Sustainability: Business And Investment Implications

This book provides an overview of the business and investment implications of sustainability. Over the past few decades, the world has witnessed significant improvements in economic development that meet a wide range of human needs. Ensuring that such development takes place in a "sustainable" way is the central focus of many recent social movements and industrial policies.

These trends have created a business environment and investment climate in which there is strong consumer demand for sustainable solutions. And they have led to trillions of dollars in both private investments and public subsidies to suppliers of solutions that address some of the most pressing negative consequences of unbridled economic development: climate change caused by fossil fuel consumption, loss of access to water, uncontrolled population growth, depletion of both non-renewable resources and renewable resources, pollution, loss of biodiversity, etc. Not surprisingly, many private businesses and investors are attracted to what they perceive as a potentially lucrative and high-impact area of the economy, while others see their contributions to sustainability as a social and corporate responsibility.

Economic development with sustainable solutions is, however, a complex field. Both businesses and investors that venture into this area will immediately face a myriad of challenges, ranging from dealing with the pressure of conflicting ideologies, activists, social networks, powerful industry lobbies on both sides of the ideological divide, and market distortions from ever-increasing government industrial policies, regulations, and subsidies.

This book provides insights for businesses and investors on how to navigate this complex landscape. It describes both opportunities and risks of engagement in the field of sustainability. It is intended, as a primer for university business schools and schools of public policy and administration where there has been recent increased interest in the topic but a dearth of comprehensive synthesis. The book is also intended for a broader readership, including thought leaders, policymakers, regulators, technical specialists, the press, social media, and the public at large.