Sustainability, environmental law and rules-based systems
File(s)
Author(s)
Oraee-Mirzamani, Nikzad
Type
Thesis
Abstract
The thesis aims to create a rule-based framework in order to facilitate corporate strategy making and regulatory drafting pertaining to sustainable development. To do so, the premise is set that business sustainability can be broadly categorised in four interdependent pillars, namely, Environmental, Economic and Social sustainability and Corporate Governance. Accordingly, four case studies are devised, each focusing on one of said areas of business sustainability in different industries and business sectors. The findings of each case study are instrumental to the final conclusions of the current thesis.
Covering a vast array of examples in corporate behaviour with regards to business sustainability led to the understanding that industries and regulators suffer from a lack of a standardised approach to implement a common theme within sustainability. It is submitted that the current sustainability reporting standards do not distinguish between rules and advantageous reporting criteria. To alleviate this problem the thesis draws from the findings of each case study and devises a rules-based system which drafters of legislation and corporate sustainability strategists can benefit from as a set of guiding norms and principles to aid them in their implementing behaviours. These rules are discretionary in application and non-exhaustive; readers of said framework may choose which rules are most applicable and if so, how they would apply to their circumstances. Therefore, extensive opportunity for further research remains in order to complement the implementation of these rules.
Covering a vast array of examples in corporate behaviour with regards to business sustainability led to the understanding that industries and regulators suffer from a lack of a standardised approach to implement a common theme within sustainability. It is submitted that the current sustainability reporting standards do not distinguish between rules and advantageous reporting criteria. To alleviate this problem the thesis draws from the findings of each case study and devises a rules-based system which drafters of legislation and corporate sustainability strategists can benefit from as a set of guiding norms and principles to aid them in their implementing behaviours. These rules are discretionary in application and non-exhaustive; readers of said framework may choose which rules are most applicable and if so, how they would apply to their circumstances. Therefore, extensive opportunity for further research remains in order to complement the implementation of these rules.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2013-11
Date Awarded
2014-06
Copyright Statement
Attribution NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-ND)
Advisor
Makuch, Zen A
Publisher Department
Centre for Environmental Policy
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)