We are a network of research, teaching and professional services colleagues largely based at Lancaster University and at the University's international partners.

As we work towards our vision (see below) we want to create more impact than could be achieved through our members or stakeholders working alone. We do this by:

• Bringing together colleagues from across Lancaster University who wish to work together to further develop knowledge and its application with policy and practice communities.
• Working in partnership with individual businesses, as well as professional and business associations, to support their sustainability ambitions.

Strategic Context

The Squeeze: Sustainability and responsibility have become widely adopted by business, but are not yet universally accepted practice nor deeply embedded as ‘business as usual’. Possibilities for sustainability in business are being squeezed by the external operating environment, particularly as national and international efforts to address sustainability issues are being contested.

The Gap: The space between what is happening in sustainability in business and what we need to meet the demands for sustainability is significant and experienced differently between sectors. Research and partnership working can identify, and find potential solutions for, the gap.

The Leaders: From our work, we know that there is a leading edge of practice across many elements of sustainability in business. It is our ambition to work closely with these practitioners, to learn from them and translate insights from their work for others. In this way, we can help them resist the squeeze, bridge the gap and become more responsible and sustainable businesses.

Vision, mission and strategic aims

We have a vision for a world where business understands, acts upon and furthers sustainability outcomes in its activities.

Our mission is to inspire a critical mass of businesses, through working with academia, to integrate sustainability into their strategy and operations.

Our strategic aims are to:

• Support achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework;
• Connect with those who share our vision and build community with and between researchers, practitioners and changemakers;
• Inspire businesses to transform business-as-usual and innovate to drive both financial and non-financial performance.