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Sustainable Development

Positions on Public Policy Sustainable Development Since its inception in 1991, CGLI has supported sustainable development with the following mission statement: to promote the economic growth and vitality of the Great Lakes region in harmony with its human and natural resources (sustainable development).

CGLI is affiliated with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development that uses the following definition of sustainable development: forms of progress, which meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. (The WBCSD's orientation included the third world but keeping that grounded orientation is important while dealing with first world policy.)

There are three pillars of sustainability: economic growth, environmental protection and social equity. (Sometimes stated: economic growth, ecological balance and social progress.) Policy elements that need to be in place to support sustainable development include:

• Markets that are fair, competitive, open and international in scope and free of corruption. Access to information, access to decision-making and access to justice.
• Government policies that reflect that economic strength and environmental stability are mutually dependent rather than mutually exclusive.
• Resources used fairly and efficiently to order to meet basic human needs globally.
• Elimination or reduction of poverty by enabling access to effective markets and spreading consumer purchasing power. Poverty and population pressures make sustainability difficult to achieve.
• Adequate valuation of natural resources.

Expectations of industry policy and actions to support sustainable development:

• Promote a management strategy that combines environmental and economic performance. The linking of environmental and financial performance is "eco-efficiency". Eco-efficiency enables more efficient production processes and the creation of better products and services while reducing resource use, waste and pollution.
• Demonstrate corporate social responsibility defined by the WBCSD as the commitment of business to contribute to sustainable economic development working with employees, their families, the local community and society at large to improve their quality of life. * Engage in a healthy production of wealth in communities.
• Be accountable.
• Engage in multi-stakeholder dialogue and progress from dialogue to developing practical partnerships.
• Be innovative in more open processes.
• Inform consumers about the social and environmental effects of their choices based on credible information and science. Companies also need to communicate the value and principles on which they base their operations.

Approved 5-30-03