Exploring Sustainable Development from an Ecofeminist Perspective : A Discourse Analysis of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Abstract: The concept of sustainable development has largely failed to address environmental and social crises in a meaningful and transformative way, despite its growing popularity. Ecofeminism offers a way to understand and challenge assumptions embedded in the sustainable development discourse. A critical reading of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s discourse identified six themes: (1) economic empowerment of women (2) reporting does matter (3) reporting on socio-economic measurements (4) solutions for all (5) shifting focus and (6) defining the middle class. Each theme is based on one of five different characteristics of dualism. It can be concluded that sustainable development discourse perpetuates the dualism of Progress / Rejuvenation which is a duality that further maintains a broad system of dualism already in existence throughout Western society. The study contributes to a better understanding of the importance of more diverse platforms of understanding that allow for transformative solutions to pressing ecological and social crises.