Abstract
Sustainability development rather than sustainable development is a must in avoiding a catastrophe of ever growing human activities on the earth. Concept of Zero Emissions focuses on development of full utilization systems of natural resources by learning from natural ecosystem structures. This enables minimization of the environmental load from industrial and domestic activities and at the same time increases human livelihood by creating new jobs and revenues through formulation of integrated material utilization systems.
A research project on application of Zero Emission concept to the development of a small island, Yakushima, is briefly introduced. A special emphasis will be laid on an importance of a paradigm shift from the time of economic growth in order that the sustainable human activities may be achieved.
