Making quality of life a competitive advantage
Sustainability is a word with many meanings. In an era when climate change is making itself felt in daily life, environmental sustainability looms large. Environmental sustainability also engages the passions and energy of citizens in maintaining and improving the community where they live and presents a major opportunity for economic development in an increasingly fragile world. Sustainability also measures quality to life and the resilience to withstand environmental and economic shocks.
Working on sustainability has the power to energize community groups, neighborhoods and community leaders with the promise of making a difference. The work they do in collaboration with government can have tangible impact on local quality of life, making people prouder of the place they live. Sustainability is also about economic growth. As the world slowly begins reining in human impact on the planet, sustainability is generating substantial new opportunities for technology advance, business growth and employment in green industries.
Sustainability is an economic development strategy
Sustainability engages the community and generates action. When communities make sustainability a goal, they energize community groups, neighborhoods and community leaders with the promise of making a difference. The work of these groups meets sustainability goals – but just as important, it strengthens the community’s identity and creates civic pride that powers more positive change.
Sustainability and resilience are also good for the economy. As the world is turning its attention to reining in human impact on the planet, sustainability is generating substantial new opportunities for technology advance, business growth and employment in green industries.
For all these reasons, a commitment to environmental sustainability and resilience protects the Intelligent Community's future, expands their economic opportunities, and helps create a culture of innovative collaboration that powers success.
Take an online course on building sustainability and resilience. Learn more →
Read our report, Steering a Sustainable Community. Learn more →
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