland and Oregon are seen as Portland and Oregon are seen as national and international leaders in national and international leaders in sustainability.sustainability.

PSU has a unique opportunity and PSU has a unique opportunity and responsibility in sustainability responsibility in sustainability research, education and practice.research, education and practice.

PSU MottoPSU Motto

Doctrina Urbi Doctrina Urbi ServiatServiat

““Let Knowledge Let Knowledge Serve the City”Serve the City”

PSU Sustainability Vision & PSU Sustainability Vision & MissionMission

VISION: TVISION: To be an internationally recognized university o be an internationally recognized university known for excellence in student learning, innovative known for excellence in student learning, innovative research, and community engagement that research, and community engagement that simultaneously advance economic vitality, environmental simultaneously advance economic vitality, environmental health, and quality of life. health, and quality of life.

MISSION: Serve as a leading academic laboratory for MISSION: Serve as a leading academic laboratory for developing sustainable processes and practices using developing sustainable processes and practices using multi-disciplinary approaches in partnership with multi-disciplinary approaches in partnership with business, government, and other organizations.business, government, and other organizations.

Sustainability Sustainability Declaration(2005)Declaration(2005)

1.1. Infuse sustainability into all colleges, Infuse sustainability into all colleges, schools and programs. schools and programs.

2.2. Develop a sustainable physical campus Develop a sustainable physical campus that is an example to other institutions. that is an example to other institutions.

3.3. Make Portland State a demonstration Make Portland State a demonstration model of sustainable processes and model of sustainable processes and practices. practices.

4.4. Develop core multidisciplinary research Develop core multidisciplinary research competencies in key sustainability areas competencies in key sustainability areas related to pressing real world problems. related to pressing real world problems.

Innovate sustainable practices Innovate sustainable practices as demonstration modelsas demonstration models

Transportation alternatives (2005 Portland Transportation alternatives (2005 Portland BEST Award)BEST Award)

Green buildings – Epler Hall and Broadway Green buildings – Epler Hall and Broadway Housing (2005 Portland BEST Award)Housing (2005 Portland BEST Award)

Waste management and recyclingWaste management and recycling Sustainable food services (2006 BEST Award)Sustainable food services (2006 BEST Award) Solar energy array on Cramer HallSolar energy array on Cramer Hall

Infuse sustainability into Infuse sustainability into curriculumcurriculum

Undergraduate minorsUndergraduate minors– Sustainability (Environmental Science Sustainability (Environmental Science

and Resources)and Resources)– Sustainable Urban Development (Urban Sustainable Urban Development (Urban

Studies and Planning)Studies and Planning) Graduate certificate (university-wide)Graduate certificate (university-wide)

– Four core courses (environmental, Four core courses (environmental, social, economic, and systems social, economic, and systems integration)integration)

– Two approved electivesTwo approved electives

Develop core multidisciplinary Develop core multidisciplinary research competenciesresearch competencies

Center for Sustainable Processes & Center for Sustainable Processes & Practices (CSP2)Practices (CSP2)– Place for rigorous, cross-disciplinary Place for rigorous, cross-disciplinary

research with integrated environmental, research with integrated environmental, social and economic componentssocial and economic components

– Locus for collaborative research and Locus for collaborative research and dialogue with academic and community dialogue with academic and community participantsparticipants

– Institutional support for building a Institutional support for building a resource base resource base

What’s on the horizon?What’s on the horizon? PSU, in collaboration with OSU, U of O, and PSU, in collaboration with OSU, U of O, and

OIT is helping to develop a signature OIT is helping to develop a signature research center on clean energy, bio-based research center on clean energy, bio-based products green buildings and development products green buildings and development (Bio-economy and Sustainable Technologies (Bio-economy and Sustainable Technologies or BEST).or BEST).

Developing research and education Developing research and education collaborations with foreign universities, e.g., collaborations with foreign universities, e.g., Tongji (China).Tongji (China).

‘‘Focus the Nation’ educational initiative on Focus the Nation’ educational initiative on global warming and clean energy global warming and clean energy

Climate change research and educationClimate change research and education

Portland State Portland State University – University – Sustainable by NatureSustainable by Nature