Introduction
Global warming is an environmental issue that has become a concern of every business. Environmental degradation and the use of chemicals that produce ozone gases contribute to global warming. Corporations produce everything that human beings consume and greatly contribute to global warming. Energy companies are the greatest contributors to greenhouse emissions. The companies degrade the ozone layer through the emission of greenhouse gases by burning fossil fuels and chemical reactions that produce goods from raw materials. Moreover, the transportation of products from the companies to consumers contributes to global warming. Companies must practice ethical behaviors to contribute to environmental conservation. The businesses are guided by ethical theories that allow the business to take effective measures to prevent environmental degradation while protecting the environment. Therefore, business ethics is significant in promoting effective industrial activities that promote environmental conservation and reduce global warming.
Business Ethics
Business ethics involves set principles that determine what is morally right or wrong when executing various activities. The principles are significant since they help companies weigh the importance of their routine activities against society’s interests (De Tienne et al., 2021). Corporations establish business ethics to promote integrity and gain trust from key stakeholders like customers and other members of society (Pan et al., 2021). The moral principles can be manifested through ethical programs and the company’s ethical code of behavior. Therefore, business ethics is crucial in determining employee behaviors in companies. Moreover, through corporate social responsibilities (CSR), the firms determine moral decisions and activities that promote the well-being of society. Various ethical theories help companies determine their employment relations and community activities, including environmental conservation, which is key to reducing global warming. Therefore, business ethics is an essential skill that companies must adopt to operate for society’s interest while making profits.
Ethical Theories
Ethical theories are different approaches that companies can adopt in fulfilling their moral obligations to societies. There are three main ethical approaches that companies can adopt: utilitarian, deontological, and virtue ethics (Shariff and Ghodoosi, 2022). Utilitarian ethics informs on what is the greatest good for the greatest number of the society. The approach is applied when companies can consider a societal benefit regardless of its negative consequences to a few individuals in society. The deontological ethical approach is a moral idea that everyone in the society deserves dignity (Pan et al., 2021). Therefore, the approach is majorly applied by businesses to avoid causing pain to members of society. Meanwhile, virtue ethics are the company principles that make good public relations professionals (Pan et al., 2021). Corporations choose an ethical approach depending on the prevailing circumstances. However, the utilitarian approach is significant when determining environmental conservation policies. Utilitarian, deontological, and virtue ethics are approaches adopted by firms when making policies and decisions that affect society.
Global Warming
Global warming is a world problem that is contributed by unethical business behaviors among companies. Industrial Revolution necessitated the development of large manufacturing and processing companies. Moreover, the revolution led to increased human activities like transportation that are beyond industrial activities (Bradu et al., 2022). The majority of industrial activities contribute to the release of gases that deplete the Ozone layer that protects the earth against the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Without the layer, life on earth would be difficult since the ultraviolet rays are detrimental to temperatures and human survival (Zandalinas, Fritschi, and Mittler, 2021). The greenhouse gases that companies and human activities release include Carbon dioxide, Methane, and Nitrous oxide. The gases penetrate the Ozone layer causing more ultraviolet rays to reach the earth. The excess rays are associated with high temperatures and other forms of climate change. Therefore, global warming is detrimental to humanity due to its adverse effects on the environment.
Effects of Global Warming
Global warming is associated with climatic changes that adversely affect human survival on earth. Excess ultraviolet rays cause frequent and intense drought, storms, heatwaves, rising sea levels due to the melting of glaciers, and warming of the oceans (Bansode and Banpatte, 2021). The intense drought leads to poor crop yield and reduced food on earth. The storms are destructive to property and often cause the death of the people living near large water bodies. Meanwhile, heatwaves make life uncomfortable and may lead to skin conditions among human beings and animals (Bansode and Banpatte, 2021). The raising of sea levels due to the melting of glaciers is associated with increased floods that are destructive to humanity and properties. The overall effect of global warming is harsh life conditions and increased expenses such as life and accident insurance policies. Therefore, the adverse effects of global warming make it an issue that must be ethically approached.
