What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development is defined as:
“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
— United Nations Brundtland Report (1987)
It is built on three interconnected pillars:
1. Environmental sustainability
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Preserve biodiversity and ecosystems
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Reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource depletion
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Support the health of the planet
2. Social sustainability
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Respect human rights and labor rights
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Foster equity, inclusion, education, and community well-being
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Promote health, safety, and fair working conditions
3. Economic sustainability
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Create long-term value
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Encourage innovation and responsible growth
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Ensure businesses thrive without harming society or nature
What is the Circular Economy?
The circular economy is a new way of designing, making, and using products that eliminates waste and keeps materials in use as long as possible. It’s a regenerative system in contrast to the “take-make-dispose” model of the linear economy.
Its three core principles:
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Design out waste and pollution
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Keep products and materials in use
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Regenerate natural systems
In a circular economy, resources circulate within closed loops. Businesses focus on:
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Eco-design
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Repair, reuse, and remanufacture
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Sharing platforms and product-as-a-service models
Durability vs. Sustainability
Durability refers to the capacity of something to endure over time. In the business context, it means:
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Building resilient strategies
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Focusing on long-term survival rather than short-term profit
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Aligning decisions with environmental and social values
Durability is often seen as the practical expression of sustainability, especially for SMEs that must balance innovation with survival.
Why It Matters for SMEs
SMEs represent over 90% of businesses worldwide — and they are uniquely positioned to:
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Make quick, agile decisions toward greener practices
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Influence supply chains through innovation and partnerships
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Respond to local needs and contribute to community well-being
Transitioning to sustainability and circularity can help SMEs:
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Cut costs (via energy savings, material reuse, etc.)
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Improve resilience against regulatory and market shifts
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Attract values-driven customers, partners, and employees
How We Help
At Vigie-PME, we provide two tools to help SMEs take meaningful steps:
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The Compass of Durability assesses your sustainability orientation and mindset (based on 45 questions)
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The Index of Circularity benchmarks your practices across 16 business types and offers tailored insights (approx. 90 questions)
Together, these tools help you understand where you stand, compare with peers, and plan your next steps toward a more sustainable and circular business.