Although the terms sustainable development and environmental stewardship are very often used interchangeably, this synonymous treatment is incorrect.
Sustainable development is a more inclusive concept than environmental stewardship.
A company that is committed to sustainable development must, by definition, consider a broader array of operational procedures than would be the case if environmental best practices were the sole objective. It is important to note that although many companies may not have a formal mandate to practice sustainable development, elements of economic and social commitment are frequently a part of business conduct. For example, relative to the examples presented in Table 2, many companies purchase goods and hire locally where feasible, and they may work to maintain the aesthetic quality of surroundings and make contributions to charity. These initiatives address the economic and societal dimensions of sustainable development, respectively. When sustainable development is adopted as a formal policy for a company, a review of current environmental, economic and social commitment should be conducted.