The Paradox Of Sustainability Definitions

This paper aims to encourage debate and reflection over the increasing application of the word sustainability and the implied meanings taken from this usage. It is argued that there are increasing numbers of sustainability definitions which are producing negative effects; that the interpretation and dissemination of sustainability definitions are not neutral in their effects of understanding sustainability. This paper examines how sustainability is conceptualised from two worldviews and by specifically looking at four different convening parties; how their dimensions of sustainability are linked, influence and drive the construction of the sustainability definitions in a variety of arenas and in the public domain.