The Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI)
Exploring Pathways to a Sustainable Enterprise: SD Planner™

A Sustainable Development Planning Tool

Published: June 2002

Definitions of Sustainable Development (SD):

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
- World Commission on Environment & Development

Ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come.

- UK Government

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Challenges to Continued Growth
Environmental, health, and socio-economic concerns and emerging trends associated with SD pose challenges to continued growth.
Environmental Concerns • Resource depletion Socio-Economic Concerns • Extreme poverty • Lack of primary education • Consumption of resources from population growth • Climate change • Degradation of air, water, land Human Health Concerns • Lack of potable water • Unsanitary urban conditions • Disease

Societal Trends • Corporate social responsibility expectations • Pressure for transparency • Use of market pressure

Continued Growth

Public Policy Trends • Energy taxes

Technology Trends • Telecommunications and internet allow rapid global communication about company activities

• Voluntary initiatives • Increasing regulation in developing countries

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Business Response to SD
The business community has begun to appreciate that addressing SD is an important element of business strategy. • Recognition of the link between SD and business value Bottom line value: reduced operating cost and increased resource efficiency Top line value: new market opportunities, leading to increased revenues and market share growth • Understanding that long-term success involves managing the “triple bottom line” Economic prosperity Social-well being Environmental protection

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Business Response to SD
Heads of major corporations have recognized the importance of SD to their businesses.
The challenge of