1. Sustainability Issues
CHAPTER 11
Sustainability Issues

2. Chapter Objectives
To define the nature of sustainability as it relates to social responsibility
To explore a variety of environmental issues faced by business and society
To examine the impact of environmental policy and regulations
To discuss a strategic approach to respond to environmental issues

3. Sustainability
Sustainability is the potential for long-term well-being of the natural environment, including all biological entities, as well as the interaction among nature and individuals, organizations, and business strategies.
Sustainability includes the assessment and improvement of business strategies, economic sectors, work practices, technologies, and lifestyles while maintaining the natural environment.

4. Global Environmental Issues
Natural environment
The physical world, including all biological entities as well as the interaction among nature, individuals, and organizations
Protection of air, land, biodiversity, water, and renewable natural resources
Increasingly, companies are incorporating environmental issues into their overall business strategies

5. Biodiversity
Deforestation, pollution, development, and urban sprawl have put increasing pressure on wildlife, plants, and their habitats.
Many ecologists believe that the loss of species threatens the success of entire ecosystems.

6. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The most influential regulatory agency that deals with environmental issues and enforces environmental legislation
Protects Americans from significant health risks in their work environment
Manages environmental risks
Is an integral part of U.S. policy
Contributes to diverse, sustainable, and economically productive communities and ecosystems
Enforces laws and provides information
Plays a leadership role in dealing with other countries’ environmental policies

7. Environmental Legislation
Clean Air Act
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
Endangered Species Act
Toxic Substances Control Act
American Clean Energy Act

8. Environmental Legislation
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act
Toxic Release Inventory
Pollution Prevention Act
Food Quality Protection Act

9. Alternative Energy
Alternative energy sources reduce global carbon emissions and our dependence on traditional energy sources.

10. Business Response to Environmental Issues
Green marketing is specific development, pricing, promotion, and distribution of products that produce less harm to the environment.

11. Other Environmental Initiatives
Emissions reduction
Socially responsible buying

12. Stakeholder Assessment
A process requiring acknowledging and actively monitoring the environmental concerns of all legitimate stakeholders

13. Risk Analysis
An analysis performed by a company to identify environmental issues that relate to manufacturing, marketing, consumption, and usage patterns associated with its products

14. The Strategic Environmental Audit
Organizations conduct an independent audit and report the results to all interested stakeholders.
Organizations developed ISO as a comprehensive set of environmental standards that encourage a cleaner, safer, healthier world.