--Georg Winter, Preface
Published last year by McGraw-Hill, this book is a practical guide showing how firms can increase opportunities and reduce risks by environmental action. Environmental sustainability is uncharted territory for most corporate managers who have little training or experience in this field. The step-by-step format in this book carefully guides managers faced with this new responsibility - providing an easy to follow method for developing environmental policies and management systems that conserve natural resources and the environment while also allowing for profit gains.
Recognizing that environmental pressures and business operations differ widely worldwide, Winter's first chapter presents information and case studies from eight different regions across the globe.
Chapters two and three provide background on the challenges of environmental management and suggest an integrated system for meeting the goal of sustainable development.
The guide then proceeds with a unique checklist approach to planning for environmental management. This system of 28 checklists provides a logical approach which covers each aspect of business management, including developing strategies and policies, production issues, internal and external relations, and finance and legal issues. Throughout the volume are examples of actual environmental policy statements and action plans from public companies.
While the checklists are an effective way to identify areas for change and to outline policies, only formal systems and direct action within the company can bring about sustainable operations. The book's final chapter recommends additional steps for active development of business plans which confirm the commitment to environmental issues. Ecocontrolling methods help companies set acceptable standards of performance and environmental auditing and reporting systems lend credence to the company's commitment by providing methods of accountability.
According to comments in the foreword by Tom Peters, co-author of a number of renowned publications on corporate management including In Search of Excellence, this book provides a decidedly encouraging message to those concerned about the quality of the environment and those responsible for looking after the company bottom line. "Clean and green stands for growth, profit and long-term competitive advantage," he concludes.
