Sustainability as a Business Case, Vedrana Miljak, econsense, 15th October 2010, Brussels Sustainability as a Business Case

Sustainability as a Business Case, Vedrana Miljak, econsense, 15th October 2010, Brussels Founded in 2000 as an initiative of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) Association of 28 leading globally- active companies in Germany Corporate platform for dialogue with politics, science, media and societal groups on the overall concept of sustainable development and corporate responsibility Forum for mutual exchange of competences, aimed at achieving shared goals and identifiying best practices econsense at a Glance

Sustainability as a Business Case, Vedrana Miljak, econsense, 15th October 2010, Brussels Our Topics: Climate change Making sustainability measurable Responsibility along the supply chain Macroeconomic sustainability indicators Biodiversity Business and Human Rights Demographic Change

Sustainability as a Business Case, Vedrana Miljak, econsense, 15th October 2010, Brussels What is sustainable? Economy Ecology Society

Sustainability as a Business Case, Vedrana Miljak, econsense, 15th October 2010, Brussels Sustainability is… …achieving a balance between economical, ecological and social goals. …an integral part of the core business of a company. …a process of communication, searching and learning permanent development process …a strategic competitiveness factor. sustainability as a business case How do we define Sustainability within a company?

Sustainability as a Business Case, Vedrana Miljak, econsense, 15th October 2010, Brussels Sustainability as a Business Case The customer - corporate and private - expects sustainability (the license to operate). Sustainability can raise efficiency within the company and thus decrease costs. Sustainable processes and products can foster innovation. Competitiveness gain through first-mover advantages Image and reputation gains through sustainable processes and products. Risk management and risk minimizing Financial performance, shareholder value Acquiring, binding and motivation of employees in a shrinking and ageing population

Sustainability as a Business Case, Vedrana Miljak, econsense, 15th October 2010, Brussels Commitment within the Top-Management Sustainability in the day-to-day work: How to operationalise? How to communicate? Political and societal framework Problem to measure the success of sustainability measures Sustainability along the Supply Chain Tasks, Conditions and Challenges for Success:

Sustainability as a Business Case, Vedrana Miljak, econsense, 15th October 2010, Brussels Sustainability along the Supply Chain The customer as well as the public expect sustainability along the whole supply chain The proof of sustainability however can lead to a lot of red tape Different standards have to be fulfilled (ILO, GRI, Global Compact etc.) The ultimate aim should be to decrease the amount of red tape in the future. Industry is already working on solutions. In order to be effective these instruments have to come from the industry itself (bottom up approach).

Sustainability as a Business Case, Vedrana Miljak, econsense, 15th October 2010, Brussels You can find more information about econsense under Thank you for your attention! Contact details: Vedrana Miljak,