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

American Sustainable Business Council

American Sustainable Business Council

The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) is a national coalition of mission-driven businesses, social enterprises and sustainable business networks working to create a vibrant, just and sustainable economy. What unites us is a deep belief that we must move to a new economy that is grounded in principles of sustainability and equity.

The Council represents over 55,000 businesses and enterprises and more than 150,000 executives, owners, investors, entrepreneurs and business professionals. It is comprised of partners, which are organizations that represent businesses and social enterprises as well as entrepreneurs, executives, owners and investors committed to building a vibrant, just, and sustainable economy.

ASBC promotes policy change by educating and informing the business community, policy makers and the media about the business case for change, and by engaging the leaders of businesses and enterprises in building broad support for the policies America needs. We work on a range of policy areas, including: financial reform, health care, chemicals policy, climate change and business taxes.

We believe that the policies that will lead us to a sustainable and just economy are also good for business and good for America. Making the right commitments and investments will produce more and better jobs, build strength in key technologies, and make the U.S. more independent and secure.

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