ABSTRACT
Chapter 1 sets out the background for the volume at hand, making the case for a textbook on environmental sustainability for businesses, for students of business, management and beyond, and their educators. The historical and political context is highlighted with the help of the so-called societal triangle of the state, market and civil society which have shaped developments towards sustainability. Sustainability is defined within the broader setting of sustainable development and the dynamic complexities characterising it. An overview of the book’s chapters and parts (foundations, environmental challenges, corporate functions) is provided before suggestions are made for its uses. The book is then differentiated from other textbooks in this sphere – it goes beyond corporate environmental management as it considers environmental sustainability as one of three aspects of sustainability – economy, ecology and equity, or people, planet and profit. It is not a book on sustainable development as it focuses on (commercial) organisations rather than societies. The limitations of a textbook integrating various environmental challenges and a range of corporate functions are acknowledged as well, setting out the choices made. A summary concludes the chapter followed by suggested discussion questions, sources and further reading.
