Milestones and evolution of sustainability, sustainable development and sustainability (1972-2022)

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the milestones and evolution of the concepts of sustainability, sustainable development, and sustentability between 1972 and 2022, through a chronological inventory that helps to understand the theoretical, conceptual, and ethical orientations that support institutional and academic actions on the subject. The central objective was to study how these milestones, mainly driven by the United Nations, have influenced the relationship between nature, society, and the economy, as well as political, regulatory, and business decisions at the global level. The research adopted a historical inductive, documentary, and descriptive approach, using document analysis to identify the main events and declarations that shaped the narrative of sustainability over five decades. The findings show that, from the Stockholm Conference of 1972 to the Stockholm+50 Conference in 2022, the United Nations has played a decisive role in promoting sustainable development. The report Our Common Future (1987) was the most relevant milestone, as it consolidated the expression “sustainable development,” reaffirmed at the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Conference and projected into the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. It is concluded that sustainability has been framed by a vision of economic development accompanied by social and environmental commitments. Likewise, the reviewed milestones generated significant impacts on public regulations and responsible business actions, disseminated through non-financial reports. The research highlights the growing importance and complexity of the subject, emphasizing the need for a critical analysis of both discourses and practices related to sustainability.