WBCSD appoints key Australian partner

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) announced on Wednesday that a leading Australian think tank has become a key partner to drive national business leadership on sustainable development.

Sustainable Business Australia (SBA) has been appointed as the Australian Global Network at WBCSD at a time of increasing national uncertainty regarding Australia’s policies for sustainable economic development and environmental stewardship.

Peter Bakker, President and CEO at WBCSD (pictured right), said: “Australia has been a pioneer on climate action, smart energy technologies, and the development of biodiversity markets. Up until recently, Australia made globally recognised progress pursuing energy and resource efficiency across its economy. It is important that Australian business continues to contribute to global momentum on climate mitigation, water and resource management, waste reduction, and the ongoing development of corporate reporting and valuation.

Mr Bakker continued by saying: “SBA is a solutions-focused business association. Actionable solutions including technologies are generally conceived, developed, deployed and brought to market by business. International collaboration between businesses is the way forward, and we are delighted to welcome SBA as our Australian Global Network partner,”

Andrew Petersen, CEO at SBA, said: “The Australian business community has both the experience and the need to be involved in international sustainable development issues. SBA is committed to providing business leadership for sustainable development in Australia and we will work with WBCSD’s business community by involving forward-thinking Australian companies in WBCSD’s international programs and cross-sector projects.

“The partnership will be adding direct value to members by bringing the latest thinking and best practices on economic, environmental and social management as well as gaining access to key international players and platforms,” Petersen continued.

WBCSD’s work programme is based on the Action2020 platform. This builds on the organisations Vision 2050, which identified the necessary pathways to create a world in 2050 where 9 billion people can live sustainably.

During 2013 WBCSD and its partners identified science-based actionable priority areas where business needs to focus its action and deliver measurable impact at scale around these key challenges.

Working with its members, WBCSD is developing business solutions that will contribute to the achievement of societal goals that must be reached in order to have a shot at achieving Vision2050.

“The participation of Australia’s leading businesses in Action2020 is key to the inclusion of substantive southern hemisphere business perspectives and solutions that are needed in the development of globally appropriate action towards Vision 2050’s goals,” said Peter Bakker.