Back in 1972, the CEO of Danone stood up at a conference of business leaders in Marseille, France, and made a radical suggestion. As the era of mass consumption was being ushered in, he controversially suggested that a business shouldn’t just be a vehicle for profit at any cost, but should also look after the wellbeing of its employees, the wider community and the environment.
“There is only one planet. We only live once,” said Antoine Riboud, then head of the global food and drinks company. “People work eight hours of their day … [but] the business’s responsibility does not stop at the factory or office door. Its actions have repercussions throughout the whole community and influence the quality of life of every citizen.”
