Corporate Environmental Strategy最新文献

The concept of sustainability has generated much discussion and has been incrementally induced in corporate thinking. However, implementation of changes in industrial processes, products, and practices has progressed at a slow pace. One reason for this is the enduring myth that economic profitability must always be sacrificed to achieve environmental goals. However, innovative technologies have been developed that contribute to improving both the environmental and economic corporate bottom line. This paper highlights examples of the successful implementation of such technologies and the benefits that these strategies have provided.

Sustainability requires that problems be solved in a whole systems context. Corporations are increasingly finding that local/regional/state level partnerships provide whole systems solutions and unexpected benefits. Partnerships generally support four sustainability strategies: (1) Environmental Restoration of natural capital; (2) Community Development of human and social capital; (3) Regulatory/Standards Development; and (4) Learning Communities. Partnerships tend to become forms of learning communities if the efforts move beyond the corporate environmental staff. The partnerships consistently lead to unexpected benefits, whether it be international sales leads from a totally locally-focused network, innovative practices such as home ownership support programs, or analysis tools leading to cooperative solutions for contentious issues. Corporations are consistently pleased with results of partnerships. Best practices include utilization of self-organizing whole systems approaches, transparency, and business-sector leadership. Specific partnership stories of Steelcase Inc., Wacker Siltronic, Stonyfield Farm, Starbucks, BC Hydro and Suncor are described.

Canada is in the final stages of a three-year project to develop a set of national environment and sustainable development indicators. Fully funded and supported by the Government of Canada, the project involves research, public consultations and analysis by subject specialists. Participants in the process include individuals with special expertise in developing indicators, officials from all levels of government, researchers, and representatives of business, financial, and environmental organizations. The intent of the exercise is to develop a very small set of clear and understandable environmental indicators to inform the public and to supply a context for economic decision-making.

The focus is on protecting Canada's natural capital and ensuring economic opportunities for future generations. Policy makers in other jurisdictions considering similar work can learn from Canada's experiences. Corporate personnel, who will want to play an active part in any such process in their home country, can benefit from understanding Canada's approach and activities. Full details of the initiative are included on the website of Canada's National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy at www.nrtee.trnee.ca..

Global corporations have a key role to play in issues ranging from human rights to environmental policies. Specifically, corporations can be most effective in helping the poor by investing in local and global communities on a long-term basis rather than by acting as charities or aid agencies. However, to do so, corporations must restore the public's trust. They must demonstrate that their presence, particularly in poorer countries and the emerging market economies, is a source of human progress. They must demonstrate that globalisation is not a zero-sum game in which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. In this regard, those who argue against globalisation are denying 1.5 billion people, who live in absolute poverty, the means of escape. To do nothing is morally unacceptable. The world is watching the corporate sector. This is a moment of great challenge, but also of great opportunity because if corporations can demonstrate that they are agents of progress, they can remove the doubts and renew the trust that is essential for both prosperity and security.

Public opinion surveys consistently show that the majority of people in many countries believe that corporations should abide by recognised standards in business ethics, human rights, labour practices and environmental impacts. Reliance on voluntary codes has not been effective. The debate is now moving towards the development of more effective regulatory frameworks. This article argues for a multi-layered regulatory approach at national and international levels, using examples from the debate in Australia over three issues: the 1998 draft Multilateral Agreement on Investment; the experience in Australia of international and company voluntary codes; and the debate over a national regulatory initiative (the Corporate Code of Conduct Bill) introduced into the Australian Commonwealth Parliament in 2000–2001. This article is based on a paper presented at the Royal Institute of International Affairs Conference on the Legal Dimensions of Corporate Responsibility held at Chatham House, London, November 2001.