Book: The Future of the Responsible Company

Patagonia has become renowned for its sustainable practices and stewardship, but this identity was not necessarily the intent from the brand’s inception. In The Future of the Responsible Company: What We’ve Learned from Patagonia’s First 50 Years (Patagonia, $22), we see how a dedication toward environmental responsibility came about as a by-product of Patagonia’s ethos—not a deliberate result. Nonetheless, co-authors Yvon Chouinard and Vincent Stanley want to help other businesses take a path toward operating more sustainably. The components of running a successful business—much less a legitimately green one—are undoubtedly complicated, but this book provides a blueprint that any company can follow to achieve the gold standard of clean-conscience trade. Plus, as with all of Patagonia’s publications, it features amazing photography.