sustainable economy?

I have recently read and re-read State of the World 2006 published by The WorldWatch Institute. My current project draws my attention to Chapter 10: Transforming Corporations by Erik Assadourian. Here I would like to highlight my findings and open them up for discussion.
It is well known among environmentalists and economists that neoclassical economics does not account for natural capital nor does it account for externalities associated with production. Instead neoclassical economics is represented by a closed system of house holds and businesses. Unfortunately the economy is no so simple or predictable, there is exploitation of resources and much waste associated with production. Ecosystem degradation is an unaccounted-for byproduct of industrial societies. Today, as ecosystems decline business has become riskier and costlier; Assadourian reports “Key resources and ecosystem services, such as fresh water and climate regulation [are] less available” and he predicts “It will heighten regulatory oversight; it will alter customer and investor preferences; and it will jeopardize the availability of capital and insurance” (Assadourian 2006).
Few businesses have taken a proactive approach to protecting their interests and the interests of the Earth, however the majority of corporate America continue to operate in their own short-sighted self-interest. Corporations are now the dominant force in American business; it is necessary that they sign on to sustainability efforts to encourage and enable other, smaller businesses to follow the lead. Corporations must act in an ecologically sustainable manner; they must be willing to invest in long-term beneficial technologies and policies. Unfortunately corporations are apparently unwilling to do, even when it may prove advantageous to their bottom line. Assadourian argues that “Corporate responsibility is worth the investment” citing a study that demonstrates “a positive relationship between financial performance and social and environmental performance” (Assadourian 2006).
How do we price for environmental goods and services? How do we induce a bottom-up policy change? If some corporations have already begun to act responsibly and have been successful at doing so, how do we encourage others to do the same? How do we create breeding grounds and training grounds for environmentally responsible shareholders, employees, and executives? When many shareholders are short-term investors, how do we encourage costly investments for the future? These are just a couple of the many questions that one could pose after reading such a chapter.