Many different companies can significantly contribute to the integrated goals and targets of the United Nations sustainable development goals, such as poverty reduction by 2030. Poverty is not only about people living on less than $1.25 per day, but more fundamentally, it is their lack of capabilities and access to participate in productive economic activities. If companies can contribute in order to provide access and the necessary skills, then individuals will have the capabilities to achieve their aspirations, including earning a higher income.

Companies can no longer expect to engage in dubious or unethical corporate behaviour without risking their reputation and damaging, perhaps irrevocably, their market position. Irresponsible corporate behavior not only deprives shareholders of long-term returns but also ultimately imposes a cost on society as a whole. Sustainable business is about ensuring that entities contribute toward positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes. Bad business behaviour is costly for stakeholders, for markets, for society, and the economy alike.

To ensure that a company behaves well, the...