A Paradigm Shift to

Sustainability

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

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)

The Commonalities of

Sustainability

Sustainability creates a competitive business advantage

while positively impacting the environment.

The Single Components

include … • People

• Process

• Environment

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

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

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

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

A Community Hostpital

A Small Manufacturing Company

A Family Owned Business

A Medium Sized Family Owned

Maunfacturing Company

A Mid-sized Manufacturing Company

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

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?

Next Steps: