Engaging in the Policy Process for Sustainability
23/9/2009
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Global management consultancy Arthur D. Little has produced a new report, 'Optimizing Involvement in the Development of Sustainability Related Public Policy'.

Carbon budgets, access to water and supply chain labour conditions are all fast moving areas of public policy development, and according to the report, are areas where businesses can create value by contributing to the public debate. Arthur D. Little's new report explains that as new channels open up for businesses to influence policy - locally, nationally, and globally - corporate engagement in the policy development process is no simple task.

Illustrated using case studies from clothing retailer Levi Strauss & Co. and health and hygiene company Kimberly-Clark, the report likens sound corporate engagement to a balancing act: businesses need an approach that captures the opportunities associated with public policy engagement but also protects company integrity by working collaboratively and transparently.

'Sustainability is now an inarguable element of any sound corporate strategy, and taking a proactive and strategic approach to engaging in the global policy debate will reduce corporate risk and generate new business opportunities,' reflects David Lyon, a Principal in Arthur D. Little's Global Sustainability & Risk Practice. 'Companies are increasingly developing sophisticated approaches to policy engagement with a variety of societal stakeholders, but businesses must beware that for such activities to be successful, they must maintain the company's integrity while also maximizing business value.'

The report is now available for download at
http://www.adl.com/publicpolicy