ABSTRACT

The green wall can result from either an uneasy fit of strategic environmental management with the business functions or the inability to convince non-believers in the organisation that any of this 'green stuff' really makes business sense. The need for corporate management to recognise the green wall and to find ways to break through it is becoming especially critical as more and more environmental, health and safety (EHS) departments are being re-engineered and downsized. The chapter shows how successful companies get the most from their EHS functions by aligning EHS vision with business goals, linking EHS processes to business needs, communicating EHS benefits, subjecting EHS to appropriate measurement and financial scrutiny and integrating EHS and business thinking through the value chain. The value chain can identify points of leverage, helping show where EHS can provide competitive advantage to the corporation.