Sustainability is an internationally accepted vision and has long been an important part of the medium- and long-term strategies of successful businesses. Sustainable business implies a corporate policy which takes into account business success, environmental impacts and relations to the surrounding community, and puts these on a balanced footing in the long-term. Corporate environmental and social policy is not an end in itself, but encourages success in business. Innovative, well-managed businesses use environmental management systems as a way to make efficiency gains. At the same time, the growing awareness of social and ecological responsibility on consumer and financial markets motivates businesses to work for greater sustainability. In many branches credible evidence of socially and environmentally responsible business practices is thus a precondition for joining the international supply chain.

The further development and practical realization of sustainable business, however, is still a major challenge to industrialized nations, developing countries and newly industrializing economies (NIEs) alike. To meet this challenge, entrepreneurial reflections and action are needed. We promote the international dialogue and an exchange of experience on sustainability in business as well as the development and use of concrete instruments for sustainable business by strengthening the initiatives of industry, building up local training and consultancy capacities and providing back-up services for businesses introducing environmental and social management systems. As an international knowledge broker, we cooperate closely with German industry and implement numerous Public Private Partnerships (PPP) with private businesses.