Sustainability - what does it mean?

Sustainability is an organising principle that can be applied to human development goals (thus we may talk about “sustainable development”), and is best described by a crucial statement from the 1987 report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, titled Our Common Future.

“Humanity has the ability to induce development sustainable to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Sustained development is best supported by sustainable economic activity. The underlying idea is that while conducting activities of this kind one takes into account the impact they might have on the environment and the neighbouring areas, as well as many related issues, like workers’ rights or the potential reverberations for the local community.

The purpose of the label “Sustainable” (that can be seen on selected product pages on the AnthonyantonellisShops’s online shop website) is to single out “Eco” and “Fair Trade” products which are manufactured with respect towards the environment and workers’ rights. This kind of approach to pivotal matters is on the rise among the biggest brands in the world. Activities like these are aimed at stopping the greenhouse effect, reducing the negative impact of global trade on the environment, and saving the ecosystem of our planet.

Stepney Workers Club.