Environmental Consciousness and Business Ethics
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Environmental consciousness in Business Environment
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Environmental Consciousness and Business Ethics
- 1. Environmental Consciousness Submitted by, R.HEMASANKAR, 1st DMS –Sec ‘B’ 17397038
- 2. Definition Environmental Consciousness Environmental consciousness is a question of values or general (primitive) beliefs on the relationship between human beings and the environment.
- 3. Environmental Concern • Willingness to make financial sacrifices for environmental amelioration • Attitude towards environmentally destructive acts • Self-report of involvement in pro- environmental behavior.
- 4. Environmental Business Ethics • Human Choices • Business Realities • Sustainability • New Opportunities
- 5. Environmental Issues That Affect Business • Waste • Sustainable Development of Raw Materials • Emissions
- 6. Natural Environmental Factors That Affect Business • Environmental Regulations • Permit Requirements • Compliance Requirements • Environmental Contaminants
- 7. Role of Business in Environmental Protection • Environmental Regulations • Green Energy • Preventing Waste • Promotions
- 8. Influence on Environmental Concern Gender Socio Economic factor Non-English speaking background Location
Editor's Notes
- Throughout history, human beings have made choices that have led to the destruction of forests, the contamination of water resources and the pollution of the atmosphere through the use of fossil fuelpowered vehicles. In the later part of the 20th century, awareness of the damage has led society to bring pressure to bear on government to enact regulations requiring businesses to protect delicate natural resources. Environmental awareness has prompted many consumers to lead environmentally friendly lifestyles, affecting business realities across the globe. Business Realities Acceptance of responsibility for environmental ethics is demonstrated through the development of corporate environmental strategy. An example is the environmental strategy of Marriott International: "Both in our hotels and beyond, we seek to understand and act on the direct and indirect environmental impacts of our business operations." Companies operating across the globe, regardless of size, must make such a strategy part of their business model in order to protect of the natural resources they use to make a profit. Sustainability Small businesses are exposed to increasing demand by consumers and governmental agencies to respond to sustainability standards. Sustainability refers to the ability of ecosystems to remain healthy and productive over time. One of the simplest ways to make a positive response to sustainability issues is energy conservation. Simply by using energy efficient appliances and light bulbs, businesses can reap significant savings in energy costs and, at the same time, make a realistic contribution to reducing stress on the environment. Environmental Protection Agency research indicates that businesses can save 10 percent to 30 percent on energy costs when using energyefficient equipment. New Opportunities A positive side of environmental business ethics is the creation of new opportunities centered on repairing existing environmental damage and developing new technologies to enable peopl to conduct their business without further damage to the environment. The EPA reports that there are more than $300,000 in grants available for small business to develop and bring to the market new environmental technologies in industries such as water quality, green building materials and greenhouse gasses. Environmental technologies will provide a path to profitability for small business for the foreseeable future.
- Waste Businesses that manufacture products create, at some point in the manufacturing process, manufacturing waste. Environmental laws and good environmental citizenship prohibit the indiscriminate dumping of manufacturing byproduct, so businesses must decide how best to dispense with it. Many implement recycling programs, others sell what they can of the waste to other manufacturers who use it in their own manufacturing processes as raw material. Either way, the effect is additional cost to the business in man hours, procedures, equipment and handling all specific to moving the waste products out of the business's manufacturing process and facilities. Sustainable Development of Raw Materials All manufacturers use raw materials to put together their goods. When these raw materials are natural, such as wood, laws and good environmental citizenship require that the business take measures to replace what it uses. Christmas tree farms are a prime example, as sellers buy from growers who harvest and replant in order to keep from depleting entire forests of naturally occurring pine trees. Again, the affect on business is cost in terms of higher raw materials costs, which usually include the supplier's cost to “replant” or “restock” the natural raw materials. Emissions Manufacturing processes often generate air and/or water emissions, which include particle or chemicalfilled smoke, ash and particles and chemicals that seep into ground water through runoff. Environmental protection laws require businesses to protect the environment from exposure to these emissions. Remedial process include placing screens of specified gauges over smoke stacks, filtration of waste water and lining of retention ponds with clay and poly liners. New regulations are implemented frequently that require retrofitting of manufacturing facilities with increased protections, such as screens of even finer gauges and pond liners of newer and safer materials. All of these measures are costly to business and affect businesses first by decreasing profit margins.
- Environmental Regulations Regulating business activities is one way government agencies protect the environment. Businesses must meet certain standards that help to reduce any adverse effects a company' s activities have on the environment. As a result, natural environmental factors, such as clean water and clean air, dictate how companies conduct their daytoday operations. Permit Requirements Companies involved in activities that impact their surrounding environment typically have to file for operating permits through a local, state or federal government agency. Business permit requirements enable government agencies to regulate and keep track of business activities. These permits serve different purposes, some of which include setting minimal standards for any air emissions, dictating certain procedures for handling waste and hazardous materials and regulating how a company' s daytoday operations interact with nearby water supplies. In effect, natural environmental factors determine the types of operations a company can engage in within a particular locale or region. Compliance Requirements Natural environmental factors affect a business' operations as well as its ability to expand or take on new operations. In effect, companies must comply with environmental regulations in all stages of a business' development. Companies considering purchasing a building should ensure the building conforms to environmental regulations or risk paying penalties for noncompliance. Building expansions must also meet regulatory requirements. Companies that have a record of noncompliance may risk having their operations shut down on a permanent basis. Ultimately, natural environmental factors affect a company' s overall costs in terms of ensuring equipment and procedures meet regulatory requirements. Environmental Contaminants Businesses that work with hazardous materials on a regular basis have certain responsibilities when it comes to ensuring contaminants don' t reach or affect the natural environment. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act holds business owners liable for activities that contaminate surrounding air, soil or water supplies. This law even applies for new business owners who unknowingly purchase a contaminated site or purchase an operation that fails to meet compliance standards. Ultimately, owners, both old and new, must cover clean up costs as well as the costs of restoring a property to required environmental standards
- Environmental Regulations All businesses, regardless of owners' views on environmental protection, have a legal obligation to follow federal, state and local environmental laws. For example, the Clean Water Act limits the amount of waste businesses can produce that end up in water. Some businesses must follow additional regulations. For instance, oil companies must get approval for new offshore oil wells, and coal companies must provide information to the government about environmental and safety practices. Green Energy Green energy is any energy that reduces the impact on the environment by decreasing waste or reducing the use of fossil fuels. Wind turbines, electric cars and solar energy are examples. Businesses frequently can save money by instituting green policies, and some green energy remodeling projects can make your business eligible for a tax deduction. When businesses institute green energy systems, they serve as role models to their customers and increase awareness of environmental issues. Preventing Waste Businesses tend to produce large quantities of waste. From excess packaging to uneaten food, this waste extracts a huge environmental toll through increased deforestation, greater use of energy and filling up landfills. By using recycled products, businesses can reduce their environmental impact. Policies that encourage customers to reduce their waste such as offering a discount for using reusable bags or providing a recycling bin at the business can help businesses become leaders in the environmental protection movement. Offering disincentives for waste, such as charging a fee for plastic bags, also is helpful. Promotions Business promotions that raise awareness of environmental issues don' t just help the environment; they also can improve business. Try having a weekly promotion offering customers a free or discounted item for bringing in a recyclable bag or box. Sponsor a community garden, or offer classes on environmental issues. The right promotion for you depends upon the precise nature of your business, but events or options that draw in customers can cause them to patronize your business both because they' re there and because environmentally conscious customers are more likely to patronize green businesses.