The Economics and Business of Sustainability

Given the emergence of sustainability as the defining issue of our time, it is essential for university graduates, and especially business and economics students, to have a fundamental grasp of the key issues in this emerging multidisciplinary field of study. Nemetz provides a comprehensive, detailed overview of the interlinked economic and ecological concepts central to this new discipline. Accompanying the introduction of the underlying theory is a broad array of real-world supporting data from Asia, Europe and North America. This volume also features a chapter on the threat of emerging pandemics and their significance for the achievement of a truly sustainable world. This book accentuates the value and importance of a strong sustainability approach in an age of climate change emergency. It is an ideal companion for instructors and students of sustainability in business, economics and related disciplines such as geography and political science. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Page Contents List of figures List of tables Other books by the author Preface 1 Book outline, rationale and introduction Appendix 1.1: A simple example of systems theory Appendix 1.2: Business and ecosystems as complex adaptive systems 2 A brief historical overview of economic development and the environment: Pre- and post-agricultural revolution 3 A brief historical overview of economic development and the environment: The Industrial Revolution and sequel Appendix 3.1: A short primer on input-output analysis 4 What are we trying to achieve? Measuring wealth and well-being Appendix 4.1: The World Bank’s calculation of total wealth (World Bank 2011, pp. 142–143, reproduced with permission) Appendix 4.2: Well-being indicator variables used by the OECD (2011b) 5 An overview of environmental economics Appendix 5.1: Sulfur dioxide trading in the US Appendix 5.2: Greenhouse gases and economic incentives Appendix 5.3: The Toxic Release Inventory and its effects 6 Cost-benefit analysis and measuring environmental benefits Appendix 6.1: Applying evaluation methodology – case study of the US Clean Air Act Appendix 6.2: Placing a value on ecosystem services – case study of New York City’s water supply Appendix 6.3: A brief overview of multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) 7 Placing a value on human life Appendix 7.1: Philip Morris’ report to the government of Czechoslovakia 8 Some relevant ecological principles 9 A brief outline of ecological economics Appendix 9.1: Valuing ecosystem services of North America’s boreal forest Appendix 9.2: Case study of Thai shrimp farming 10 Risk analysis and the precautionary principle Appendix 10.1: Two classic examples of risk framing Appendix 10.2: The precautionary principle and global warming 11 Pandemics and sustainability 12 The path forward Index "This book accentuates the value and importance of a strong sustainability approach in an age of climate change emergency. It is an ideal companion for instructors and students of sustainability in business, economics, and related disciplines such as geography and political science"-- Provided by publisher