What is Sustainable Development?
“A vision of development balanced between humanity’s economic and social needs, and the capacity of the earth’s resources and ecosystems to meet present and future needs.”
– Koffi Annan, former UN secretary-general
“For Singapore, sustainable development means achieving both a more dynamic economy and a better quality living environment, for Singaporeans now and in the future”– the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR)
This statement highlights the government’s belief in the need for sustainable development in Singapore, intertwining the economy and the environment. Hence, the blogger was inspired to explore the role of companies towards environmental sustainability in Singapore. Companies use up large volumes of resources in the daily running of their business. They also constitute a major influence in the lives of the public since the consumerist culture is alive and well. Hence, the blogger theorizes that if companies adopt a concern for the environment and act upon it, it would dramatically help to alleviate environmental problems, as well as create ripple effects of environmental-friendliness within their employees and customers.