ABSTRACT
Sustainable development has been on the international environmental agenda for over two decades. One of the most commonly cited definitions of sustainable development comes from the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED 1987: 43):
This remains a working definition, although the significant academic articles that have subsequently attempted to refine this definition should not be overlooked (Lélé 1991). The role of the private sector and the business community in sustainable development, as well as the concept itself, have evolved during progressive global conferences, in the context of increasing globalisation and a heightened focus on trade and development over pure environmental issues.
