1. Sustainability in Products, Processes and in the Business Model:
Advances by Leading Organizations
By William R. Blackburn
2010 Ethos International Conference
São Paulo, Brazil
May 13, 2010

2. How Leading Organizations are Moving Towards Sustainability
Strategic
Triple Bottom Line
Greater stakeholder influence
Stakeholder engagement
Global
Growing consensus on scope

3. General Definition of Sustainability “The 2 Rs”
Respect: for people and other living things
Resources: the wise use of economic and natural resources
—for the purpose of sustaining and promoting the long-term well-being of the organization and society (including the environment).

4. Defining Sustainability Obligations
and Issues for Action
Going beyond Brundtland Comm, TBL and 2Rs
Implied expectations of global stakeholders from Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and sustainability reports
Express expectations of global stakeholders
2008 Conference Board study
Voluntary standards (UNGC, ISO 26000, Ethos Indicators, STARS, Star Community Index, industry standards, etc.)
Mandatory integrated reporting standards (UK, S. Africa, France, Sweden, Denmark, et al.)
Identified expectations of stakeholders from direct engagements

5. Defining Sustainability Obligations
and Issues for Action—Common Topics*
Governance (oversight structures for legal and ethical compliance and risk control)
Human Rights (civil rights, nondiscrimination, etc.)
Labor Practices (wages, working conditions, etc.)
Environmental Issues (pollution, energy and resource conservation, biodiversity, etc.)
Fair Operating Practices (anti-corruption, fair competition, etc.)
Consumer Issues (fair marketing, consumer safety, etc.)
Community Involvement & Development
Economic Viability of the Organization
*Based on the GRI reporting guidelines and ISO SR standard

6. Sustainable Products & Services
Improve the efficient use of natural and economic resources along the product life cycle
Provide greater respect and accommodation for the needs of people and other living things along the product life cycle

7. The Efficient Enablers The Pathway The Evaluators
The Drivers
The Efficient Enablers
The Pathway
The Evaluators
A champion/leader with mgmt support
Approach for selling the organization on sustainability
Accountability mechanisms
Organizational structure
Deployment and integration
Vision and policy
Operating system standards
Strategic planning for aligned priorities
Indicators and goals
Measuring and reporting progress
Stakeholder engagement and feedback
© 2010 William Blackburn Consulting, Ltd.

8. The Sustainability Handbook—
The Complete Management Guide
to Achieving Social, Economic and
Environmental Responsibility
(See )