ISO 14001 and Beyond by Christopher Sheldon;Elkington John;

Author:Christopher, Sheldon;Elkington, John;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group

In this chapter we trace the recent development of environmental management systems and standards in the UK. We summarise past consumer opinion surveys on business activity on environmental issues. We suggest ways in which companies can mobilise their ultimate customers to influence changes in lifestyles and achieve future patterns of production and consumption which will be the basis of ‘sustainable development’.

■ The Battle Lines are Drawn

Throughout the 1980s, and even before, much of industry was seen as the ‘villain’ in matters concerning pollution and the environment. Campaigning environmental pressure groups regarded industry as the ‘enemy’ and there were calls for increased environmental legislation to force companies into action in the mistaken belief that this was the only way forward. In return, many companies that responded did so with defensive, reactive programmes designed merely to comply with such legislation. At the same time, they lobbied regulators hard, emphasising the costs and burdens of this increasing legislation and the effect it would have on jobs and on the national economy.

There is no denying that change was necessary; however, confrontation was hardly the best way to encourage it. Industry, while seen as the cause of the problem, was rarely regarded by those outside it as part of the solution. The battle lines were drawn, and communication between industry and environmentalists amounted to little more than shouting at each other across a vast chasm with little obvious benefit to the environment. In this atmosphere, few companies became engaged in creative programmes and fewer still were willing to discuss their production processes and operations, even with their own staff, let alone the communities surrounding their plants, NGOs or the public at large.

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