strategy
Establishing environmentally responsible enterprises
Synonyms:
Operating environmentally responsible enterprisesStrengthening environmentally responsible entrepreneurship
Evoking ecologically sustainable commercial activity
Context:
Entrepreneurship is one of the most important driving forces for innovation, increasing market efficiency and responding to challenges and opportunities. Small and medium-sized entreprises, in particular, play a very important role in the social and economic development of a country. Often they are the major means for rural development, increasing off-farm employment and providing the transitional means for improving the livelihood of women. Responsible entrepreneurship can play a major role in improving the efficiency of resource use, reducing risks and hazards, minimizing wastes and safeguarding environmental qualities.Small and medium sized-businesses are an important part of the UK economy. They are also responsible for one-third of the carbon dioxide emissions from business and a significant proportion of other waste. Smaller companies therefore have a significant role to play to help meet climate change targets. There can be significant benefits in improving environmental performance for companies of all sizes. On average a fifth of energy and a quarter of a company's waste can be avoided cost-effectively. Saving resources saves money and improves competitiveness - gain, not pain.
Implementation:
This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Broader:
StrengtheningDeveloping principles of sustainabilityEnsuring sustainable industrial developmentEnsuring environmentally responsible productionEnsuring environmentally responsible production Narrower:
Developing social auditsUsing sustainable technologiesMarketing locally produced goodsUtilizing locally grown productsProducing local consumer productsDeveloping local product resourcesFunding environmentally sustainable businessAdvancing industrial environmental managementExpanding industry consultation with the publicSharing business experience on sustainable developmentTraining in environmental aspects of enterprise managementEstablishing national councils for sustainable developmentCreating venture capital funds for sustainable development programmesSupporting industry in building cleaner production into product designEstablishing world-wide corporate policies for sustainable developmentDeveloping eco-tourism business strategies for biodiversity conservationAdapting procedures in overseas affiliates to local ecological conditionsInvolving women entrepreneurs in national expertise groups for sustainabilityInvolving women entrepreneurs in national expertise groups for sustainabilityTransferring environmentally sound technology to affiliates in developing countriesImproving cooperation with industry on sustainable development strategies and programmesIncreasing support for sustainable development programmes of small and medium enterprisesEstablishing partnerships for sustainable development with small and medium-sized enterprises Facilitated by:
Recognizing eco-pioneers in technologyEnhancing corporate environmental responsibility Problems:
Inadequate product life cycle analysisSubjects:
Geography → EcologyAction → Action
Social Activity → Self employed
Commerce → Commerce
Commerce → Business enterprises
Environment → Environment
Development → Sustainable development
Type Classification:
D: Detailed strategies Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
