Abstract

This brief expert report provides an overview of the opportunities for companies to become involved in sustainable development in the local context - and thus contribute to the realisation of Agenda 21. To this end, four fields of action are addressed, citing numerous socially innovative examples: (1) corporate citizenship, (2) corporate communication with their social stakeholders in the form of stakeholder dialogues and sustainability reports, (3) corporate commitment to their employees and (4) sustainability management with a view to the respective core business of the company. The study also looks at the role of networks, organisations and initiatives that are active locally across all fields of action in order to motivate companies to adopt a more sustainable approach to business and to support them in practical implementation. On this basis, a conclusion is drawn on local entrepreneurial activities with particular social innovation potential and on the success factors for the regional sustainability commitment of the business community, and an outlook is given on future developments and challenges for companies.

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