Sustainability : Essentials for Business

Sustainability: Essentials for Business is a text designed to give students a thorough understanding of the complex interplay between the needs of society versus ecological limits on natural resources. The purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive treatment of the relationship between business and sustainability. The opening chapters of this book address the major issues confronting our natural resources. It is important to get a grounded perspective on these critical issues before addressing the strategic issues of the firm. Businesses must have a clear understanding of the consequences of wasted resources and polluted environments. Hence the book starts with the Renewable Resources segment and discuss the natural resources such as air, water, forests, soil, and energy. This discussion provides a starting point so that the later chapters on environmental challenges can be framed within an appropriate context. The next section, Stakeholder Interest and Choices, presents sustainable strategies and frameworks followed by stakeholder perspectives such as the role of consumers, the role of corporations, and the role of governments and NGOs. The last section, Strategies for a Sustainable Future, presents chapters on reporting and measurement, carbon markets, the design of sustainable cities and green marketing.