To lead a better life, we are continually developing the way of living in this earth by using different resources.  But as the resources are finite, we should use it conservatively and wisely with a view to long-term priorities. 

Here comes the word SUSTAINABILITY or SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. 

In simplest terms, Sustainability means meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs whether that is environmental, social or economic. In business and policy contexts, sustainability seeks to prevent the depletion of natural or physical resources, so that they will remain available for the long term.

As per the UN World Commission on Environment and Development: “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

We need to be more sensible while fulfilling our needs with these resources. Unless we measure something, we won't know if it is getting better or worse. For a sustainable development, we must measure our activities against the standard, so that we may take initiative to control it while fulfilling our needs. 

Standards provide potential solutions to issues, resolve problems and provide a means of compliance with legislation. Few standards and certifications are as follows through which we can measure the impacts of our activities that we are doing to fulfill our necessities:

• ISO Guidance on Social Responsibility (ISO 14001)
• United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards (UNFSS)
• International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC)
• Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
• International Sustainability Standard Board (ISSB) 
• EU Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)
• Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)
• Benefit Corporation (B Corp)
• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
• Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)