Voluntary Instruments of Environmental Care as a Global Trend – Example of the Sitaution in the Czech Republic

Abstract

The presented paper discusses the importance of voluntary environmental activities to business activity. In recent decades, a number of trends have been underway that have increased the importance of a friendly approach to the environment for the successful functioning of enterprises. A certain level of environmental care is given by the legislative requirements of the country. At the same time, enterprises can develop activities beyond those mandatory obligations. The aim of the presented article is to provide a list of the basic voluntary instruments that businesses use to take a friendly approach to the environment and, using selected instruments, describe their use in the Czech Republic. A further aim is to briefly map the opinions of the inhabitants of the Czech Republic concerning the status and protection of the environment in the Czech Republic. Businesses can use several voluntary environmental tools. EMAS and ecolabelling are considered the main voluntary environmental instruments. The potential benefits of both tools include possible cost savings as well as a possible increase in revenues. In the Czech Republic, both voluntary instruments mentioned above are used. Research focused on the impact of voluntary environmental tools on business performance has shown that their use mostly increases environmental performance. Greater economic performance is not always achieved. A survey conducted among the citizens of the Czech Republic indicated that they are quite satisfied with the state of the environment. Furthermore, it is possible to identify potential demand for environmentally friendly products.