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Sustainability
Essentials for Business

First Edition
December 2012 | 440 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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The first survey text of its kind to provide a comprehensive treatment of the relationship between business and sustainability, Sustainability: Essentials for Business gives students a thorough understanding of the complex interaction between the needs of society versus the ecological limits on natural resources. Part I provides readers with a foundation for developing a clear understanding of the major issues confronting our natural resources, such as wasted resources and polluted environments. Part II, Renewable Resources, discusses natural resources such as air, water, forests, soil, biodiversity, and energy to provide students with a starting point so that the later chapters on environmental challenges can be framed within an appropriate context. Part III, Stakeholder Interest and Choices, presents stakeholder perspectives such as the role of consumers, the role of corporations, and the role of governments and NGOs. This section also includes a comprehensive discussion of strategies and frameworks used to understand and implement sustainability. Part IV, Strategies for a Sustainable Future, presents chapters on reporting and measurement, carbon markets, the design of sustainable cities, and green marketing. This must-read text focuses on the three "Ps": planet, people, and profit.
 
I. SUSTAINABILITY--ESSENTIALS FOR BUSINESS
 
Introduction
 
II. RENEWABLE RESOURCES
 
1. Air and Climate Issues
 
2. Water Issues
 
3. Sustainable Agriculture and Food
 
4. Forests, Wildlife, and Biodiversity
 
5. Alternative Clean Energy and Fuels
 
III. STAKEHOLDER INTEREST AND CHOICES
 
6. Sustainability Strategies and Frameworks
 
7. Role of the Consumer
 
8. Role of the Corporation
 
9. Role of Governments and Nongovernmental Organizations
 
IV. STRATEGIES FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
 
10. Transparent Reporting, Measurement, and Metrics
 
11. Carbon Markets: Offsets and Standards
 
12. Designing Sustainable Cities and Communities
 
13. Green Marketing

A very good overview of sustainability, however from my point of view the book only gives a brief overview of many different topics. Whilst is not as in-depth as I would have liked for my students, it is a good "starter" book to advise where to look for more research.

Miss Charlotte Goddard
Business and Science, Hull College
February 22, 2014
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This book is accessible and clear. It is a good supplement for my course on CSR and Business Ethics.

Mr Ketill Magnússon
School of Business, Reykjavik University
October 21, 2013
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Relevant. Excellent cases. More ethics philosophy and theory than my previous text.

Mr Ehsan Salek
MBE, Virginia Wesleyan College
August 29, 2013
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Most comprehensive book out there right now

Dr Helen Proeber
Business Info Technology Div, Blackhawk Technical College
August 20, 2013
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The book is really well presented and i like that everything is well explained. This is an easy book for students to pick up and find information, it is also thorough

Dr Elaine Ritch
Not list, Stirling University
May 15, 2013
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Sustainabilty is such an important concept in business and this is a very useful book for students to use to deepen their knowledge.

Ms Rita Walsh
School of Business, Royal Agricultural College
May 14, 2013
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A helpful overview of sustainability issues related to businesses.

Dr Shona Russell
School of Management, St Andrews University
April 17, 2013
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Unfortunately, my research subject - CSR reporting - is covered only briefly in the book.
However, I will recommend the book to students seeking a broad and easily comprehensible overview over everything related to "green business".

Mr Matthias Gräuler
Accounting and Information Systems, University of Osnabruck
April 10, 2013
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The first book that really discusses the sustainability theme in a business. Good and clear structure, enlightning examples. Clearly written and easy to follow, so it suits very well to bachelor level studies.

Ms Sirpa Sandelin
Energy and Construction, Satakunta University of Applied Science
March 28, 2013
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a very useful orientation guide for business students, and economic geography / environmental management students going into this field

Mr Richard Kotter
Dept of Geography, Northumbria University
March 26, 2013
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Key features

Key Features:

  • In-depth exploration of the relationship between environmental science and business, a first for business texts, provides students with new insight into a key aspect of today's business environment.
  • Unique focus on the triple bottom line of business, achieved by breaking sections into the three categories: natural capital (planet), human capital (people), and financial capital (profits).
  • Coverage of multiple business functions, such as operations, marketing, and strategy, are covered.
  • Controversial topics such as global warming are presented from both sides of the current debate, providing opportunities for rich classroom discussion.
  • Suggested case studies from Harvard Business School Publishing and Darden Publishing in the latter chapters show students real-life applications of key concepts.
  • A selection of websites for further information and exploration are included for each chapter.

Sample Materials & Chapters

TOC

CH 1

CH 9

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