What principle of sustainability emphasizes not harming future generations?

The principle of sustainability that emphasizes not harming future generations is intergenerational equity. This concept is grounded in the idea that current generations have a responsibility to ensure the well-being and resources of future generations are preserved. Intergenerational equity advocates for fairness in how resources are utilized, ensuring that actions taken today do not deplete or degrade the environment, natural resources, and social systems that future generations will rely on.

This principle aligns with the broader goals of sustainability, which seeks to balance economic, environmental, and social needs for both the present and the future. By placing value on the rights of future generations, intergenerational equity encourages long-term thinking and decision-making that prioritizes sustainable practices.

In contrast, environmental stewardship focuses on managing and protecting natural resources, which is critical but does not explicitly address future generations. The systems thinking approach encourages understanding the interrelatedness of various components within ecosystems and human systems but doesn’t specifically emphasize equity across generations. Collaborative decision-making involves engaging stakeholders to find shared solutions but lacks the focus on preventing harm to future generations encapsulated in intergenerational equity.