Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present world without compromising the future. Society expects sustainability and for managers to use resources responsibly; protect the environment; minimize the amount we consume; recycle and reuse these goods; and eliminate toxins that harm people. Thus, including sustainability in managing the business is being socially responsible.

Responsible leaders assess how to design products that will take advantage of the current environmental situation and how well a company’s products perform with renewable resources. Corporations are accepting the environment as an important external stakeholder. The use of renewable energy is on the increase, and sustainability standards are becoming the standard.

Corporate sustainability requires managers to simultaneously address widely diverging but interconnected concern for the natural environment, social welfare, and economic prosperity of the firm. Sustainability issues influence activities in the business world as organizations work to reduce their environmental impacts. Some social entrepreneurs are very interested in environmental issues and are starting businesses to help large companies become more sustainable.

Sustainability management is important, and a new corporate title has emerged—chief sustainability officer (CSO). CSOs are in charge of the corporation’s environmental programs. Nearly all of the world’s largest companies have a sustainability officer.