 |  Business and Society: Corporate Strategy, Public Policy, Ethics, 10/e James Post,
Boston University
Anne T Lawrence,
San Jose State University
James Weber,
Duquesne University
Managing Environmental Issues
Chapter Summary- The United States regulates in three major areas of environmental protection: air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution. Environmental laws have traditionally been of the command and control type, specifying standards and results. New laws have added market incentives to induce environmentally sound behavior and have encouraged companies to reduce pollution at the source.
- Environmental laws have brought many benefits. Air, water, and land pollution levels are in many cases lower than in 1970. But some improvements have come at a high cost. A continuing challenge is to find ways to promote a clean environment and sustainable business practices without impairing the competitiveness of the U.S. economy.
- Companies pass through five distinct stages in the development of green management practices. Many businesses are now moving from lower to higher stages. An ecologically sustainable organization is one that operates in a way that is consistent with the principle of sustainable development.
- Effective environmental management requires an integrated approach that involves all parts of the business organization, including top leadership, line managers, and production teams, as well as strong partnerships with stakeholders.
- Many companies have found that proactive environmental management can confer a competitive advantage by saving money, attracting green customers, promoting innovation, and developing skills in strategic planning.
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2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education