Economics and incentives: a committee report of the Round Table on Sustainable Developement

Helping businesses adopt sustainable practices and challenging them to help society take strides toward sustainable development should be among Minnesota’s chief economic goals, recommends the Economics and Incentives Committee of the Minnesota Round Table on Sustainable Development. Long-term economic prosperity depends upon the acceptance of these responsibilities by businesses, governments and, ultimately, consumers.

The committee calls upon Minnesota businesses, trade associations, educational institutions and government to:

Measure and report progress; share lessons learned

Provide education and recognition

Employ sustainable management practices in government

Provide technical and financial assistance

Continue to reform the regulatory framework to encourage sustainable business activity in Minnesota

Rethink the public incentives used to encourage business in Minnesota

Challenge the business community to discuss its role in driving sustainable development

The Minnesota Round Table on Sustainable Development was a diverse group of 30 business, environmental and community leaders appointed by Governor Arne H. Carlson to consider how Minnesotans can safeguard their long-term environmental, economic and social well-being.