Glossary

A natural process where materials organize themselves into complex structures without external guidance, often replicated in nanotechnology and smart materials.

Social sustainability refers to the capacity of a society, community, or system to function and develop in a way that supports the wellbeing, equity, and quality of life of all people, now and in the future. It focuses on creating inclusive, just, and resilient social systems that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

Sustainability is the principle of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves creating systems, practices, and ways of living that are environmentally sound, socially just, and economically viable over the long term.

Originally defined in the 1987 Brundtland Report, sustainability is now understood as a holistic and systemic concept that integrates three interdependent pillars: 

• Environmental Sustainability – Protecting and regenerating natural systems and resources.

• Social Sustainability – Ensuring equity, wellbeing, human rights, and strong communities.

• Economic Sustainability – Supporting long-term economic health and responsible growth

Systems thinking is a way of understanding and analysing complex problems by viewing them as part of an interconnected whole, rather than in isolation. It recognises that elements within a system—whether natural, social, economic, or technological—influence one another through relationships, feedback loops, and patterns over time.

Rather than focusing on linear cause-and-effect, systems thinking considers dynamic interactions, emergent behaviours, and the broader context in which a problem or situation exists.