- The pillars of sustainable development are economic, environmental and social, according to the UN.
- Some authors include a fourth pillar, which would be related to politics and institutions.
When asked what sustainable development is, we could answer that it is a type of progress in which a series of needs are met without sacrificing or compromising the capabilities of future generations.
It is a term that revolves around the balance between economic growth, care for the environment and social well-being, these three issues being the main pillars of sustainable development.
What are the pillars of sustainable development?
These three pillars must be balanced in order to achieve the primary objective of sustainable development, although some include a fourth pillar: the political-institutional pillar.
Economic pillar
This part of sustainable development has to do with long-term viable growth and focuses on generating well-being and employment.
Productivity and innovation serve to drive economic growth while ensuring that this growth does not come at the expense of social or environmental well-being.
Linked in the same way to the environmental pillar, as we shall see later, the efficient use of resources also has to do with the economic pillar. Energy efficiency, waste reduction, clean technologies and the rational use of raw materials are some examples of this efficient use.
In terms of employment, job creation in clean industries and the equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities are other issues to be taken into account from an economic perspective in order to promote sustainable development.
Environmental pillar
The environmental pillar of sustainable development is related to the preservation of the environment and natural resources to ensure that future generations can also enjoy a planet in similar conditions to those of today.
This aspect of sustainable development involves various actions aimed at preservation, such as reducing greenhouse gases and proper waste management.
The promotion of the circular economy—with reuse, recycling, and repair as its main components—and more efficient water management, recognising the importance of this essential and limited resource.
Likewise, the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity through the protection of natural habitats and the curbing of deforestation are other actions that underpin the environmental pillar of sustainable development.
Social pillar
The third pillar of sustainable development has to do with ensuring the well-being, equity and quality of life of all people through mechanisms such as social justice and community strengthening.
This social pillar has different aspects. On the one hand, there is education, aimed at guaranteeing access to quality education.
In terms of health and well-being, access to health services also influences sustainable development, as does having access to drinking water or improving hygiene conditions to reduce disease and, consequently, increase quality of life standards.
Political-institutional pillar
Governance, institutional coordination, the legal framework and citizen participation are some of the aspects referred to in the political-institutional pillar of sustainable development.
Those who include this fourth pillar among the fundamentals of sustainable development do so on the premise that sound governance is what enables social policies to promote equity and human rights, the economy to be responsible, and actions aimed at environmental protection to be implemented effectively.
Telefónica and sustainable development
According to Telefónica’s “2024 Socio-economic Contribution Report”, the company generated a positive socio-economic impact of almost €100 billion in 2024.
Likewise, the connectivity offered by the company serves to transform society through the enormous opportunities it offers in areas such as education, employment and social participation.
In this regard, the operator focuses its action on SDG 9, with the aim of helping to close the digital divide in terms of both access and use.
In terms of environmental commitment, Telefónica focuses on SDGs 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, decoupling its growth from its environmental footprint and helping to decarbonise the economy.
