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Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

In July 2015, CISL launched Rewiring the Economy, its ten-year plan to lay the foundations for a sustainable economy. The plan sets out ten interconnected tasks requiring collaborative action from the three key economic actors: business, government and finance. The success of the plan can be stated very simply: economic alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Business tasks

 

 

Rewiring the Economy identified four strategic tasks that business needed to address in order to create long-term value: 7. Align organisational purpose, strategy and business models; 8: Set evidence-based targets, measure and be transparent; 9: Embed sustainability in practices and decisions; 10: Engage, collaborate and advocate change. While some businesses are already making progress on these, we know that in many instances key questions need to be answered in order to unlock scalable, meaningful progress.

 

Rewiring the Economy tasks for business


7: Align organisational purpose, strategy and business models

Within a commercial context businesses can explicitly set out to improve people’s lives whilst operating within the natural boundaries set by the planet.

8: Set evidence-based targets, measure and be transparent

Businesses can contribute to a sustainable future by setting bold evidence-based targets, measuring the right things and reporting progress.

9: Embed sustainability in practices and decisions

Businesses can embed new ways of thinking in their operational practices and decision making.

Businesses can use their influence to engage communities, and build public and government appetite for sustainable business.