American Sustainable Business Council

The time has come for business to play a prominent role in building a vibrant, just and sustainable economy. Growth and development must take their proper place alongside shared prosperity, environmental protection and social justice as key priorities for our economy.

The American Sustainable Business Council is building the foundation, framework and political influence for a transition to a new economy grounded in principles of sustainability and equity. The Council works on a wide range of issues including financial reform, climate change, tax policy, and chemicals. The Council will elevate the public presence of the many diverse businesses representing sustainability, local economies, micro-enterprises, and corporate social responsibility.

We aim to move beyond the politics and business of the past to create the innovative solutions — enterprises, collaborations, and ideas — necessary for accelerating such a transformation.

Increasingly, legislators and their advisors are expressing the urgent need for progressive businesses to take a more active role as a champion of economic reform and social change. These businesses and their associations want to engage in public policy but to date, most have not had access to the resources or capability to maximize their potential influence.

Successful engagement requires the power that only a coordinated and collaborative entity can provide. The American Sustainable Business Council was created specifically to leverage this collective strength and catalyze policy change.

What?

American Sustainable Business Council is a growing coalition of business networks committed to public polices that promote a vibrant, just and sustainable economy. It represents over 40,000 businesses and social enterprises and more than 150,000 entrepreneurs, owners, executive, investors and business professionals.

Why?

America faces many serious challenges — but America’s most visible business organizations, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, promote policies that perpetuate the problems. A growing community of forward-thinking business leaders is forging a new way, where progressive business voices can become a visible and prominent force in the media and in Washington.

How?

Provide a collaborative framework and support to business networks such as Investors’ Circle, SVN, B Lab, BALLE, and Green America to help their members engage in policy advocacy. We work at the federal and state level to design and execute campaigns, identify opportunities for influence, organize visits to policy makers, and mobilize business voices to champion sustainability in the media.

Contact?

For more information on how networks can join and how businesses and individuals can participate visit www.asbcouncil.org, email dlevine@asbcouncil.org or contact 202-595-9302.

ASBC Partners

Partners in the American Sustainable Business Council include: Association for Enterprise Opportunity, New Voice of Business, Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, Responsible Wealth, B Lab, Social Enterprise Alliance, California Association for Microenterprise Opportunity, Social Venture Network, Green America, Sustainable Business Alliance, Green Chamber of Commerce, Wealth for the Common Good and Green Chamber of the South.

“ For America to once again become a land of justice and equity, hope and possibility, it is essential for progressive and responsible business to have a seat at the table to ensure their voice is heard as policy is shaped, rules are written and priorities set. The American Sustainable Business Council is the most important and exciting new initiative I’ve been involved with since I started Seventh Generation over 21 years ago.”

Jeffrey Hollender
Co-Founder and Executive Chair,
Seventh Generation