Can businesses focusing on the triple bottom line lead the way in addressing matters as diverse as climate change, social justice, environmental health and financial responsibility? Can they drive much needed policy reform such as climate change, toxic chemicals and consumer financial protection?

As surprising it might sound to some, the answer is yes.

The long wait to have triple bottom line businesses become a noticeable voice on the political scene is over. “Most of us have waited a lifetime for this moment, when economic development is compatible with shared prosperity, environmental protection and social justice” says Richard Eidlin, President of the Progress Group and one of the four musketeers managing the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC). Business networks representing responsible businesses are not new. Green America (1982), the Social Venture Network (1988), the Social Enterprise Alliance (1998), Environmental Entrepreneurs (2000), BALLE (2001), B-Corp (2006) and many others, with their own specificities were already – individually and sometimes collectively – making a difference in promoting, building and developing socially just and environmentally sustainable business communities. However, for different reasons – amongst them too small, too specific, too local – these socially responsible business networks did not reach that critical mass that could have made one of them the antithesis of the US Chamber of Commerce and other powerful trade associations, which have a long history of opposing any change that could jeopardize the only bottom line they believe in: financial – not even economic – profit.

Created in January 2009, the American Sustainable Business Council has already gathered 15 socially responsible business networks representing over 40,000 businesses and social enterprises and more than 150,000 entrepreneurs, owners, executive, investors and business professionals. “When added up there are a lot of green and socially responsible businesses and investments, but historically they’re not represented in Washington. We’ve teamed up to bring businesses together to champion changes,” said David Brodwin, a founder of the Council. The first campaigns are asking for the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency and for the reform of the inefficient Toxic Substances Control Act dating back 1976.

ASBC is not the only voice advocating for change. Environmental Entrepreneurs, Full Circle Fund, the Sustainable Business Institute are amongst the driving forces working towards a more equitable and sustainable economy.

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