By the EESC's Employers Group
Sustainability is paramount for business and employers, who play a crucial role as drivers of development. A sound and solid economy is a necessary enabler of sustainable development. We need to identify solutions which are economically, socially and environmentally beneficial. While various stakeholders have much in common in their perceptions of sustainability, they often differ on how to get there.
These are some of the conclusions of the discussion on How business can promote sustainability that took place on 21 November 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.
"Business is not a problem for sustainability, it is a solution," said Jacek Krawczyk, president of the Employers' Group in his welcoming address. He pointed out that business provides and introduces both climate and environmental solutions.
During the main discussion, representatives of all three EESC groups put forward their views on sustainability. The debate showed that despite diverging views on sustainability among employers, workers and environmentalists, there is significant common ground. "Competition is key to sustainable development. Competition requires a good regulatory environment but definitely not more regulation," said Tellervo Kylä-Harakka-Ruonala in summarising the discussion.
The meeting took place during MedaWeek, a yearly conference promoting Mediterranean economic integration. The members of the Employers' Group addressed the New Africa Business Development Forum, the ECOmeda Sustainability Summit and the Mediterranean Women Entrepreneurs Forum. During the gala dinner, Jacek Krawczyk was awarded a prize for his contribution to the development of the Euro-Mediterranean private sector. (lj)