Choices 13. Sustainable Business & Stakeholders

Stakeholder capitalism - for the benefit of all...A big statement? Yup, need big statements even for baby steps. 

"Business As Usual is currently unsustainable and a wasted opportunity"
How can good business be good for the business, the people and the planet?
What is stakeholder capitalism?

In previous episodes, we’ve talked about the environmental impacts caused by the design, production, use and disposal of products such as air fresheners, cosmetics, toiletries, medicines, washing detergents, and hygiene products.

We have explored the pathways from the release of harmful substances (such as pollution to air, water) through to impact on the natural environment and human health and wellbeing.

We have also talked about what we, as consumers and citizens, can do - in this episode we look at businesses, but individuals are not let off the hook, because we also discuss what stakeholder capitalism is, and is all about. 

What makes companies better at being more sustainable – commercially, but also socially and environmentally? Have companies been changing the way in which they conduct their business to reduce their negative environmental (and social?) impacts? More than that - are they beginning to think about their dependence on nature as an opportunity for innovation? 

To talk about this, we have with us Helena Wayth, the CEO of A Bird’s Eye View – a strategic business and marketing consultancy which she founded after years of working in different strategic and leadership positions across sectors and the world. She has written extensively on the changing role of Boards and on governance by private companies.  You can find links to her work and others in the references below.