CFE 031201 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

36 COMMON GROUND VOL, 12 NO. 2 JANUARY-MARCH 2O01 ti. t•1 ' . Lt �. L .. t e�„ F . r "s L . 4. . Y':! ''r 2 r` f':+i ,: ••"li7T%:i„a 7i �L`•, "� • `1- �• tk D , _ © t3 I a , - i ;,• f t , Sustaining Corporations have entered a decade that Leading global companies compete will radically alter industry ' s relationship fiercely for talent , Corporations possessing Industry with the environment . Not since the Indus - strong values will attract and retain the best trial revolution in the late 1800s have such people . Novo Nordisk ( the Danish pharma . opportunities for innovation existed . Success ceutical company ) , well known for its strong will balance economic, environmental and corporate values, has a staff turnover rate of social performance . 5 % , half the industry average . Consider these developments : Becoming one of Fortune ' s most ad- • 1 ,000 CEOs at the World Economic Forum mired companies requires innovation . in Davos, Switzerland, chose global climate Thinking deeply about sustainability ex- change as the number one business—not en- pands how comporations perceive future vironmental—issue facing industry. risks and opportunities . Such companies lay • BP, DuPont, Interface , Monsanto, Motorola, the groundwork—through investments in Procter and Gamble and Royal Dutch / Shell technologies, markets and efficiencies—for have endorsed sustainable development. . increased rewards from effective innovation . • Some leading corporations recognize the Companies that better serve the global oil era is ending, as water perhaps be population with their products and services the oil of the new century . will emerge as winners . IN • BP Amoco and Royal Dutch / Shell created Tomorrow ' s business leaders look be- carbon- trading programs to cut emissions . yond enhancing returns from existing prac- is published quarterly as a These actions follow intense discussions tices . They drive companies toward radical service to the conservation over the principles of sustainable develop - sources of innovation and value creation community by ment . Critical elements include understand- that address three fundamental drivers of The Conservation Fund ing the global environmental and social the new world economy : Patrick F. Noonan trends that shape industrial society; asking A dramatic increase i Chat n public scrutiny that irman John F. Turner tough questions , e . g. , " Is our business sus- will spark new partnerships , the single most President tainable ? " and then having the courage to important driver for companies to address; Mike McQueen act . A successful strategy must provide a • A rapidly growing population; and Editor lon -term vision for innovation and growth g g The appropriate pricing of resources that Jack Lynn , Editorial Consultant as it meets today s challenges . now are regarded as cheap or free . Meg West The days have ended when corporate Now is the time to decouple wealth cre- Art Director leaders talked strictly with their peers in ation from one -way, one - time consumption For address corrections and industry associations . Engaging with key of natural resources . Doing so will enable information, contact: stakeholders and making company actions companies to sustain innovation, growth April Berry more public allow corporations to learn more and prosperity well into the 21st century . Circulation Manager about their customers , markets and competi- —Gilbert S . Hedstrom The Conservation Fund 1800 N. Kent St., Suite 1120 tors . Rio Tinto, the Australian mining con- The aitthor is a vice president of Arthttr D . Arlington, VA 22209 cern, has established a commitment to com- Little, Inc . This editorial was adapted from an 703 / 525-6300 munity investments that blends long-term article in Prism (www . arthurdlittle . com) , the COMMON GROUND routinely sustainability with short-term operations . company 's manasPment journal . grants permission for reprints. Address editorial correspondence and reprint queries to : COMMON GROUND 940 Stillwater Lane Earlysville, VA 22936 804 / 9731,,7324 Is 4 IN tIII 'tfir ON coground®aol. com \ , { \� COMMON GROUND is available ; on the World Wide Web at It 1 , �, t.� � http: // www, conservationfund.org '1�/�1 � �� ^` �'� �.`� }� Printed on recycled paper, k�r~' r ~ f' o Imp, 1 ! U ` 1 z Wi IN o • a0 "I ' ve always felt that my role as a beaver transcends ativ political chatiges at E.P.A . " Q O �