Is sustainability sustainable? As an engineer, programmer, and teacher and of late as science fiction author, I find this question located at the crossroads where idealism and pragmatism meet. Lofty ideals, like sustainability, often start with great promise but risk losing their essence when reshaped by shifting political and social landscapes.
Take, for instance, how certain concepts evolve over time. Consider ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). These modern terms have counterparts in history and policy. In India, DEI mirrors the principle of reservation—a policy designed to address inequities but often weaponized for political or personal gain. The recent case in IIM Bangalore is a case in point. Similarly, ESG initiatives, while noble, have sometimes become battlegrounds for competing agendas. The opposition to the Narmada Dam by Medha Patkar or the Sterlite plant's closure in Tamil Nadu exemplify how sustainability can be co-opted to serve interests far removed from its original intent.
Even beyond corporate contexts, tools intended for protection—like erstwhile Section 498 of the Indian Penal Code or POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) laws—very often fall prey to misuse, transforming safeguards into instruments of exploitation. Recent cases of men committing suicide in the face of extortionary demands in divorce cases are examples that highlight how ideals, however noble, can falter when wielded carelessly.
Where Does Sustainability Fit in Business?
Here, I propose a thought experiment : Imagine a business as a fighter aircraft. Its engine, the
source of thrust, is technology. From agriculture to information technology and, more recently, AI, this engine drives humanity forward. Yet, technology alone does not ensure progress. An aircraft also needs an airframe—the societal structures and behavioral sciences -- without which it loses its utility of delivering men and munitions to the target.
But without control surfaces—the rudder and ailerons that guide it—a plane becomes a ballistic missile. To be used only once. Sustainability should serve as these control systems, ensuring that the aircraft’s trajectory brings it back to the hanger for the next missions -- or in other words aligns with the goal of long-term survival and utility. In essence, sustainability must balance growth with responsibility, preventing the destruction of both the physical and human environments.
Sustainability as a Guiding Framework
Without sustainability, our metaphorical aircraft risks achieving a single flight -- a ballistic missile -- at the cost of its future. Sustainability, therefore, should act not as a restraint but as a directional framework. It must:
- Prevent the exploitation of natural ecosystems.
- Protect the integrity of human societies.
However, sustainability must never become the tail that wags the dog of economic growth. It should complement, not constrain, technological and economic progress.
Integrating Sustainability into B-School Curricula
So, how can B-Schools integrate sustainability into their core curricula? By embedding it within a multidisciplinary framework. Case studies on green technologies, renewable energy solutions, and sustainable supply chains can showcase how innovation drives both profitability and ecological balance..
A Closing Thought
Allow me to conclude with two compelling examples of how technology and sustainability intersect. First, the evolution of cryptocurrency: Traditional proof-of-work systems consume vast amounts of energy. However, the shift to proof-of-stake systems, as seen in Ethereum,
has dramatically reduced energy consumption while maintaining functionality. Second, nuclear energy—a misunderstood yet vital resource—produces immense power with minimal carbon emissions, offering a pathway to meet growing energy demands sustainably.
These examples illustrate that sustainability should not be weaponized against technology or economic growth. Rather, technology must form the foundation of sustainability, as envisioned in my science fiction trilogy Chronotantra, Chronoyantra, and Chronomantra. In these works, we explore how the future of humanity hinges on our ability to harness technology -- particularly AI -- in a manner that is both revolutionary and yet very much sustainable.
