Al Gore: 7 reasons sustainability makes business sense

ORLANDO -- Al Gore on Monday made the business case for sustainability and said corporations play a key role in carrying the effort forward.

Gore, speaking at the SAP Sapphire conference in Orlando, said companies were increasingly focused on sustainability and that's going to have a positive effect on the environment.

"The business community is showing impressive leadership in sustainability," Gore said.

Much of Gore's talk was a climate change lecture, but he did note a few reasons why sustainability is becoming more than just a greenwashing marketing mantra and a part of actual business practices.

Here's a look at Gore's seven business points about sustainability, in no particular order:

1. Pollution is waste and the result of inefficiencies. The message: Polluting companies are inefficient.
2. Sustainability enhances brand reputation.
3. There are long-term returns in being sustainable. At some point, stakeholders will hit companies with short-term focus.
4. Customers and partners are demanding sustainable business practices.
5. Carbon tracking will be integrated into business processes as regulators require it across the globe.
6. Sustainability can boost employee morale and attract the next generation of customers.
7. Tackling a topic such as innovation leads to new innovations.

Thoughts?

More from the SAP Sapphire conference on SmartPlanet:

• Virgin CEO Richard Branson: carbon is the enemy; IT can help

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com