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This working paper examines the historical role of business interests in shaping structures for global environmental governance. Drawing on extensive historical evidence from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and other archives, the paper demonstrates that international business associations, in particular the ICC were instrumental to the transformation of international environmental governancebetween the UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972 and Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. The ICC, which was sidelined in the debates on the environment in Stockholm in 1972, gradually managed to establish itself as a key partner for the United Nations and to introduce a liberal environmental vision that emphasized economic growth, market forces, free trade, and business self-regulation as a source of environmental governance. While environmental debate at the time for the Stockholm conference in 1972 was centered around the notion of Limits to Growth we find that the ICC actively contributed to the definition of the concept sustainable development. This paper not only helps to explain the role of business in constructing the concept of sustainable development but also why the concept became so widely accepted in the world business community. The problem was that this conception of sustainable development allowed for the incremental greening of corporations, which did not reflect the real need for measures to prevent the ongoing environmental crisis from worsening, including climate change., Ce working paper examine le rôle historique des multinationales dans la mise en place d’une gouvernance environnementale internationale. En s'appuyant sur de nombreux fonds d’archives, en particulier ceux de la Chambre de Commerce Internationale (CCI), l'objectif de ce working paper est de montrer que les organisations patronales internationales, en particulier la CCI, ont joué un rôle déterminant dans la transformation de la gouvernance environnementale mondiale entre la Conférence des Nations Unies sur l'environnement humain à Stockholm en 1972 et le Sommet de la Terre à Rio en 1992. La CCI, qui avait été mise à l'écart lors des débats à Stockholm, a progressivement réussi à s'imposer comme un partenaire clé des Nations Unies et à introduire, voire imposer une vision libérale de l'environnement qui mettait l'accent sur la croissance économique, les forces du marché, le libre-échange et l'autorégulation des entreprises comme instruments de la gouvernance environnementale. Alors que le débat environnemental à l'époque de la conférence de Stockholm en 1972 était centré sur la notion de limites à la croissance, nous constatons que la CCI a activement contribué, durant les deux décennies suivantes, à la définition du concept de développement durable. Ce working paper permet non seulement d'expliquer le rôle des multinationales dans l’émergence de ce concept, mais aussi de comprendre pourquoi la notion de développement durable a été si largement acceptée par le monde des affaires. Cette conception du développement durable a certes rendu possible une progressive prise de conscience écologique des entreprises, mais elle n’a pas favorisé l’introduction des mesures visant à empêcher l'aggravation de la crise environnementale, notamment le changement climatique.

This working paper examines the historical role of business interests in shaping structures for global environmental governance. Drawing on extensive historical evidence from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and other archives, the paper demonstrates that international business associations, in particular the ICC were instrumental to the transformation of international environmental governancebetween the UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972 and Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. The ICC, which was sidelined in the debates on the environment in Stockholm in 1972, gradually managed to establish itself as a key partner for the United Nations and to introduce a liberal environmental vision that emphasized economic growth, market forces, free trade, and business self-regulation as a source of environmental governance. While environmental debate at the time for the Stockholm conference in 1972 was centered around the notion of Limits to Growth we find that the ICC actively contributed to the definition of the concept sustainable development. This paper not only helps to explain the role of business in constructing the concept of sustainable development but also why the concept became so widely accepted in the world business community. The problem was that this conception of sustainable development allowed for the incremental greening of corporations, which did not reflect the real need for measures to prevent the ongoing environmental crisis from worsening, including climate change., Ce working paper examine le rôle historique des multinationales dans la mise en place d’une gouvernance environnementale internationale. En s'appuyant sur de nombreux fonds d’archives, en particulier ceux de la Chambre de Commerce Internationale (CCI), l'objectif de ce working paper est de montrer que les organisations patronales internationales, en particulier la CCI, ont joué un rôle déterminant dans la transformation de la gouvernance environnementale mondiale entre la Conférence des Nations Unies sur l'environnement humain à Stockholm en 1972 et le Sommet de la Terre à Rio en 1992. La CCI, qui avait été mise à l'écart lors des débats à Stockholm, a progressivement réussi à s'imposer comme un partenaire clé des Nations Unies et à introduire, voire imposer une vision libérale de l'environnement qui mettait l'accent sur la croissance économique, les forces du marché, le libre-échange et l'autorégulation des entreprises comme instruments de la gouvernance environnementale. Alors que le débat environnemental à l'époque de la conférence de Stockholm en 1972 était centré sur la notion de limites à la croissance, nous constatons que la CCI a activement contribué, durant les deux décennies suivantes, à la définition du concept de développement durable. Ce working paper permet non seulement d'expliquer le rôle des multinationales dans l’émergence de ce concept, mais aussi de comprendre pourquoi la notion de développement durable a été si largement acceptée par le monde des affaires. Cette conception du développement durable a certes rendu possible une progressive prise de conscience écologique des entreprises, mais elle n’a pas favorisé l’introduction des mesures visant à empêcher l'aggravation de la crise environnementale, notamment le changement climatique.

