environment, economy, and society. However, with a similar meaning, the three are
often referred to as the 3E, with society renamed as equity (Esty et al. 2005). This
perspective however does not wholly coincide with the former view in the strict
sense. Essentially, this is because in the former, the concept of society encompasses
not only equity but also benefits including social amenities. In either case, it is
essential that consideration be given to the independent establishment of the sustainability of the three elements. In this regard, distinguishing between weak sustainability and strong sustainability becomes important. Making an assumption of
substitutability among the four types of capital—physical capital, human capital,
social capital, and natural capital—after differentiating these means “weak sustainability,” and the view that there is no substitutability among these is “strong
sustainability” (Pearce and Barbier 2000; Ekins et al. 2003; Dietz and Neumayer
2007; Nourry 2008). The focus here is on the treatment of natural capital. When
natural capital is lost, the issue is whether it can be substituted with capital that can
be formed in human society such as physical capital, human capital, or social capital.
If it is believed that natural capital can be substituted, even if natural capital is lost
due to the advance of environmental destruction, the economic production of human
beings is considered not to have diminished when other types of capital that are
formed can adequately cover the loss. On the other hand, if natural capital is
decisively important capital that cannot be substituted, it becomes necessary to
retain the natural capital, that is, environment and ecosystems.
As the above discussion attests, a common, sound definition has yet to be
assigned to the concept of sustainability. This however does not mean that common
elements are lacking. The concept of sustainability can perhaps be summarized in the
following three points: first, the three aspects of environment, economy, and society
must be assessed individually and independently, and the three must be established
independently of each other; second, equity between the present generation future
generations, as well as equity among people of the present generation, must be
ensured; finally, the first two conditions must be guaranteed permanently.
As stated above, discussion on sustainability has not always proceeded on the
premise of first establishing a definition for the term sustainability itself. Accompanying the increase of human economic output, human economic activities cumulatively have reached environmental limitations, and it has become necessary to
consider the concept of sustainability in a context of conflict between the economy
and environment. On reaching environmental limitations, people have learned that
there is a limitation to all-out devotion to increasing economic output and have
begun to clearly consider the risk of irreversible destruction of environmental
systems. At any rate, it can be said that the concept of sustainability is still evolving,
and the various views and arguments regarding its meaning may be in the process of
converging into a firm definition.
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K. Mori
often referred to as the 3E, with society renamed as equity (Esty et al. 2005). This
perspective however does not wholly coincide with the former view in the strict
sense. Essentially, this is because in the former, the concept of society encompasses
not only equity but also benefits including social amenities. In either case, it is
essential that consideration be given to the independent establishment of the sustainability of the three elements. In this regard, distinguishing between weak sustainability and strong sustainability becomes important. Making an assumption of
substitutability among the four types of capital—physical capital, human capital,
social capital, and natural capital—after differentiating these means “weak sustainability,” and the view that there is no substitutability among these is “strong
sustainability” (Pearce and Barbier 2000; Ekins et al. 2003; Dietz and Neumayer
2007; Nourry 2008). The focus here is on the treatment of natural capital. When
natural capital is lost, the issue is whether it can be substituted with capital that can
be formed in human society such as physical capital, human capital, or social capital.
If it is believed that natural capital can be substituted, even if natural capital is lost
due to the advance of environmental destruction, the economic production of human
beings is considered not to have diminished when other types of capital that are
formed can adequately cover the loss. On the other hand, if natural capital is
decisively important capital that cannot be substituted, it becomes necessary to
retain the natural capital, that is, environment and ecosystems.
As the above discussion attests, a common, sound definition has yet to be
assigned to the concept of sustainability. This however does not mean that common
elements are lacking. The concept of sustainability can perhaps be summarized in the
following three points: first, the three aspects of environment, economy, and society
must be assessed individually and independently, and the three must be established
independently of each other; second, equity between the present generation future
generations, as well as equity among people of the present generation, must be
ensured; finally, the first two conditions must be guaranteed permanently.
As stated above, discussion on sustainability has not always proceeded on the
premise of first establishing a definition for the term sustainability itself. Accompanying the increase of human economic output, human economic activities cumulatively have reached environmental limitations, and it has become necessary to
consider the concept of sustainability in a context of conflict between the economy
and environment. On reaching environmental limitations, people have learned that
there is a limitation to all-out devotion to increasing economic output and have
begun to clearly consider the risk of irreversible destruction of environmental
systems. At any rate, it can be said that the concept of sustainability is still evolving,
and the various views and arguments regarding its meaning may be in the process of
converging into a firm definition.
168
K. Mori