ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how businesses have taken on board the challenge of sustainable development in recent years. It outlines some of the different approaches that are being adopted including design for sustainability. In general businesses are now taking a much more proactive and positive view of sustainable development. Corporate social responsibility and sustainability reporting is now widespread across all industrial sectors and many companies that are keen to emphasise their work in this area. The stock market has also begun to take note with the FTSE 4 Good Index in the United Kingdom and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index in the United States having an influential role within the markets. The chapter outlines those businesses which design and manufacture product have responsibilities towards sustainable development and can use design for sustainability to make significant improvements. It finally highlights some of the main pieces of legislation that are driving design for sustainability.
