Sustainability: Environmental management, transparency and competitive advantage

Abstract

David Walkeris Group Facilities and Sourcing Manager with AEGON UK, which is part of AEGON NV one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. He has worked in the fi nancial services industry within the property and facilities environment for 20 years. AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that responsible environmental management, and social reporting, extends beyond the boundaries of multinational organisations to smaller commercial organisations such as shopping centres. A range of published works, over a decade relating to corporate reporting, environmental management and information management have been reviewed. The paper is divided into the following sections: Introduction / Background / Environmental Reporting / The Built Environment / Shopping Centres / Conclusions. The literature traces the development of sustainability over the last 20 years and the growing need for organisations of all sizes to provide detailed transparent information to investors, and shareholders, to maintain confi dence and attract investment. The work highlights the importance of adequate environmental reporting if organisations are to survive in the long term, and achieve a sustainable economy. The paper proposes the adoption of transparent environmental reporting across all commercial organisations to enable a better understanding of environmental impacts for the benefi t of society and attaining sustainability within the natural environment. The paper parallels the evolution of corporate social reporting within multinational enterprises, with the need for smaller commercial organisations also to provide appropriate levels of environmental reporting.

Young Generation Y consumers’ perceptions of sustainability in the apparel industry

“…Sustainability and environmental concern in the apparel industry Specific understanding of the sustainable issues of the apparel industry is important, as the production and retailing of apparel products represents a large industry with great adverse environmental impacts (Allwood et al, 2006;Shaw et al, 2006;Claudio, 2007;Walker, 2008). Yet general environmental concern may not carry over to the apparel industry specifically (Gam, 2011;Hiller Connell, 2010).…”

Sustainable Fashion Supply Chain Management

“…Replicating this study with additional consumer samples in different countries or regions of France is necessary to test the effect of these variables. the current level of production and disposal of apparel that drives the depletion of natural resources and landfill places Walker 2008;Winge 2008).…”

Sustentabilidade No Setor Supermercadista: Estudo Comparativo De Grandes Redes No Brasil E No Exterior

“…De acordo com Walker (2008), no mercado das empresas comerciais, é possível perceber uma mudança muito rápida com as organizações adotando o conceito de triple bottom line (desempenho financeiro, social e ambiental) e entendendo que a adoção de um SGA cria benefícios e economias tangíveis. Ainda segundo esse mesmo autor, as empresas percebem o potencial de aumentar a imagem ambiental do participante, que por sua vez pode levar a aumento de vendas, melhor capacidade de recrutamento de funcionários talentosos e melhor relacionamento com os órgãos reguladores e stakeholders.…”