Sustenten

Sustenten is a term found in sustainability discourse referring to a framework or approach that emphasizes the sustained delivery of ecological and social systems. In various uses, it denotes a practical orientation toward maintaining resources, ecosystems, and community well-being through long-term planning, integrated governance, and adaptive management.

The etymology of sustenten is not standardized; it is commonly treated as a neologism combining elements of sustain and tenet or tenure, used to signal a commitment to ongoing viability rather than short-term gains. Because it lacks a single, formal definition, its meaning tends to vary by author and context.

Core ideas associated with sustenten include intergenerational equity, resilience of coupled human–environment systems, and the continuous provisioning of ecosystem services. Proponents argue that the approach requires cross-sector collaboration, feedback-informed policy, and flexible targets that adjust to changing conditions while preserving fundamental life-support systems.

Applications are reported in urban planning, natural resource management, agriculture, and corporate governance. Indicators often focus on ecological integrity, resource efficiency, social inclusion, and long-run economic stability. Critics note that without standardization sustenten risks becoming a vague umbrella term rather than a concrete methodology.

Some scholars see sustenten as a useful framing for integrating sustainability with governance, while others view it as a contested or redundant label that overlaps with existing concepts such as sustainability, resilience, and adaptive management. As usage evolves, the term tends to reflect local priorities and disciplinary traditions. See also: sustainability, resilience, adaptive management.