Puma and Virgin launch sustainable business plan

Sir Richard Branson, Founder and Chairman of the Virgin Group, and Jochen Zeitz, Chairman of Puma, launched a new not-for-profit sustainable business initiative yesterday, and the 'Plan B' will focus on the private sectors unsustainable use of the earths natural resources.

The initiative is being led by Branson, Zeitz and 14 high-profile business and political leaders, including Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group, Kathy Calvin, President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation, and former Irish President Mary Robinson. They have pledged to work on the development of a ‘Plan B for business’ that will aim to address the growing challenges businesses and communities face, such as the unsustainable use of natural resources, high unemployment and global inequality.

Speaking at the BAFTA in London and to an online audience, the ‘B Leaders’ made their declaration about what a new plan for business will look like, gave personal addresses about why they believe business needs a Plan B and took questions from the audience, online and in the room.

They addressed the audience in London and explained that current environmental and resources issues being faced are not the outcomes they envisioned when gorowing their companies. They expressed their belief that businesses have been a major contributor to these problems, and that the time has come for business leaders to take responsibility of creating sustainable solutions.

The leaders all pledged to ‘start at home’ and implement “priniciples of better business” at their respective companies or groups.

Speaking at the launch, co-founder Jochen Zeitz said: “Business is integral to society, but it has also created most of the negative environmental challenges of this century.

“The B Team will help to catalyse a shift away from the existing short-term, unsustainable mindset, towards the long-term interest of people, the planet and the wider economy. Tackling these three challenges is a starting point for a “Plan B” to form.”

Sir Richard Branson, added: “Today we want to start a global conversation on a “Plan B” for business.

“We are working with government agencies, the social sector, and business leaders to help get on top of some of the world’s seemingly intractable challenges. We are keen to listen, learn and share with others to build businesses that do what’s right for people and the planet.”