Managing eco-efficiency development: an investigation of top carbon polluters in Australia
Date
2018
Authors
Qian, W.
Kaur, A.
Schaltegger, S.
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Lee, K.H.
Schaltegger, S.
Schaltegger, S.
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Book chapter
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Source details - Title: Accounting for sustainability: Asia Pacific perspectives, 2018 / Lee, K.H., Schaltegger, S. (ed./s), vol.33, Ch.5, pp.103-124
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Eco-efficiency as an important measure for integration of environmental and economic performance has been studied extensively in the past. However, previous studies are either conceptual or take a macro view of the empirical relationship between economic and environmental performance in an economy or industry.Little research has explored the actual integration in corporate practice. Using carbon emissions and their integration with corporate economic performance among Australian heavy polluters during 2009 and 2013, we analysed actual integration levels, improvements, patterns at the corporate level. Based on a typological classification of carbon efficiency developed in this study, we differentiate strong and weak eco-efficiency and identify the potential value drivers for the eco-efficiency results with regard to carbon emissions. The study finds that 54% of Australian top polluters have improved carbon efficiency since the implementation of Australian National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Act 2007. Among this, nearly30% of companies achieve a strong carbon efficiency outcome. Economically strong carbon efficient firms (Golden Stars) are more common than environmentally strong carbon efficient firms (Green Stars). This pattern is consistent among weak carbon efficient and inefficient firms. Dirty Cash Cows whose focus is purely on economic growth while ignoring environmental images are a minority among the companies examined. For financially stressed companies, environmental engagement appears more likely to be a reaction to regulatory requirements. Consistently,the eco-efficiency improvement changes with the government carbon policy changes over the reporting periods, indicating an influence of regulatory pressures on corporate eco-efficiency.
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Copyright 2018 Springer International