White Paper on Business Sustainability

The World Economic Forum's white paper defines business sustainability as a multi-dimensional approach encompassing the environment, human rights, women's empowerment, and the rule of law. It argues that moving beyond short-term shareholder value to a stakeholder-oriented model reduces risk and enhances long-term profitability. The document highlights the corporate responsibility to manage entire supply chains, transition to net-zero emissions, redesign consumption models to stay within planetary boundaries, and combat corruption to preserve reputational capital.

• Business sustainability is defined as a multi-dimensional concept involving the environment, economic development, human rights, women’s empowerment, and the rule of law, building on the Brundtland Commission's 'three-legged stool' of people, planet, and profits.
• Corporations have a responsibility for the environmental and labor conditions across their entire supply chains, which is described as both a moral obligation and a long-term commercial interest.
• Addressing climate change requires an integrated approach of public-private partnerships and clear policy to scale clean technology markets, with many companies now aiming for zero emissions, zero waste, and zero discharge.
• Current production and consumption models are unsustainable; humanity consumes 50% more renewable natural resources than the Earth can regenerate, and if present models persist, more than four planets would be needed to support the emerging middle class.
• Women's economic participation is strongly correlated with GDP growth and competitiveness, and women are critical actors in promoting sustainable growth and clean environments, particularly in land management, agriculture, and food production.
• The rule of law provides the necessary foundation for commerce through secure property rights and transparent regulation; in areas where formal government capacity is lacking, applying rule of law principles to informal governance can provide a durable foundation for business.
• Corruption is estimated to cost more than 5% of global GDP and threatens business sustainability by eroding trust and reputational capital, which are as essential as financial capital for long-term health.

APA

World Economic Forum (2014). White Paper on Business Sustainability. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GAC/2014/WEF_GAC_HumanRights_BusinessSustainability_WhitePaper_2014.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. White Paper on Business Sustainability. 2014. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GAC/2014/WEF_GAC_HumanRights_BusinessSustainability_WhitePaper_2014.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=White Paper on Business Sustainability |date=2014 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GAC/2014/WEF_GAC_HumanRights_BusinessSustainability_WhitePaper_2014.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2014white, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{White Paper on Business Sustainability}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2014}, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GAC/2014/WEF_GAC_HumanRights_BusinessSustainability_WhitePaper_2014.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }