Economic, social and legal frameworks often run counter to sustainability. The business community identified several priority areas. Sustainability requires a long-term view. Mutual trust among all stakeholders is essential for sustainable development. This requires transparency and commitments involving principles, report and review, and verification.
Sustainable development requires cooperation involving all sectors.
All business and industry, not just large multinationals, must adopt sustainable development principles. Government must provide the necessary framework for businesses to meet the needs of society and protect the environment. In particular, Governments should provide incentives for sustainability and remove disincentives. One representative asked about instances of efforts by companies to forestall action on climate change. In particular, he suggested that in acting to protect their short-term profits, the companies were challenging scientific findings regarding global warming.