The Brundtland Commission defines sustainability as “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” How do you do it? Harnessing processes, not consuming resources. (click here). In Making Sustainability Work, 2008. ISBN 9781906093051, Marc Epstein describes how to do it; the corporate structures needed.
We’ll get there, if the Earth holds out.
- Ethics
- Governance
- Transparency
- Business Relationships
- Financial Return
- Community Involvement / Economic Development
- Values of Products and Services
- Employment Practices
- Protection of the Environment
Ethics – The company establishes, promotes, monitors, and maintains ethical standards and practices in dealings with all of the company stakeholders.
Governance – The company manages all its resources consientiously and effectively, recognizing the fiduciary duty of corporate boards and managers to focus on the interests of all company stakeholder.
Transparency – The company provides timely disclosure of information about its products, services, and activities
Business Relationships – The company engages in fair-trading practices with suppliers, distributors, and partners.
Financial Return – The company compensates providers of capital with a competitive return on investment and the protection of company assets.
Community Involvement / Economic Development – The company fosters a mutually beneficial relationship between the corporation and community in which it is sensitive to the culture, context, and the needs of the community.
Values of Products and Services
– the company respects the needs, desires, and rights of its customers and strives to provide the highest levels of product and service values.
Employment Practices – The company engages in human resource management practices that promote personal and professional employee development, diversity, and empowerment.
Protection of the Environment – The company strives to protect and restore the environment and promote sustainable development with products, processes, services and other activities.