Business Ethics and Global Warming
The effects of global warming make it an ethical issue that companies must approach in an informed manner. Climate change is associated with severe ethical challenges since it causes harm to humans who deserve dignity. According to the deontological ethical approach, all human beings deserve dignity. Therefore, it is unethical to subject human beings to the harsh climatic conditions associated with poor handling of ozone gases. Moreover, global warming affects the whole society and poses some danger for future generations. The utilitarian approach encourages businesses to involve in activities that benefit the greater number of the society. Therefore, the emission of greenhouse gases is against the deontological approach and utilitarian ethics. According to business ethics, companies should be involved in activities that promote environmental conservation and sustainability. Therefore, global warming calls for an ethical approach by companies when conducting industrial activities.
Assessing Ethical Performance: Global Policy and CSR
Utilitarian Approach to Global Climate Policy
The utilitarian approach encourages businesses to conduct activities that benefit society and the global community at large. The theory has been adopted by global organizations and governments in caring for the well-being of human beings on earth (Bansode and Banpatte, 2021). Consequently, various global policies that present utility have been adopted by the global community. Many countries are a member of the United Nations, which promotes unity and human dignity worldwide. In 2015, the global community adopted the Paris Agreement, which was meant to counter climatic changes (Nakusheva et al., 2021). The agreement, meant to be implemented by various countries, curbs emissions of greenhouse gases and other activities that contribute to climate change. Through the agreement, companies violating set rules are at risk of sanctions by their respective governments. The punishing of individual companies for the greater good of the global society is a utilitarian approach to global warming. Therefore, utilitarian ethics is significant in formulating global climate change policies.
Criticism of the Utilitarian Approach to Global Climate Policy
The utilitarian approach to global climate policy punishes the corporations and individuals who fail to meet the set standards of environmental conservation. However, the approach is criticized in two main dimensions: determining the important segment of the society and predicting the outcome of the global measures. Corporations are significant in society and contribute to the development of products that save human life. For instance, pharmaceutical companies manufacture drugs that help in curing various diseases. Therefore, the can be a conflict concerning whether a pharmaceutical company that violates climate conservation measures should be closed or not. Meanwhile, although the various global policies seem to be achievable, many governments have found difficulties in implementing them. For instance, it is difficult for governments to measure the number of greenhouse emissions by various companies. Therefore, implementing global climate policies remains a hurdle.
CSR in Global Warming
While the utility approach in developing global climate change policies is significant, CSR is an effective tool in mitigating the adverse effects and causes of global warming. CSR involves those activities and policies that corporations undertake to positively influence the world (UNIDO, 2021). Therefore, companies integrate social and environmental factors with the aim of stakeholder engagement, human rights observations, and social equity. There are four types of CSR that companies undertake: environmental, ethical, philanthropic, and economic responsibilities (UNIDO, 2021). The environmental responsibility is the companies’ conduct to conserve the environment and have a positive impact on climate change mitigation. Companies balance the four responsibilities while ensuring that they remain afloat in the business. Therefore, CSR is a significant ethical approach to mitigating climate change.
Criticism of the CSR Approach to Global Warming
Companies develop their social responsibilities, and at times it is difficult for them to prioritize community interests. CSR is meant to create a cordial relationship between companies and their surrounding communities. However, many companies use corporate responsibilities for their benefit and not for the benefit of the community. For instance, many companies have taken part in recycling plastics, but the community members involved in the collection of the plastics are poorly compensated. Moreover, the developing countries less benefit from the actions of large global corporations’ CSR. For instance, the company involves bright students from the developing world to solve global issues. However, the smart students are taken to benefit the parent countries of the corporations. Although CSR helps in mitigating global warming, many companies have taken advantage of the community resources.
