The political factor

Politicians establish a priority between the economic, social and ecological aspects depending on their individual, or party, views and objectives. This is done primarily by the application of taxation or regulatory control.

Some people believe strongly in the importance of a free market in order to achieve genuine economic sustainability and are against any form of market control. These people consider taxation and regulation to be an unwelcome distortion of the free market, a form of social engineering or intervention by the 'Nanny State'. Many other people consider that taxation and regulation are essential to protect society - in particular the most vulnerable members of society that are less able to look after themselves.

As with so many political and sustainability issues there is no consensus. Without any clear prioritisation between the three sustainability pillars the only option for any business remains to try to address all three pillars simultaneously making individual business priority choices when compromises have to be made.

The UN World Summit on Sustainable Development at Johannesburg in September 2002 was the largest ever gathering of Governmental and non-Governmental organisations. World leaders declared sustainable development a "central element of the international agenda". Sustainable Development is a hot political topic and businesses have to steer the best possible pathway towards sustainability guided by factors relating to all three pillars of sustainable development.