Conceptual frameworks and visual interpretations of sustainability

This article presents a dual (conceptual and visual) discussion of sustainability and sustainable development, arguing for the two perspectives being complementary. The conceptual treatment includes an analysis of the concepts using a systemic framework highlighting the plurality of interpretations arising from the specification of the system, valuation function, and theoretical perspective adopted. The relations between development, and material and non-material economic growth (including sustainable degrowth) are examined from the standpoint of sustainability. The visual discussion includes a comparison of different integrated visualisations of sustainability containing the three basic dimensions (social, environmental, economic). Descriptions are given of representations that include, in addition, the political-institutional dimension, and others that contain systemic interrelations, different dimensions, and vectorial representations of sustainability. An interpretation of the evolutionary dynamics of the sustainability processes stemming from political and governance actions is proposed. Lastly, a number of general conclusions are presented.