 The Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, 2008 Defining Sustainability, the Triple Bottom Line, and the GRI Paulette Stenzel Professor of International Business Law Eli Broad College of Business Michigan State University Presented: March 20, 2009 MALSB - Chicago, Ill. Prepared by Professor Stenzel and Teaching Assistant Lindsay Allen

 The Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, 2008 Presentation Outline 1.Defining Sustainability, Triple Bottom Line, and the GRI 2.AACSB’s developing accreditation standards regarding sustainability 3.Sustainability topis in specific legal studies courses a)Professor Carol Miller, Missouri State University b)Professor Paulette Stenzel, Michgian State University c)Professor Linda Reid, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater d)Professor Janet Hale, Texas State University, San Marco 4.Overall perspectives: sustainability on campus and opportunities for legal studies curricula in interdisciplinary sustainability programs a)Professor Janet Hale b)Professor Paulette Stenzel c)Professor Linda Reid d)Professor Carol Miller 5.Questions and Answers

3  The Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, 2008 What is Sustainability? Sustainability refers to the ability of society to “[meet] the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Source: Our Common Future – UN Brundtland Report

4  The Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, 2008 What is the Triple Bottom Line? A business perspective that looks at…  People, Planet, and Profit  Economy, [Social] Equity, Environment (Three E’s) Corporate 3BL reporting is monitored by Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Resource: The Triple Bottom Line by Savitz & Weber

5  The Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, 2008 Environmental Protection is Everyone’s Concern Environmental protection- topic that breaks political boundaries  President Nixon founded the EPA  The Clinton administration was known as one of the strongest supporters of environmental protection  Both Obama and McCain supported greenhouse gas emission caps in the 2008 election Sustainability is a sound business practice  Interface Carpets CaseInterface Carpets Case

6  The Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, 2008 Global Business Compact – Promotes MDGs Goal: Responsible partnership with the UN Means: Work to implement MDGs Supports UN Declarations on: Human Rights, Labor, Environment, Anti-Corruption See UN.org/millenniumgoals for details

7  The Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, 2008 The Millennium Development Goals 1.Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 2.Achieve universal primary education 3.Promote gender equality and empower women 4.Reduce child mortality 5.Improve maternal health 6.Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases 7.Ensure environmental sustainability 8.Develop a global partnership for development