SUSTAINABILITY CODE IN BULGARIA: CONCEPTUALIZATION, MODELS, PERSPECTIVES
SUSTAINABILITY CODE IN BULGARIA: CONCEPTUALIZATION, MODELS, PERSPECTIVES

Author(s): Rumiana Jeleva
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Economy, Governance, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Бургаски свободен университет
Keywords: sustainability code; conceptualization; models; perspectives
Summary/Abstract: “Sustainability Code”, though not a specific term or document, is broadly applied. There may be different sustainability codes in different contexts or organizations. Typically, these codes represent a set of principles, guidelines and standards that aim to achieve sustainability, i.e., a balanced satisfaction of current needs that is maintained without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland, 1987) A sustainability code may include principles and practices related to environmental, economic and social aspects (Elkington, 1997). For example, it may promote efficient use of energy and resources, conservation of nature and biodiversity, promotion of social justice and equality, respect for workers' rights, etc. Various international organizations have developed and are implementing such sustainability codes. For example, the United Nations (UN) has the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a comprehensive framework of 17 goals covering various aspects of sustainability, such as poverty alleviation, education, health, environmental sustainability, etc. Nation-level organizations, such as the German Council for Sustainable Development1, and supranational bodies, such as the European Union, likewise define values, principles and practices that they and their partners are expected to follow in order to achieve sustainability in their activities; these terms are articulated in specific sustainability codes or frameworks, which include quantitative and qualitative indicators used for registering and reporting achieved sustainability. Many businesses and organizations are also establishing their own sustainability codes and/or codes of conduct in line with sustainability values.

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