Towards Absolute Sustainability: Reflections on Ecological and Social Sustainability Frameworks—A Review

Alexander Griebler (), Eva-Maria Holzinger, Michael Tost, Robert Obenaus-Emler and Peter Moser
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Alexander Griebler: Resources Innovation Center, Montanuniversität Leoben, 8700 Leoben, Styria, Austria
Eva-Maria Holzinger: Zentrum für Globalen Wandel & Nachhaltigkeit, BOKU University, 1180 Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Michael Tost: Chair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics, Montanuniversität Leoben, 8700 Leoben, Styria, Austria
Robert Obenaus-Emler: Resources Innovation Center, Montanuniversität Leoben, 8700 Leoben, Styria, Austria
Peter Moser: Chair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics, Montanuniversität Leoben, 8700 Leoben, Styria, Austria

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-24

Abstract: The interconnectedness of Earth’s ecological and social systems means that changes in one area invariably affect others. Human activities continue to push the planet beyond safe thresholds, threatening both environmental stability and human well-being. Despite decades of discourse, a universally recognized and operational definition of sustainability remains elusive. While frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Planetary Boundaries, and Decent Living Standards have advanced the conversation, none fully captures the complexities of socio-ecological interdependencies or provides actionable guidance. This paper outlines the historical and conceptual context of sustainability, including the shift from the Holocene to the Anthropocene, and critically reviews key frameworks such as the Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals, Planetary Boundaries, Doughnut Economy, and Decent Living Standards. It identifies key gaps, including the misalignment between biophysical thresholds and social goals, lack of regional specificity, and missing mechanisms for translating global objectives into just and implementable policies. Building on this analysis, this paper proposes a more precise definition of sustainability: any action that accelerates planetary overshoot or impedes the achievement of a decent life must be considered unsustainable. By advancing this integrative definition, this paper seeks to inform academic discourse and support the development of more equitable and operational sustainability strategies, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. In doing so, it offers conceptual guidance to address persistent gaps in the SDG framework, with specific relevance to targets such as SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Keywords: sustainability definition; decent life; Planetary Boundaries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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