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Sustainability
Essentials for Business

First Edition


December 2012 | 440 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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

This is a really well-researched and well-written academic book. Although it focuses on the American market, it has many examples that are applicable to the whole world. Furthermore, the questions of sustainability as a business practice is now relevant and applicable to most industries, which in my case is the fashion industry.

Professor Olga Mitterfellner
Mode Management, Mediadesign Hochschule
August 26, 2015

An easily accessible book that provides case studies. I felt the book provided a solid insight to the difficulties being faced by organisation when discussing sustainability.

An enjoyable read recommended to entry level.

Mr Daniel Slade
Work Place Learning , City of Bristol College
June 22, 2015

The book offers a focused economic\business perspective to Sustainability. the concept of Sustainability has been used widely sometimes in a vague less meaningful manner. The book offers a focused approach. this is extremely helpful for beginners in research in the field of Sustainability.

Professor Simphiwe Mini
Department of Geography, University of South Africa
May 19, 2015

the book provides good coverage of key topics in the field of sustainability studies. it provides good background reading for students who do not attend the course as well.

Dr Laura Colucci-Gray
School of Education, Aberdeen University
May 19, 2015

The best book to cover the majority of the competencies.

Ms Chantel Hampton
Social Science , Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
March 27, 2015

This book is accessible and well-organised. Unfortunately it lacks critical reflections and fails to address significant controversies and contestations in the field.

Dr Emanuela Girei
Psychology, Franklin College
March 5, 2015

Good core text.

Ms Lise Georgeson
School of Management & Business Enterprise, St Mary's University College, Twickenham
September 26, 2014

Sustainability is such a key topic for MBA students and this book is very useful as a resource for them.

Ms Rita Walsh
School of Business, Royal Agricultural College
September 19, 2014

A good comprehensive account of all the issues relevant to sustainability and business. This proves invaluable especially to law students and other non business students.

Mr Joel Klaff
School of Law and Criminology, Derby University
April 8, 2014

Sustainable Enterprise was better in my view.

Dr Lawrence Audler
Business Administration , Our Lady of Holy Cross College
March 14, 2014
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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