« Contemporary society considers sustainable development to be the best way to address these complex and interrelated problems for the sake of current and future generations and for the integrity of the planet ». (T. Waas, A. Verbruggen, T. Wright, Journal of Cleaner Production, 18 (2010) 629–636).

Thus, « This inherent interdependence between the long-term stability of the environment and the economy is the foundation of the field of sustainable development » (Rachel Emas, Florida International University).

Similar (according) to Porter’s win-win hypothesis that a trade-off isn’t necessary, sustainable development policies look to tackle the sources of environmental degradation, not just the symptoms, while still providing opportunities and creating incentives for economic advancement (Porter & van der Linde, 1995).