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To Sustain to keep from failing or sinking over prolonged periods; to endure without giving way; keep going continuously' Def: Business practical, systematic; relating to work, management, trade, commerce; buying and selling' On a straightforward level, a Sustainable Business is one that is able to withstand the bumps and pit-holes of everyday life and therefore continue into the future. Therefore any measure that supports a Sustainable Business is essentially promoting good management practices. However, in addition to this, the concept of Sustainable Business is usually referred to within the context of Sustainable Development. Sustainable development means different things to different people, but the most frequently quoted definition is from the report Our Common Future (also known as the Brundtland Report) 'Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' While there are strong ethical reasons for pursuing the sustainable development route, there is also a strong business case to be made.

More information on energy publicaitons - Renewable energy policy - Department of Energy and Climate Change

A sustainable business is likely to be more competitive, more resilient to shocks, more responsive to change and more likely to attract and hold customers and the best employees. It can also be more at ease with regulators, banks, insurers and financial markets. Companies that care about the environment are more likely to be successful in the long-term than those who don t. Sustainable business policies will be profitable but companies are led by, and serve, people with vision and values. In the long-term, companies that do not reflect these visions and values will not survive. Therefore, a sustainable business is one that:

Protects and enhances the environment through responsible use of materials, efficient use of energy and minimisation of waste; Invests in its workforce and local community and builds trust through transparency and credibility; Contributes towards a vibrant local economy; Meets needs locally wherever possible; and, Considers the environmental, social and economic impacts of all its decisions. Enabling local business to appreciate the opportunities that Sustainable Businesses practices bring has both political and economic support.

For example, the East of England Regional Economic Strategy states that, The quality of (the) natural and built environment will play an important part in the region s economic success. All business sectors will realise the potential of environmental technologies, waste minimisation and recycling . While the Regional Development Plan states that, Sustainable development practices are encouraged recognising the mutual dependence of the economic, social and environmental consequences of investing in employment and skills. Greater awareness and understanding of what this means in practice is required.

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