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The sustainability concept has been applied in a number of fields, which has generated different definitions of sustainability. The following paper has critically developed a conceptual framework for defining sustainability based on thermodynamics properties, which can be applied to complex adaptive systems (CAS). First, there is a description of the general perception of sustainable development and the conceptual limitations to evaluate the interaction between a system and its surroundings. Then, the CAS's properties and the impact of resource restriction were critically evaluated and irreversibility on the CAS's conditions was defined. This brought a broad understanding about the effects on CAS, based on the first and second law of thermodynamics. From this analysis, the exergetic aspect emerged as a fundamental property for defining sustainability in the CAS's context. This shows opportunities for developing studies based on thermodynamics properties in multiple systems, such as economic, social and ecological fields, which would require an interdisciplinary approach to generate an integral framework on the application of sustainability definition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]