Burgess COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

Below is our starting ‘Agenda’, which comprises some of the areas that we believe Plan B must address: 1 THE RIGHT ASPIRATIONS That the right global incentives are in place to promote, inspire and celebrate business models that integrate people, planet and profit into their DNA. 2 NEW STRUCTURES That we accelerate new corporate forms, hybrids, partnerships, social business and the enabling conditions exist to mandate a people, planet, profit agenda. 3 TRUE ACCOUNTING That business accounts to society and the planet for the true cost - economic, social and environmental - of every business practice. 4 TRUE RETURNS That the conditions exist for finance to flow toward endeavors seeking a multi-bottom line of people, planet and profit. 5 WELLBEING That business is a primary driver of holistic wellbeing, adding social value through evolving business models, employee welfare, health, citizen engagement and human rights. 6 LEVEL PLAYING FIELD That there are no subsidies or incentives for practices that are destructive for the wellbeing of people and the planet. 7 FULL TRANSPARENCY That we live in a world where there is full transparency about what constitutes a better product, a better company, a better investment and a better leader. 8 REDEFINED EDUCATION That the next generation the world over is taught and inspired to believe that the purpose of business is to be a driving force for social and environmental benefit, and not just financial gain. 9 NATURES MODEL That instead of depleting and polluting natural resources, business works with nature rather than against it and recognizes that economic activity takes place within planetary boundaries. 10 THE LONG RUN That the horizon of thinking in business is considerably extended from the short quarterly focus of today to a far more sustainable, holistic and longer term of tomorrow.