CSR Press Release

CHARLOTTE, Sep. 06 /CSRwire/ - Business leaders, at a forum in Charlotte, on September 5, 2012, promoted policies to move toward a sustainable economy. Hosted by the non-partisan American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) to coincide with the Democratic National Convention, the program, “Building a Sustainable Economy,” focused on responsible business, responsible capital investing, and new business models and measurement strategies that can lead to a sustainable economy.

The program also highlighted the significant transition that American market-based capitalism is undergoing, where new rules, new values, and new business coalitions are being forged to ensure future prosperity. Speakers, panelists, and moderators included:

• Congressman James Clyburn, D-SC
• Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the White House’s National Economic Council
• Roger Smith, President, American Income Life
• Kathrin Winkler, Chief Sustainability Officer, EMC Corporation
• Betsy Blaisdell, Senior Manager, Environmental Stewardship, Timberland
• Jeffrey Hollender, Co-Founder, Seventh Generation

“The key to our economic future lies in policies that encourage and enable businesses to innovate to be sustainable, not just financially, but socially and environmentally as well,” said Richard Eidlin, Director of Policy for ASBC. “We call on candidates of all political parties to ensure a sustainable future for the nation by committing to these goals.”

“A society is not sustainable when we don’t invest in prosperity that’s shared,” said Roger Smith, CEO of American Income Life, a company that provides life insurance to working families. “On the public policy side, the key word is investing. We are not going to cut our way to shared prosperity.”

“Our business is thriving by being sustainable, and we think all businesses can be sustainable,” said Kim Jordan, CEO of New Belgium Brewery, which is based in Colorado and building a brewery in Asheville, NC. “A big objection from many business policy makers is that sustainability would slow growth. But companies like ours are proving every day that sustainability can actually foster growth.”

“Sustainability is a way for American business to recreate the American Dream,” said David Levine, CEO of the American Sustainable Business Council. “We all know that our economy is suffering from lack of growth in jobs. By building on existing policies and creating new policies, our government working with business, can help unleash American innovation to transition to a sustainable economy.”

The program was part of a two-day policy forum, titled “Summit for a Sustainable Economy.” ASBC had scheduled a similar event at the Republican National Convention, but postponed it due to Hurricane Isaac.

About the ASBC:

The American Sustainable Business Council and its member organizations represent more than 150,000 businesses nationwide, and more than 300,000 entrepreneurs, executives, managers, and investors. The non-partisan council includes chambers of commerce, trade associations, and groups representing small business, investors, microenterprise, social enterprise, green and sustainable business, local living economy, and women and minority business leaders. ASBC informs and engages policy makers and the public about the need and opportunities for building a vibrant and sustainable economy. www.asbcouncil.org

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