In an era of economic disruptions, polarisation, complexity and increasingly intricate sustainability debates, the core business case for sustainability remains clear and enduring: business cannot thrive on a planet in peril.
The human, economic and commercial consequences unfolding all around us show that we are collectively failing to address the sustainability challenge.
And business – which can play a critical role in solving this problem by deploying its talent, assets, reach and capacity for innovation – continues to be economically incentivised to act in ways that damage the planet and exacerbate social challenges.
A step change is needed, and urgently.
Survival of the Fittest: From ESG to Competitive Sustainability
It is time to move on from trying to put ‘sustainability thinking’ into business and instead start putting ‘business thinking’ into sustainability. In this report, CISL Interim CEO Lindsay Hooper and CISL Fellow Paul Gilding argue for the need to shift to an agenda of competitive sustainability.
Hear from Lindsay
Business Transformation Framework and Diagnostic: From Why to How
CISL's Business Transformation Framework enables you to to assess your organisation’s progress towards a sustainable purpose led organisation and inform your goals and transformation journey, informed by leading practice across our business network and Leading with a sustainable purpose report.
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How we work with businesses
We recognise that no business can become sustainable and resilient for the long term if the markets and context in which it operates remain unsustainable. Through our foresight, education, convening and innovation activities we enable leaders to:
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Understand the key sustainability challenges they are facing and pathways to address them
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Develop new strategies, innovative solutions and business models that are both sustainable and commercially competitive
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Build the leadership, credibility and organisational capability to lead change at scale across markets and value chains
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Collaborate with leaders across business and government to build support for the necessary systems changes and develop policy to facilitate the required transition to commercially viable pathways
For additional information:
Hear from CISL clients leading work towards sustainable business models, and building these strategies into commercial success metrics
Discover how your organisation can lead in the transition to long-term success while building value in the short term. Find out how.
Additional resources
Customised programme case studies
For over 30 years, leading organisations have used CISL’s customised leadership and strategy programmes to improve organisational performance. Read more about our clients' success stories.
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CISL Conversations
Hear from global professionals tackling real-world sustainability challenges across business, policy and finance. CISL Conversations brings you thought leadership from across industries, sectors, and continents.
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Who we work with and why
Our multi-stakeholder approach engages influential individuals alongside businesses, governments, financial institutions and civil society representatives, focusing on their shared potential to rewire economic, social and environmental systems.
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2024 Impact Report
CISL’s priority impact areas for systemic transformation – Future Place, Future Economy and Future Lives - connect our strategic expertise and global networks. Together, they pave the way for bold action and regenerative leadership for people, nature and climate.
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