ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the concept of ‘sustainability’ and ‘sustainable development’ in the context of property development. It also discusses the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and explains the relationship between sustainability and CSR. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In a similar manner to the challenges faced when seeking to define what CSR actually is, there also is no finite list of the different types of CSR. A useful discussion was provided by Carroll who argued there were four distinct types of CSR as: economic responsibilities; legal responsibilities; ethical responsibilities; and philanthropic responsibilities. An essential task when undertaking CSR is to maintain a high level of accountability to all stakeholders in relation to social, economic and environmental impacts. Within this context, sustainability reporting is the method of demonstrating accountability.