The paper analyzes the prerequisites for a regulatory-driven transition toward radically lower air and water pollution in industry. This is achieved in the empirical context of the Swedish mining and metals industry, and by investigating the environmental licensing processes during two regulatory systems. The paper derives an analytical framework that explores under what circumstances such licensing processes can result in radical emissions reductions without seriously jeopardizing the competitiveness of the industry. Archived material covering six environmental licensing processes, three during each system, is used to illustrate the various design and implementation issues. The results suggest that regulatory-driven green transitions benefit from trust-based bargaining procedures in which companies are involved in repeated interactions with regulatory authorities, and which extended probation periods permit tests of novel abatement technologies (including innovation). The findings also illustrate the importance of abstaining from simplified normative notions about policy instrument choice (e.g. taxes versus standards).

The paper analyzes the prerequisites for a regulatory-driven transition toward radically lower air and water pollution in industry. This is achieved in the empirical context of the Swedish mining and metals industry, and by investigating the environmental licensing processes during two regulatory systems. The paper derives an analytical framework that explores under what circumstances such licensing processes can result in radical emissions reductions without seriously jeopardizing the competitiveness of the industry. Archived material covering six environmental licensing processes, three during each system, is used to illustrate the various design and implementation issues. The results suggest that regulatory-driven green transitions benefit from trust-based bargaining procedures in which companies are involved in repeated interactions with regulatory authorities, and which extended probation periods permit tests of novel abatement technologies (including innovation). The findings also illustrate the importance of abstaining from simplified normative notions about policy instrument choice (e.g. taxes versus standards).

The paper analyzes the prerequisites for a regulatory-driven transition toward radically lower air and water pollution in industry. This is achieved in the empirical context of the Swedish mining and metals industry, and by investigating the environmental licensing processes during two regulatory systems. The paper derives an analytical framework that explores under what circumstances such licensing processes can result in radical emissions reductions without seriously jeopardizing the competitiveness of the industry. Archived material covering six environmental licensing processes, three during each system, is used to illustrate the various design and implementation issues. The results suggest that regulatory-driven green transitions benefit from trust-based bargaining procedures in which companies are involved in repeated interactions with regulatory authorities, and which extended probation periods permit tests of novel abatement technologies (including innovation). The findings also illustrate the importance of abstaining from simplified normative notions about policy instrument choice (e.g. taxes versus standards).

