ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that sustainable development is about changes in resource exploitation, investments, technological development, and institutions. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development emerged from the vision and concerns of a small group of business leaders during the two years leading up to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Yet in defining the term ‘sustainable development’ it gave equal weight to both concerns: sustainable development seeks to meet the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability to meet those of the future. Looking at the social side of sustainable development is more important in countries with many social challenges. Rising public pressure in the 1990s around issues related to human rights and the impacts of globalization forced business to take a closer look at sustainable development, particularly its social dimension. Shell has recognized that community development is required for both the company and the region to develop in a sustainable manner.
