ABSTRACT
When it comes to business applications, the term “sustainability” is often used as a broad umbrella that encompasses a host of social and environmental impact issues — both external and internal to the company. Key issues that are sometimes associated with sustainability include: Cleantech, Climate change strategy, Community and economic development, Community capitalism, Corporate citizenship, Corporate governance and accountability, Corporate social responsibility, Corporate–nonprofit partnerships, Design for Environment, Eco-efficiency/eco-effectiveness, Emerging markets or “Base of the Pyramid” business strategies, Energy efficiency/strategic energy management, Environmental footprint, environment, social, and governance analysis, Fair trade, Green building, Green business, Microfinance, Natural capitalism and Product stewardship/life-cycle analysis. The ideas behind corporate sustainability have been around for some time, but the practice really began gaining ground in the 1990s. There are several excellent books on the topic of corporate sustainability and what it means both in theory and in practice for companies.
