Earthenterprise Tool Kit - International Institute for Sustainable ...

EarthEnterprise Tool Kit
TOOL
• The highest standard among trading partners will likely become the
relevant measure of performance.
• Enforcement will increase.
• So-called “voluntary”standards will increase in number and stringency.
• There will be more use of third-party certification.
• There will be a slow transition to market-based mechanisms, e.g., a carbon
tax.
• The polluter pays principle will become more prevalent.
• The precautionary principle will be more widely adopted.
• A law passed in one country will have impacts beyond national boundaries.
The U. S. Clean Air Act is an example of legislation that is generating significant
international business opportunities, primarily in abatement, but also in
pollution prevention and sustainable technologies. N ew fuels, v e h i c l e s ,
appliances, paints, and electricity generating technologies are being developed
around the world to comply with the Act.
The effects of voluntary and regulated standards related to appliance efficiency,
paper bleaching, and packaging also ricochet around the world. Technology
leaders in the most advanced market soon become technology leaders globally.
Assess International Agreements as Sustainable Technology Drivers
The demand for sustainable technologies is being driven, in part, by the
recognition of such global problems as atmospheric change, loss of biodiversity,
toxic chemical accumulations, and resource degradation and depletion.
Scientists, environmental groups, governments, and international agencies are
trying to deal with these issues in international forums. Although tedious to
draft, the binding agreements that result catalyze enormous change. Domestic
legislation and regulations follow as countries implement their international
commitments.
L o n g , d rawn-out negotiations and implementation schedules present a
window of opportunity during which entrepreneurs can judge whether a
profitable business venture will result. Recent international agreements on
slowing ozone depletion, climate change, and biodiversity loss constitute a
unique set of drivers for developing new pro d u c t s , t e c h n o l o g i e s , a n d
production processes. Financial rewards await the companies that develop
timely solutions. The key is being aware of, and able to assess, the agreements
for their business potential.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY
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