Creating sustainable futures/CSF101/Defining sustainability/Models

The relationship between economic, social and environmental systems is usually shown in one of two ways:



In this first graphic, the three systems are shown as separate yet connected systems. The point where all three circles intersect is referred to as the sweet-spot where outcomes are sustainable, by balancing the economic, social and environmental concerns. This model is sometimes referred to as “weak sustainability”. It tends to encourage trade-offs where economic objectives take priority over environmental and social objectives.

Some people, cynically, refer to it as the “Mickey Mouse” model, with reality looking more like this second graphic.