Today, no one can ignore anymore the worrying state of the planet. Everyone is responsible for this issue, including the beauty industries. Pascale Rossi, Croda’s technical manager, presented the various actions that companies can take to have a positive impact on the environment at the 18th JEST organised by Cosmed on 28 September 2018.
By 2050, the world’s population is expected to reach 9 billion. Problem: the planet is not extensible. And this strong growth will necessarily imply an increase in needs and consequently an alteration of the ecosystem. “It is estimated that by 2050, we must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 50% to achieve a way of life that undermines as little as possible and does not endanger our environment. The challenge is colossal,” Pascale Rossi said.
What is sustainable development?
The definition was published in 1987 in the UN Brundtland Report. It states that “sustainable development is a mode of development that meets the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
It has several major dimensions.
• Economic: the need to develop the creation of wealth for the entire world population, through a reasoned use of resources and the natural environment.
• Social: to satisfy basic human needs (food, health, housing, education …) in the interest of social justice.
• Ecological: solidarity with future generations in the long-term management of the planet’s environmental heritage, natural resources to favor the use of renewable resources and reduce environmental risks.