The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) brings together some 190 international companies in a shared commitment to sustainable development through economic growth, ecological balance and social progress. The members are drawn from more than 30 countries and 20 major industrial sectors. It also benefit from a global network of 58 national and regional business councils and partner organizations.

The WBCSD mission is to provide business leadership as a catalyst for change toward sustainable development, and to support the business license to operate, innovate and grow in a world increasingly shaped by sustainable development issues

climate for buisiness

The Development Focus Area at the WBCSD is one of four focus areas. Its role is to promote the development of inclusive business models that are both good business and have a positive impact on the low-income segment

In October this year, the steering committee endorsed the start-up of collaborative work between WBCSD members in Ghana. The work will likely focus on two areas: (1) Institutional capacity building to build awareness and improve the quality of engagement between business and non-business stakeholders and (2) improve access to financing for Small and Medium sized Enterprise (SME) development. 

trade

WBCSD member companies have actively promoted successful completion of the Doha trade round.

Doha letter from WBCSD Companies

Antony Burgmans on "What WTO for 21st Century"

enterprise and employment

See also Climate for Business. In addition the WBCSD develops advocacy messages for business and government on what can be done to bring more SMEs into the formal economy and supply chains of larger companies.

The WBCSD is currently developing a framework to measure the impact of business on development that includes job creation, skills and training, procurement strategies etc

perceptions of africa

In general the WBCSD works with its member companies to promote that the developing world can be a good place to do business and we regularly show case example of member activities that demonstrate this in Africa and elsewhere.