Environmental sustainability indicators are studied with a particular emphasis on the relation with measures of happiness in nations. Environmental sustainability indicators measure success in transition toward a sustainable economic system where development must also improve quality of environment and quality of life. Traditional indicators of sustainable development are focused on economic, environmental and social measures of development. A link between sustainable development indicators and quality of life is often difficult to see for the individual. Here a new strategy is presented, which aims to explore relation between sustainability and happiness in order to promote sustainable development. An important question whether sustainable development in the interest of future generations requires a happiness sacrifice from the part of the current generation is being addressed, and apparently no sacrifices in happiness are required, as it is possible to design strategies, which improve happiness and sustainability simultaneously. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.