Business Ethics and Environment Protection

Whenever your neighbours leave the town, they hand you the key to their house. Why is that? Is it because of security or in case of emergency? Yes. Is it because of their trust in you? Definitely. But what is stronger than trust and security? It’s ethics. They believe you are ethical. That you have the proper judgement between what is RIGHT and what is WRONG. Similarly, society trusts it’s keys to businesses. These keys are known as Business Ethics or Corporate Ethics and they involve environmental protection

Suggested Videos

 

Business Ethics

Business is one of the most important entities in the society. Its decisions and actions have the potential of creating a change in society, good and bad both. Therefore to not misuse the trust of the society, businesses are bound by business ethics. It means fulfilling the commitments given, undertaking responsibility, not compromising in the quality and to ensure reliability.

According to society, business exists to supply goods and services to people. And according to a business, they exist to earn a profit. Businesses are run by human beings whose decisions and actions can create changes in the society or sometimes be not in accordance with the society.

A firm might be excellent in economic conditions such it’s financial stability, increased profits and good revenue but poor in terms of social performance such as not understanding the effect of its activities and supplying products at reasonable prices and quality.

A business is not an isolated entity like an island, a business enterprise is a part of the society and influenced by society and should adjust to the preferences and values of society. So the main purpose of business ethics is to draw a line between individual betterment and social betterment.

Role of Business in Environmental Protection

The environment is everything we depend on. Whether it be the trees that give us oxygen, the land we live upon and the rivers that provide us with water. The environment is crucial for the society and businesses together. We all have a responsibility to conserve and protect the environment. And whether it be governments, businesses, consumers, workers or other members of society, each much contribute to stop the environment from polluting further.

Governments must initiate programs to ban the use of hazardous products such as plastic carry bags. Consumers, workers and society can support environmental protection by not using these hazardous products or other products that are not environmental friendly.

Steps that can be Taken

Business enterprises should take lead in solving environmental issues. It is their responsibility to check the consequences of their actions and also to protect environmental resources. Some initiatives which can be taken by business enterprises for environmental protection are:

• A sincere commitment by the top management of the business to cultivate, maintain and develop work culture for environmental protection and pollution prevention.
• To ensure that the commitment towards environmental protection is shared by all the employees of all the divisions of the business.
• Developing clear-cut policies and programmes for purchasing good quality raw material, using latest technology, using scientific techniques of disposal and waste management and to develop the skills of the employees for the purpose of pollution control.
• To adapt to the laws and regulations passes by the government for the prevention of pollution.
• Participation in government programmes relating to the management of hazardous substances, clearing up of polluted water bodies, plantation of trees and to reduce deforestation.
• Assesment of pollution control programmes in terms of costs and benefits to increase the progress with respect to environmental protection.
• Also businesses can arrange workshops and give training material and share technical information and experience with suppliers and customers to get them involved in pollution control programmes.
• Promoting green energy that reduces the use of fossil fuels.

Solved Question for You

Q: Who all are responsible for environmental protection?

1. The Government
2. Businesses
3. Citizens
4. All of the above

Ans: The correct answer is option “D”. Environmental protection is not the responsibility of just one entity. It is a unified effort. The government must form rules and regulations and the citizens must abide by them. And businesses also play a huge part in environmental protection as it is also their social responsibility.