Abstract:

In many countries ecological activities play an important role in balanced development of the society. Sustainable systems get more and more popular. In urban areas, tramway lines are being constructed. Local governments promote healthier and faster means of public transport. Industrial companies hire professionals to their research and development (R&D) departments who search for new or more efficient technologies. However, there are many problems waiting to be solved. This article describes a complexity of problems related to the sustainability in production systems. The matter usually demands many different undertakings (projects) aiming for an improvement of production processes while remembering about future generations. None undertaking is successful if it is not consulted with all stakeholders, especially those who are engaged in a dialogue on better development based on the sustainability (e.g. civil society or public authorities). In the article, some statistical data about the sustainability was presented. The authors analysed 21 European countries, members of the European Union whose data about the sustainability, gathered by European Statistical Office, was complete. An extraction time is 2010 which was very crucial for the matter of the article. This year featured plenty of extreme events, from heavy snowstorms in the northeast part of the United States of America to summer heat waves in Asia and Europe what made 2010 as near warmest on record. Therefore a discussion about environmental protection is still valid. Additionally, the United Nations Climate Change Conference was held in Cancún, Mexico, from 29 November to 10 December 2010. The meeting was full of expectations and it produced some interesting and crucial outcomes.