Sustainability
November 9, 2017
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SUSTAINABILIty
Quick Facts
Children involved in child labor globally, 2013
Pounds of waste produced by every American, annually
People worldwide without enough food to eat
Taken from the world’s poorest countries through corruption
Center commentary
Today, business leaders are developing sustainable business models to ensure the success of their companies and the societies in which they operate.
Business sustainability includes human rights, the environment, economic development, women’s empowerment, and the rule of law. The idea that sustainability has multiple dimensions emerged from the Brundtland Commission’s report, “Our Common Future,” which laid the foundation for the current understanding of sustainability as a three-legged stool involving people, the planet, and profits. Smart businesses advance sustainability by adopting practices such as transparent sourcing and distribution strategies that are informed by consultation with local communities, are environmentally sound, and at the same time enhance business growth.
In July 2014, seven Global Agenda Councils of the World Economic Forum published Business Sustainability: What it is and why it matters. It presents an integrated understanding of business sustainability and offers a foundation to guide future work in this area.
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“The business of business isn’t just about creating profits for shareholders — it’s also about improving the state of the world and driving stakeholder value.”
writing and advocacy
- “Why it pays for businesses to boost sustainability,” Michael Posner, World Economic Forum “Agenda” blog, July 30, 2014.
- “White Paper on Business Sustainability: What it is and why it matters,” World Economic Forum Global Agenda Councils, July 2014.