Political agenda (for national and supra national governmental organisations) – Article 13 identified that the effective delivery of public/private partnerships and the delivery of millennium goals will require a key role for business.
Conflict and post conflict situations – Business interactions with regard to conflict and post conflict countries are coming under ever greater scrutiny. Organisations with supply chain operations, or direct operation within conflict and post conflict countries, as well as defence and arms manufacturers will need to take ever greater care with regard to governance of supply chains.
Poverty and inequality - With evidence pointing towards relative increases in poverty rather than reduction, business will play a vital role in offering employment opportunities, providing food, healthcare shelter and education, as well as financing would be entrepreneurs in communities through micro credit systems and loans.
Health – Despite technological advances in disease treatment, health inequalities still exist on a large scale. Businesses will increasingly become engaged in improving access and infrastructure to health services, as well as developing, and distributing drugs to prevent disease. Finally within an employer context, provision of adequate health and safety programmes which take into account the above will become an important role of business.
Demographics – Shifting demographics in western populations from predominant middle aged to predominant elderly and or retired, and population explosions in developing countries, impart dual responsibilities upon business, from pension provision at the one end, to family planning and education at the other.
The internet – digital divide and access issues set in the context of the rapid growth of computer technologies is driving business to examine its role with this regard, especially in relation to education and access to these technologies to alleviate information divides between rich and poor.
Governance (corruption and crime) – In the wake of high profile corporate governance scandals, as well as corruption within government and political circles, transparency and accountability will become key issues for business to deal with, as well as promoting law reform, particularly in relation to unfair and unjust laws.
Individualism versus collectivism – The reduction of society to the individualist level is requiring that businesses respond by increasing involvement and participation of local communities, as well as staff within those communities. This may be achieved through local level partnership development, as well as restructuring the company board to reflect global thought with local action.
Climate Change – Recognised as a major issue for several years, climate change will require that business continue striving for a carbon neutral economy, through improved energy efficiency and waste reduction.
Water scarcity – An issue of massive magnitude for both developing and developed world, the preservation and recycling of water sources will require business to take greater care of this part of the natural environment, which ultimately extends itself to the protection of the natural environment at large, as part of one large system.
Waste – Eco-friendly production and disposal will require a greater emphasis on recycling and production processes which ensure lower levels of waste and energy usage.
GMO’s – Although this debate is very much still alive, a sustained effort from all business engaged either directly or through supply chain linkages to continue research and communicate these findings to the key stakeholders, particularly relating to alternatives to GMO’s.
Responsible consumerism – Consumers are beginning to recognise and reward those organisations who take sustainability seriously. However, a concerted effort is required by all businesses to review their activities for sources of unsustainable production, as well as improving the quality of information provided with regard to product labelling and communication of sustainable practices.
