Partnership Towards Sustainable Business

Go back

Partnership Towards Sustainable Business

Professor Jan Peter Balkenende

11 September 2017

10.00am - 11.30am

SMU Mochtar Riady Auditorium

Singapore

On a global level, conversations around sustainability are pivoting toward the concept of a circular economy. The Dutch government declared an ambitious goal in 2016, aiming for full circularity in the country by 2050. The aspiration came with implications on societal issues, its sustainable development goals, and the Dutch economy's competitive edge in the global economic landscape.

The former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Professor Jan Peter Balkenende, is widely regarded as an influential sustainability advocate. He highlighted the significance of universities in technological advancement and the social sciences through education and research. Using examples from collaborations within the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition, Prof Balkenende also illustrated the intricate nature of the responsibilities and expectations required in fostering sustainable businesses and societies.

The Climate Summit and Sustainable Development Goals inspire hope for a better world but they must be met with effective implementation.
Businesses need to think beyond their short-term goals and figure out how to incorporate sustainability issues into their business models.
A circular economy plays a central role in the global agenda of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and addressing climate change.

Speaker

Professor Jan Peter Balkenende

Prime Minister of the Netherlands (2002 - 2010)
Chair of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition

On the importance of a circular economy

We need a circular economy. We cannot go on with the current production and consumption styles. So we have to re-think our business models. We have to work together, and we need new alliances. I think it's our obligation to do the right things for society.

We need a circular economy. We cannot go on with the current production and consumption styles. So we have to re-think our business models. We have to work together, and we need new alliances. I think it's our obligation to do the right things for society.

Professor Jan Peter Balkenende
Prime Minister of the Netherlands (2002 - 2010)
Chair of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition

How can countries be successful? One, you always must have innovation and sometimes creative instruction. Two, you must have the rule of law, because if there's corruption, you can forget it. And the third one is that people must be able to share in the revenues of economic well-being.