Sustainability – EPA defines it as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." It is one of the significant global issues facing business today, and, as such, was a prominent theme at the 2008 National Association of Environmental Managers (NAEM) EHS Management Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, in October.

While every company has a different vision of how sustainability fits into their business, balancing business operations with social, economic, and environmental responsibilities may determine business performance in the future. As sustainability is progressing from disjointed projects to a philosophy integrated at all levels of the business, companies are finding that sustainability is good for business, and it is having a positive impact on the bottom line.

Baxter International, a multinational healthcare products manufacturer, is a company that has focused on sustainability for many years. At the NAEM Forum Elaine Salewske, senior manager, Corporate Communications, offered the following reasons why Baxter International believes sustainability makes good business sense:

• It differentiates Baxter from other companies.
• It drives efficiency and creates competitive advantage.
• It helps identify and manage risk.
• It enhances the company’s reputation among various stakeholder groups.
• It supports the company’s mission of sustaining lives.

However, in order to fully take advantage of the benefits that a robust sustainability program will create, information must get to the appropriate stakeholders. As a result, more and more companies are producing annual sustainability reports to document their efforts as good corporate citizens and progress reducing their environmental footprint. Baxter International produced their first sustainability report in 1999. According to Salewske, in addition to providing stakeholders with an overview of company performance, the report also allows Baxter to establish a baseline and demonstrate progress over time, which ultimately helps the company advance its various sustainability programs.

Advancing sustainability leads to better business, and ultimately, a better world.