Corporate Actions in Mitigating Global Warming
Adopt Use of Re-Newables Sources of Energy
Global warming is greatly caused by emissions of greenhouse gases produced through chemical reactions and the burning of fossil fuels. Therefore, renewable sources of energy can help companies reduce global warming. Corporations should adopt green energy mechanisms and use solar, wind, or other clean energy for their industrial activities. Moreover, the companies should adopt the use of the electric mode of transportation. Green energy has zero emission of greenhouse gases making it environmentally friendly. Therefore, adopting green energy could help companies reduce greenhouse gases emission.
Raise Awareness Among Stakeholders
Company stakeholders include customers, and suppliers, among other people affected by the industrial activities. The stakeholders play a significant role in conserving the environment. For instance, employees can be encouraged to adopt mechanisms that reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the company level. Moreover, the community can be taught about the significance of environmental conservation and be encouraged to curb environmental pollution. Meanwhile, the companies can encourage sustainability among their suppliers. Environmental awareness among the business stakeholders is crucial in mitigating global warming.
Mobilize for the Climate Change Challenge
Working with competitors to mitigate global warming can be a great way of encouraging positive climatic actions. Companies can call to action all the stakeholders and businesses to participate in activities that promote environmental conservation. For instance, the companies should take part in fulfilling global challenges such as the sustainable development goals. Moreover, the companies, through their product promotional activities, should encourage individuals and other companies to use green energy, among other conservational measures. Therefore, mobilizing for the climate change challenge is an effective measure to curb global warming and its consequent climate change.
Reduce Waste
Industrial wastes are great contributors to environmental degradation. Companies involved in intense chemical reactions produce wastes that are hazardous to the environment by penetrating through the Ozone layer. The firms can adopt innovative measures that can help in reducing waste. Moreover, the corporations can adopt controlled release of wastes to the environment. Plastics and any other recyclable wastes should be re-used to generate new products. Waste-management activities can help combat the release of hazardous materials into the environment.
Conclusion
Business ethics play a significant role in mitigating global warming. The adoption of a utilitarian approach to global climate change policies is effective in reducing the effects of global warming. However, the approach is too harsh for the corporations that produce essential products. Meanwhile, CSR can be significant in promoting environmental conservation measures. However, the use of CSR in conserving the environment is limited to society’s interest. Although ethical approaches to global warming help mitigate the problem, the stakeholders need to put more effort into achieving the outcome.
References
Bansode, S. and Banpatte, A., 2021. Case study of Global Warming. Adn Envi Was Mana Rec, 4 (3): 197-206. Keywords: Life Cycle Assessment, Hot Mix Asphalt, Hot Mix Plant ISSN, 2641, p.1784.
Bradu, P., Biswas, A., Nair, C., Sreevalsakumar, S., Patil, M., Kannampuzha, S., Mukherjee, A.G., Wanjari, U.R., Renu, K., Vellingiri, B. and Gopalakrishnan, A.V., 2022. Recent advances in green technology and Industrial Revolution 4.0 for a sustainable future. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, pp.1-32.
DeTienne, K.B., Ellertson, C.F., Ingerson, M.C. and Dudley, W.R., 2021. Moral development in business ethics: An examination and critique. Journal of Business Ethics, 170(3), pp.429-448.
Nukusheva A, Ilyassova G, Rustembekova D, Zhamiyeva R, Arenova L. Global warming problem faced by the international community: International legal aspect. International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics. 2021;21(2):219-33.
Pan, Z., Liu, L., Bai, S. and Ma, Q., 2021. Can the social trust promote corporate green innovation? Evidence from China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(37), pp.52157-52173.
Sharif, M.M. and Ghodoosi, F., 2022. The ethics of blockchain in organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, pp.1-17.
UNIDO (2021). What Is CSR? [online] United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
Zandalinas, S.I., Fritschi, F.B. and Mittler, R., 2021. Global warming, climate change, and environmental pollution: recipe for a multifactorial stress combination disaster. Trends in Plant Science, 26(6), pp.588-599.