What is a Sustainable Business?

How do you define a Sustainable Business?  What makes a sustainable business, and what should their purpose be?

 

From the World Resources Institute.  

http://www.wri.org/ecosystems/sustainable-business-and-markets

"(A business which) proactively develops strategies for managing business risks and opportunities that arise from their companies' dependence and impact on ecosystems."

And from Natural Capitalism on sustainability in business. (thanks to Leslie Johnson for finding this)

http://www.natcapsolutions.org/sustainability.htm

"Sustainability is a way of working and living that balances immediate needs for commerce, living, habitation, food, transportation, energy and entertainment with future needs for these resources and systems as well as the liveliness and support of nature, natural resources and future generations.

Sustainability addresses human and natural systems (such as social justice, meaningful experiences, social values, biodiversity, ecosystem services and lifecycle food chains) as well as economic systems (such as market viability, profit and returns) in order to meet needs and desires without endangering the viability of future generations or endeavors. It is similar to the "seventh generation" philosophy of the Native American Iroquis Confederacy, mandating that chiefs always consider the effects of their actions on their descendents seven generations in the future."