Making Environmental Self-Regulation Mandatory

Global Environmental Politics. 6(4):1-12.

Posted: 18 Aug 2005 Last revised: 20 Jan 2015

See all articles by Richard Arnold

Richard Arnold

MarsHelix

Andrew B. Whitford

University of Georgia - Department of Public Administration and Policy

Date Written: 2006

Abstract

We describe a simple mechanism for achieving two goals: (1) to encourage firms to take environmentally friendly action, and (2) to make environmental protection regime-proof. We assert that there is wide evidence now that firms adopting an environmental management system (EMS) like ISO 14001 improve their environmental performance. This is because ISO 14001's third-party audits reduce the chance firms will willfully fail to comply with regulations, and the EMS procedure reduces the chances firms will be in noncompliance due to ignorance. Our mechanism is intended to harness the power of EMS systems within firms, while reducing the chances that political change will nullify our solution. To achieve these goals, make firms' participation in public procurement programs contingent on their adoption of an EMS such as ISO 14001.

Keywords: Environmental policy, environmental enforcement, environmental regulation, public procurement

JEL Classification: H11, H41, H57, K32, Q30

Suggested Citation

Arnold, Richard and Whitford, Andrew B., Making Environmental Self-Regulation Mandatory (2006). Global Environmental Politics. 6(4):1-12., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=782748 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.782748

Richard Arnold

MarsHelix ( email )

United States
775-221-2515 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://marshelix.com

Andrew B. Whitford (Contact Author)

University of Georgia - Department of Public Administration and Policy ( email )

Athens, GA 30602
United States
706-542-2898 (Phone)
706-583-0610 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://andrewwhitford.com

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Abstract Views
1,976
PlumX Metrics