Big multinational companies, the likes of MacDonald’s, Walmart, Nestlé and Coca-Cola, to name just a few, are now increasingly helping their bottom line with the inclusion of sustainability in their business plans and actions, more than promoting sustainability of life on Earth as it may seem at first glance. The authors call this eco-business or “taking over the idea of sustainability and turning it into a tool of business control and growth that projects an image of corporate social responsibility.” This book will however reveal that “much of what big brands are doing involves defining and using sustainability as a business tool in ways that are actually increasing risks and adding to an ever-mounting global crisis.” This valuable book, well researched, cleverly written and with extensive notes and bibliographic references, will no doubt interest equally economists, environmental activists, business leaders and educated consumers.
Eco-Business : a big-brand takeover of sustainability. Peter Dauvergne and Jane Lister. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press, 2013.