Should firms be concerned about environmental problems?
There are two schools of thought about it. One argues that a company should only be concerned with generating products and delighting consumers, not with the environment.
At the same time, the second side argues that a company has a social responsibility to the environment that the firm cannot ignore since it may also benefit the firm.
It is believed by some businesses that they should produce goods and services profitably while neglecting environmental issues. That means companies should be unconcerned if they pollute the environment, destroy the ozone layer, or dump rubbish into rivers. They should care about their customers and the items they make.
Companies who believe this believe it is the government’s responsibility to clean up pollution if pollution is an issue. Some business owners also argue that there isn’t enough proof that business activity creates permanent environmental damage.
But why do some businesses feel that they should overlook environmental issues and only focus on their products? Probably because they believe that environmental protection is costly.
Lowering waste, recycling garbage, and decreasing polluted smoke all cost money to businesses which in the end reduces their profits. And no company wants its profits to fall. They all want to earn as much money as possible, so they ignore the environmental harm they cause and their social obligation to the environment.
Furthermore, firms may be forced to raise the pricing of their products to pay for environmentally friendly regulations, which may reduce company sales since customers will buy less if they have to pay higher prices. And they will choose competitors’ low-cost items.
On the other hand, some businesses think they have a social responsibility to the environment that may benefit them.
These companies think that global warming and pollution harm everyone and that businesses must do their part to tackle these issues. They prefer not to use scarce natural resources that are non-renewable, such as forest timber so that future generations do not suffer and prices do not rise.
These businesses also feel that as consumers become more socially conscious, they will want more items from environmentally friendly businesses; this benefits the business in terms of satisfying their social obligation to the environment.
Furthermore, as we all know, if businesses destroy the environment, pressure groups may take action to affect the business’s reputation or sales; many businesses fear this as well, which is why they prefer not to ignore environmental concerns.
To summarise, I believe that businesses should be concerned about the environment. Consumers will not want to buy items from a company that is unconcerned about the environment and continues to pollute it.
Second, not caring about the environment and focusing solely on one’s products may provide a short-term profit. However, if a company wants long-term advantages, it should take care of the environment by recycling, reusing, and reducing trash.
