Environmental issues in business

Résumé du document

Sustainable development does not focus solely on environmental issues. Sustainable development can be defined by different ways. We find four main approaches which are economic considerations, ethical considerations, socio-cultural considerations and political and legal considerations. As regards economic considerations, the problem is that people want everything but there are not enough resources available. So, people have to use alternative resources to give a chance for future generations to live in good conditions. Obviously, sustainable development depends on individual behaviour; but nowadays, there are lots of economic reasons which go against sustainable development such as profit, revenue, cost and market share. We can make linkages between the economy and the environment; we can identify three economic functions which are amenity services, natural resources and waste production. Amenity services are consumer services to domestic households in the form of living and recreational spaces. Natural resources are mineral deposits, forests, water resources, animal populations, etc. Waste products are the result of production and consumption because it generate residuals and waste products. These three economic functions of the natural environment constantly interact with each other, as well as with the economic system as a whole.

Extraits

[...] For example, if you pollute a river and someone downstream gets lower-quality water, or must buy more expensive water as a result, you owe compensation to them. It is very interesting because it integrates use of the environment (including its waste assimilation capacity) into the economic sphere through the use of price signals and the use of economic instruments such as pollution charges and permits. That is a kind of diversion of the economy. Environmental issues Today people are speaking more and more about environment, sustainable development, etc. We can confuse sometimes with all these news terms. [...]

[...] The implementation of an operational EMS should lead to increase ecological aptitudes. The ISO 14000 standards reflect different aspects of environmental management. The following list outlines these aspects: Environmental Management Systems Environmental Auditing Environmental Labelling Life Cycle Assessment Benefits There are a lot of benefits linked with operating an effective Environmental Management Systems Financial aspect Cost savings through the reduction of waste and more efficient use of natural resources (electricity, water, gas and fuels) Reduction in insurance costs by showing better risk management Operational aspect Improved performance and efficiency More efficient and less hazardous production processes Improved consistency by reducing squandering and disruption of production. [...]

[...] So what about “environmental issues” in business? Environmental issues related to business such as sustainable development, including the principles and strategies necessary to succeed for an environmentally friendly or green business. There are many approaches for this term. “Environmental issues” group together all the varied forms of environmental ways. It could concern too all different ecological questions and problems linked with human action. We can also build a list of environmental issues that are due to human activity. This list highlights some of the environmental issues and concerns that have an effect on all of us. [...]

[...] There is no clear definition of CSR but several have been issued, such as: "Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large" World Business Council for Sustainable Development "CSR is about how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society." Mallen Baker "CSR is a company's commitment to operating in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner whilst balancing the interests of diverse stakeholders." CSR Asia "There is one and only one social responsibility of business-to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engages in open and free competition without deception or fraud." (Milton Friedman) Nowadays firms can show their citizenship by issuing a corporate social responsibility report along with their annual report. The CSR report concentrates on their non-financial societal activities. Different approach to CSR Four approaches to CSR have developed over the years, they are: inactive, reactive, active and pro- / interactive. [...]

[...] Environmental issues in business Sustainable development Sustainable development does not focus solely on environmental issues. Sustainable development can be defined by different ways. We find four main approaches which are economic considerations, ethical considerations, socio- cultural considerations and political and legal considerations. As regards economic considerations, the problem is that people want everything but there are not enough resources available. So, people have to use alternative resources to give a chance for future generations to live in good conditions. Obviously, sustainable development depends on individual's behaviour; but nowadays, there are lots of economic reasons which go against sustainable development such as profit, revenue, cost and market share. [...]