The three nested dependency model of sustainability

According to this integrative model, an intact ecology forms the basis for a functioning society. The model sees economy as a subsidiary of society, and society as a subsidiary of the environment. Thus, the concept of "nested dependency (…) illustrates the co-dependent relationship within the social and economic spheres and the governing role the environment enjoys in sustaining the human subsystems".

 Fig. : The three nested dependency model of sustainability

Web­source

Further reading:
University of Waterloo (n.d.).
Ways of framing sustainability.

Web­source

Further reading:
Willard, Bob (2010, July 20).
3 Sustainability Models.
Sustainability Advantage.

Exercise

 Task : The three nested dependency model of sustainability

Compare the nested dependency model and the three pillars model and elaborate on the following question:

Why does the economy receive a relative upgrade in comparison to the environment in the three pillars and how does this differ from the relation between economy and environment in the nested dependency model?

Time to complete approx. 30 min.