America has a long history of environmental awareness which evolved as the country grew and changed during the past 300 years. Today, an environmental concern by the people of the country is mainstream and therefore has become an integral part of corporate America. Explores the development,...

Reviews European Union environmental policy and explores the shift from “command and control” legislation to market‐based instruments. Traces the political development of one market‐based instrument, the eco‐management and audit scheme (EMAS). Gives an overview of how the elements of...

The value and role of the environmental audit for local authorities is outlined. The audit must be seen as a tool to help formulate and implement the Environmental Policy/Action Plan for the authority. The audit generally covers three areas: a review of the existing environmental conditions; a...

Environmental audit, although a widely used term, can cover a multitude of different activities. In any of its guises, though, it is still a prerequisite to taking a serious position on environmental issues. The different definitions of, and approaches to, environmental audit are outlined and...

A consortium of environmental groups and pension fund managers in the United States have recently announced a set of corporate guidelines called the “Valdez Principles”. One guideline calls for firms to prepare annual environmental reports, which would be independently audited. Accountants...

Environmental protection and sustainable development are problems facing both developed and developing countries. Decisions are difficult and have far‐reaching consequences. There are problems with finite resources, competing and conflicting demands, and hard choices. The contribution of...

Auditors are now concerned with environmental issues as some transactions may lead to loss contingencies which must be disclosed in financial statements. Reviews accounting principles concerning such contingencies and discusses auditing standards with regard to illegal acts, environmental...

Assesses the global trends in energy production and consumption. Instability in the Middle East and the disintregration of the Soviet Union; the United States′ increasing dependence on imported oil; and the suppressed demand for energy in the Third World as the developing countries become more...