What is the difference between sustainability and sustainable development

By Dr Karmen Lužar, published on 13 July 2026 

Sustainability and sustainable development are often used interchangeably. However, there in an important distinction between these two terms. Sustainability is generally the desired long-term condition or state (e.g. healthy ecosystems, prosperous communities, resilient economies) sustained over time, whereas sustainable development is the process of achieving that condition while balancing environmental, social and economic objectives over time. Sustainable development challenges therefore concern the development process, i.e., how societies grow, govern, innovate and distribute resources, not simply environmental problems.

A useful way to think about it is:

Sustainability challenge: The world is losing biodiversity.

Sustainable development challenge: How can governments, businesses and communities continue economic and social development while preventing biodiversity loss?

Or:

Sustainability challenge: Climate change.

Sustainable development challenge: Transitioning to a low-carbon economy in a way that maintains jobs, energy security and social equity.

The latter focuses on the development/progress pathway and governance of change, which is why sustainable development is fundamentally about managing complex trade-offs, integrating multiple objectives, and enabling long-term societal transformation rather than addressing isolated environmental issues.

Who is responsible for sustainable development?

Sustainable development challenges can occur at multiple scales. At the regional or societal level, they are typically addressed by governments, regional authorities, international organisations and cross-sector partnerships responsible for planning, policy and public investment. 

At the organisational level, they are addressed by businesses, not-for-profit organisations and other institutions seeking to align their strategies, operations and innovations with broader sustainable development objectives. 

While the nature and scope of these challenges differ across scales, both require balancing environmental, social and economic priorities while managing trade-offs, uncertainty and diverse stakeholder expectations.

Here are some examples of sustainable development challenges at the regional or societal level:

• Transitioning to low-carbon energy systems while maintaining economic competitiveness and energy security.

• Managing water resources to meet the needs of communities, agriculture, industry and ecosystems.

• Balancing urban growth and infrastructure development with biodiversity conservation.

• Reducing poverty and inequality while promoting inclusive economic development.

• Creating decent employment opportunities during technological and economic transitions.

• Decoupling economic growth from resource consumption and environmental degradation.

• Developing circular economy systems that minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency.

• Coordinating diverse stakeholders with competing interests to achieve shared development outcomes.

• Financing and implementing innovation that supports long-term sustainable development.

• Building resilient communities that can adapt to climate change and other emerging risks.

For businesses and organisations, sustainable development challenges often include:

• Developing sustainable products and services.

• Integrating the SDGs into corporate strategy.

• Measuring and reporting sustainability performance.

• Balancing shareholder expectations with business values.

• Decarbonising operations while remaining competitive.

• Building resilient and ethical supply chains.

• Managing stakeholder expectations across communities, regulators and investors.

Different levels are interconnected

Organisational sustainable development challenges cannot be considered separately from the broader societal context in which organisations operate. Businesses and other institutions both influence and are influenced by regional development priorities, policy directions, community expectations and environmental conditions. For sustainable development outcomes to be achieved, organisational strategies need to align with, and contribute to, the broader aspirations of the communities and regions in which they operate. For example, a region that prioritises renewable energy transition requires organisations operating within that region to adapt through investments in clean technologies, energy efficiency and new business models. Similarly, regions seeking to become leaders in sustainable tourism need organisations across the tourism value chain, such as accommodation providers, transport operators and visitor experience providers, to align their practices with biodiversity conservation, cultural values and low-impact visitor management.

Examples can be seen in regions that have deliberately positioned sustainable development as part of their economic and social identity. The Canary Islands, for example, have increasingly focused on sustainable tourism models in response to environmental pressures from mass tourism, encouraging tourism organisations to adopt approaches related to resource efficiency, ecosystem protection and visitor management. Similarly, regions such as Queensland have developed priorities around renewable energy, climate resilience and nature-based tourism, creating expectations and opportunities for organisations to innovate in areas such as clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, conservation and regenerative visitor experiences. In this way, organisations are not separate actors responding to sustainability challenges; they are key participants in shaping and delivering sustainable development pathways.

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Natura PR works across both levels by supporting sustainable development at the regional/system level and the organisational level. At the regional level, Natura PR works with communities, governments and cross-sector stakeholders to understand complex challenges, develop strategic responses and support pathways towards more resilient and sustainable futures. At the organisational level, Natura PR helps businesses and institutions translate sustainable development principles into practical strategies, innovation approaches, governance frameworks and measurable actions. By connecting regional aspirations with organisational capability, Natura PR supports the alignment needed to create meaningful and lasting sustainable development outcomes.