Reconciling wealth creation and environmental care is one of the key challenges in the pursuit of sustainable development. Companies considering greener modes of operation are mindful of their formal responsibilities to advance shareholders' interests. The age of globalization and intensified competition has increased disincentives to be 'green' for its own sake. And yet, a surprisingly high proportion of large companies have put in place environmental management regimes and invest considerable time and resources in them. However, the public continues to believe that these companies are failing to take their environmental responsibilities seriously, and campaigners are unimpressed with the results of industrial self-regulation. In short, there is a gulf in perception between industry and the consumer.

Clean and Competitive explores the challenge of motivating industry to address environmental issues, drawing on work undertaken by Sussex University's Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) and the Centre for the Exploitation of Science and Technology (CEST). The authors explore in detail industrial responses to prominent environmental issues, including: climate change, air quality, water pollution, waste minimization, and product recycling. They assess various approaches to environmental problems, such as: traditional regulation, partnership, voluntary agreements, and market-based instruments. Finally, they recommend practical ways forward for addressing an ever more complex environmental agenda.

This thoughtful and articulate text is recommended for students on environmental management courses, policy makers, and environmental managers within industry.

About the Author

Rupert Howes is Executive Director of the Sustainable Economy unit Forum for the Future, London, and was previously Research Fellow at SPRU
Jim Skea is Director of the Economic and Social Research Council's Global Environmental Change Programme and is Professorial Fellow at SPRU
Bob Whelan was previously Chief Executive at CEST, and is now Senior Science Adviser at the Institute of Prospective Technological Studies, Seville.

Book Information
ISBN 9781853834905
Author Rupert Howes
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint Earthscan Ltd
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 362g