1.3.5—Economic sustainability
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Objective
- 1.3.5
- Level
- HL
Profit Needs a Living Resource Base
Economic sustainability means production and consumption can continue because the resource base and ecosystem services that support them remain functional.
Separate current profit from future viability. Include depletion, soil, water regulation and other services in the economic account.
A timber business is profitable today but economically unsustainable if harvesting removes future timber, soil protection and water regulation.
Show declining resource stocks or ecosystem services despite rising sales.
Current profit or GDP growth does not prove economic sustainability.