Making a successful transition to this new arena of competition will require planning and organization, as well as new technology development for the manufacturing firm. Like the transition to “Lean Manufacturing” there is some debate over the details, but there is broad consensus on the basic steps to sustainable manufacturing. The very first step? Read More

Sustainable Financial Markets and Private Equity

Investments in financial intermediary (FI) projects now account for roughly 40 percent of IFC’s total portfolio, making IFC well placed to play a leadership role in encouraging its FI clients to pursue sustainable lending and investment practices.

IFC continues to build on its relationship with over 400 regional and local banks, as well as with 120 private equity funds in emerging markets which have been applying our social and environmental standards for many years. And we are now supporting..Read More

Real Estate: Wastewater Reuse Technology

Many industry participants, including Landcom, want to increase water reuse in their developments as part of a general shift towards sustainable land development and water management. But at the moment, knowledge is limited about reused water and associated technologies. To help the industry increase knowledge and understanding, this report examines water reuse and identifies localised and decentralised technologies that are viable for urban developments...Read More

To Whose Profit? Building a Business Case for Sustainability

A growing number of companies believe that sustainability issues will have an increasingly important bearing on the way in which economic activities are organised and run in the future. They also recognise that the integration of these considerations into their business strategies could offer a pathway to long-term growth and prosperity...Read More

Sales Growth, Growth Period, and Profit Margin

Using the example of The Body Shop, the study demonstrated how ethical and environmental issues contributed to an increase in enterprise value...Between 1987 and 1996, The Body Shop was able to maintain an average operating profit margin of 17.9%, while its closest rivals, Boots and Marks & Spencer, only achieved margins of approximately 11% for the same period...Over the same period, the sales growth rate for The Body Shop was 900% as compared with an average growth rate of 50% for Boots and Marks & Spencer. These factors contributed to a six-fold growth in operating profit for The Body Shop in that period, compared to a two-fold rise for Boots and Marks & Spencer. Read More