NEW YORK, NY – In an effort to forward the “triple bottom line” approach to business – simultaneously linking economic profitability with social and environmental responsibility – in the United States, several major multinational corporations have joined forces to create the United States Business Council for Sustainable Development (US BCSD). The group is spearheaded by Carlos Guimaraes, Chairman, US BCSD and VP Global Environmental Operations for The Dow Chemical Company.

“The US BCSD is exclusively US focused and very project-oriented,” says Guimaraes. “This approach is critical, not only for industry but for American competitiveness and well-being overall. We’re here to encourage as many other companies, large and small, to join us.”
Launched in 2002, the US BCSD is a partner organization of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development www.wbcsd.org (WBCSD), a global network of 160 international companies with members drawn from 30 countries and 20 major industrial sectors. The WBCSD plays a leading role in shaping the business response to the challenges of sustainable development. The US BCSD seeks to relate the World Council’s efforts to the US business community and its stakeholders, and establishes projects to implement them in real world situations.

On June 4 – 5, 2003 The Conference Board will be hosting a Business and Sustainability Conference at the Waldorf Astoria to discuss the impacts of social and environmental factors on corporate economic performance.

Mr. Guimaraes will be presenting the US BCSD agenda to the conference and is available for discussion from 1:30 – 6:00pm. He welcomes interviews for publication in an effort to continue to grow the Council and promote involvement.