SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: FROM AN ABSOLUTE POINT OF VIEW TO A RELATIVE ONE

Abstract

Purpose: the aim is to present a concept of relative sustainable development that is linked to a specific environment; this concept refers to the Italian mining sector. The need for a new conceptualisation derives from the fact that an absolute value to the sustainable development forces to lose sight of the specific environment in which it was inserted.
Design/Methodology/Approach: on the basis on meetings conducted with professionals of the mining sector, a model that describes the economic environment has been developed. In addition, specific problems that characterise the Italian case (e.g. the drop in mining production, the poor professional training, the anachronistic set of rules, the syndrome NIMBY, the poor dissemination of mining culture) have been considered.
FINDINGS: it has been demonstrated that the sustainable development is a relative concept which is inevitably linked to the context. In other words, an unequivocal definition of the concept does not exist. In fact, different definitions are possible on the basis of the importance that is given to economic, environmental and social principles.
Originality/Value: differently than before, sustainable development is examined considering the linked environment, not only as a set of natural resources but as a system composed by actors involved in the economic environment which includes a stated political order, a level of technology, and stakeholders. Furthermore, a solution to the problems affecting the Italian mining sector is suggested: i.e. an independent and permanent comparison table with a Scientific Committee that gives support to policymaker, disseminate culture in the local communities and harmonize the set of rules etc. would be useful.
KEY WORDS Sustainable development | economic environment model | mining activity.
CLASSIFICATION Conceptual paper.