Question about Sustainability

1. Large business leaders are accountable to the government, their shareholders, and their stakeholders for business decisions. As such, they face pressure to implement a sustainability plan and penalties for engaging in non sustainable practices. To whom are small business owners accountable? What pressures do small business owners face when creating and implementing a sustainable business plan? What kind of incentives may the government or local community offer to encourage small business owners to improve sustainability practices? For the purpose of this discussion, a small business is defined as having fewer than 50 employees.

2. A local landscaping company is considering implementing sustainable practices related to the chemicals and machinery they use and the employees they hire. What are some advantages and disadvantages for this type of company, when implementing a sustainable business plan? Consider financial, ethical, social, legal, and practical aspects of business. Provide specific examples to support your answers.

3. You are a development planner working for a small town in Arizona. You would like to develop a decentralized energy plan that encourages businesses to use individual solar power units. How would you convince business owners to utilize solar power over fossil fuels? How would you encourage them to incorporate renewable energy sources as part of their overall business culture?