Module 8: Sustainable Development and Global Business

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Main US federal regulatory agency created in 1970 to control air pollution, water pollution, and hazardous waste[cite: 8, 11].

Clean Air Act

Federal law establishing national air quality standards, smog cuts, and motor vehicle emission restrictions[cite: 8, 11].

Clean Water Act

Federal law enacted to restore and maintain the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of surface waters[cite: 8, 11].

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

1976 federal law establishing national policy to assess, regulate, restrict, or ban toxic chemicals[cite: 8, 11].

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

1976 law regulating hazardous waste management from generation to final disposal ("cradle to grave")[cite: 8, 11].

CERCLA / Superfund

1980 federal law establishing a clean-up fund and legal liability for the nation's most dangerous toxic waste sites[cite: 8, 11].

Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)

SARA mandate requiring facilities to annually disclose public emissions data for specified toxic chemicals[cite: 8, 11].

Command-and-Control Regulation

Government policy mandating specific environmental standards and technologies, enforceable in court[cite: 8, 11].

Cap-and-Trade

Market-based policy allowing businesses to buy and sell emissions rights within an overall regulatory limit[cite: 8, 11].

Information Disclosure ("Regulation by Embarrassment")

Encouraging pollution reduction by publishing annual corporate emission performance data[cite: 8, 11].

Clean / Green Economy

Economic sectors producing goods and services with direct environmental benefits (solar, wind, EV, green construction)[cite: 9, 12].

Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO)

Executive leading corporate sustainability whose success relies heavily on interpersonal and cross-functional coordination skills[cite: 9, 12].

Three Pillars of Sustainability Management

Top management commitment, employee engagement, and alignment of executive rewards/incentives[cite: 9, 12].

Integrated Reporting

Publishing consolidated annual reports covering financial results alongside environmental and social impacts[cite: 9, 12].

Sustainability Competitive Advantages

Cost savings, brand differentiation, technological innovation, risk reduction, and superior strategic planning[cite: 9, 12].