This document discusses sustainability and provides examples of how companies have benefited from sustainable practices. It begins by noting there is no single definition of sustainability and that companies incorporate environmental, economic, social and governmental issues to varying degrees. The document summarizes the Brundtland Commission's widely cited definition of sustainability as meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs. It outlines common aspects of sustainability like people, process and environment. The document gives examples of cost savings, efficiency improvements, increased brand awareness and other benefits that companies in various industries have achieved through sustainable practices. It concludes by asking companies to define sustainability for themselves and consider how to implement it competitively and get started.

1. A Paradigm Shift to
Sustainability

2. What is Sustainability
• There is no single established
definition
• Some companies focus entirely
on environmental issues
• Others include economic,
stakeholder, and governmental
issues
• Companies differ in their definition
• Sustainability is here to stay

3. Defining Sustainability
• “Meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
– Brundtland Commission (1987 – World Commission on Environment and Development, WCED)

4. The Commonalities of
Sustainability
Sustainability creates a competitive business advantage
while positively impacting the environment.

5. The Single Components
include …
• People
• Process
• Environment

7. Business Advantages
• 72% reduction in cost through
improved material efficiency
• 58% are manufacturing or sources
domestically/locally
• 53% increase in brand awareness
• 52% are designing/offering
sustainable product/services
• 48% more energy efficient
products/services

8. Business Advantages
• 46% providing frontline employees
with business training to broaden
awareness
• 22% using sustainability as a market
differentiator
– 2009 Survey conducted by Boston College Center of
Corporate Citizenship and the Hitachi Foundation

9. The Results are Real
• Dow Chemical has generated significant
savings by reusing treated waste water
in its manufacturing plants
• In 2009 Walmart surpassed it’s goal of
25% greater fleet efficiencies
• McDonalds – 98% of fish is sourced
from fisheries with favorable
sustainability ratings

10. The Results are Real
• GE Industrial saved $12.8 Million
by upgrading lighting to high
density lights
• 50% of Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s fleet
gets more than 28 miles per gallon
and they have nearly 10x the fuel
efficient cars than their closest
competitor

11. A Community Hostpital

12. A Small Manufacturing Company

13. A Family Owned Business

14. A Medium Sized Family Owned
Maunfacturing Company

15. A Mid-sized Manufacturing Company

16. The Results are Real
• University of Arizona’s ROSE Program
• Berea College in Kentucky developed the first ecological
village which consumes 75 percent less energy and water
compared to conventional housing
• DuPont saved $3 Billion by slashing greenhouse gases and
associated energy

17. Defining Sustainability
• What does sustainability really mean
to your company?
• How can it become a competitive
advantage for your company?
• Where and how do you get started?

21. Next Steps: