The report discusses the concept of 'citystates' and how the sustainability of cities is linked to business success. It identifies seven characteristics essential for sustainable cities and aims to spark dialogue on collaboration between businesses and cities to enhance sustainability efforts. The findings will be featured in a panel talk at Verge DC 2012 and additional events throughout the year.

1. City States – How Cities are Vital to the
Future of Sustainability
GreenBiz | March 12, 2012 – The following report by SustainAbility
explores a new take on the concept of “citystates” and how the
sustainability of cities and business are inextricably linked.
Produced in partnership with GreenBiz and sponsored by Ford Motor
Company, the paper lays out seven characteristics or “states” for
sustainable cities that can enable both cities and businesses serving them
to flourish.
“The purpose of ‘Citystates,’ ” say report authors Chris Guenther and
Mohammed Al-Shawaf, “is to seed a dialogue, the central question of
which is: How might business and others come together to strengthen
and leverage the unique characteristics and advantages of cities to
accelerate progress on sustainability?”
The idea of cities as catalysts for sustainability will be the focus of a
panel talk at VERGE DC 2012 this week. The topic will be in the
spotlight at further VERGE events this year.
The report is also described in this video briefing from
SustainAbility: Citystates from SustainAbility on Vimeo.