This working paper examines the historical role of business interests in shaping structures for global environmental governance. Drawing on extensive historical evidence from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and other archives, the paper demonstrates that international business associations, in particular the ICC were instrumental to the transformation of international environmental governancebetween the UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972 and Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. The ICC, which was sidelined in the debates on the environment in Stockholm in 1972, gradually managed to establish itself as a key partner for the United Nations and to introduce a liberal environmental vision that emphasized economic growth, market forces, free trade, and business self-regulation as a source of environmental governance. While environmental debate at the time for the Stockholm conference in 1972 was centered around the notion of Limits to Growth we find that the ICC actively contributed to the definition of the concept sustainable development. This paper not only helps to explain the role of business in constructing the concept of sustainable development but also why the concept became so widely accepted in the world business community. The problem was that this conception of sustainable development allowed for the incremental greening of corporations, which did not reflect the real need for measures to prevent the ongoing environmental crisis from worsening, including climate change., Ce working paper examine le rôle historique des multinationales dans la mise en place d’une gouvernance environnementale internationale. En s'appuyant sur de nombreux fonds d’archives, en particulier ceux de la Chambre de Commerce Internationale (CCI), l'objectif de ce working paper est de montrer que les organisations patronales internationales, en particulier la CCI, ont joué un rôle déterminant dans la transformation de la gouvernance environnementale mondiale entre la Conférence des Nations Unies sur l'environnement humain à Stockholm en 1972 et le Sommet de la Terre à Rio en 1992. La CCI, qui avait été mise à l'écart lors des débats à Stockholm, a progressivement réussi à s'imposer comme un partenaire clé des Nations Unies et à introduire, voire imposer une vision libérale de l'environnement qui mettait l'accent sur la croissance économique, les forces du marché, le libre-échange et l'autorégulation des entreprises comme instruments de la gouvernance environnementale. Alors que le débat environnemental à l'époque de la conférence de Stockholm en 1972 était centré sur la notion de limites à la croissance, nous constatons que la CCI a activement contribué, durant les deux décennies suivantes, à la définition du concept de développement durable. Ce working paper permet non seulement d'expliquer le rôle des multinationales dans l’émergence de ce concept, mais aussi de comprendre pourquoi la notion de développement durable a été si largement acceptée par le monde des affaires. Cette conception du développement durable a certes rendu possible une progressive prise de conscience écologique des entreprises, mais elle n’a pas favorisé l’introduction des mesures visant à empêcher l'aggravation de la crise environnementale, notamment le changement climatique.

This working paper examines the historical role of business interests in shaping structures for global environmental governance. Drawing on extensive historical evidence from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and other archives, the paper demonstrates that international business associations, in particular the ICC were instrumental to the transformation of international environmental governancebetween the UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972 and Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. The ICC, which was sidelined in the debates on the environment in Stockholm in 1972, gradually managed to establish itself as a key partner for the United Nations and to introduce a liberal environmental vision that emphasized economic growth, market forces, free trade, and business self-regulation as a source of environmental governance. While environmental debate at the time for the Stockholm conference in 1972 was centered around the notion of Limits to Growth we find that the ICC actively contributed to the definition of the concept sustainable development. This paper not only helps to explain the role of business in constructing the concept of sustainable development but also why the concept became so widely accepted in the world business community. The problem was that this conception of sustainable development allowed for the incremental greening of corporations, which did not reflect the real need for measures to prevent the ongoing environmental crisis from worsening, including climate change., Ce working paper examine le rôle historique des multinationales dans la mise en place d’une gouvernance environnementale internationale. En s'appuyant sur de nombreux fonds d’archives, en particulier ceux de la Chambre de Commerce Internationale (CCI), l'objectif de ce working paper est de montrer que les organisations patronales internationales, en particulier la CCI, ont joué un rôle déterminant dans la transformation de la gouvernance environnementale mondiale entre la Conférence des Nations Unies sur l'environnement humain à Stockholm en 1972 et le Sommet de la Terre à Rio en 1992. La CCI, qui avait été mise à l'écart lors des débats à Stockholm, a progressivement réussi à s'imposer comme un partenaire clé des Nations Unies et à introduire, voire imposer une vision libérale de l'environnement qui mettait l'accent sur la croissance économique, les forces du marché, le libre-échange et l'autorégulation des entreprises comme instruments de la gouvernance environnementale. Alors que le débat environnemental à l'époque de la conférence de Stockholm en 1972 était centré sur la notion de limites à la croissance, nous constatons que la CCI a activement contribué, durant les deux décennies suivantes, à la définition du concept de développement durable. Ce working paper permet non seulement d'expliquer le rôle des multinationales dans l’émergence de ce concept, mais aussi de comprendre pourquoi la notion de développement durable a été si largement acceptée par le monde des affaires. Cette conception du développement durable a certes rendu possible une progressive prise de conscience écologique des entreprises, mais elle n’a pas favorisé l’introduction des mesures visant à empêcher l'aggravation de la crise environnementale, notamment le changement climatique.

The paper analyzes the prerequisites for a regulatory-driven transition toward radically lower air and water pollution in industry. This is achieved in the empirical context of the Swedish mining and metals industry, and by investigating the environmental licensing processes during two regulatory systems. The paper derives an analytical framework that explores under what circumstances such licensing processes can result in radical emissions reductions without seriously jeopardizing the competitiveness of the industry. Archived material covering six environmental licensing processes, three during each system, is used to illustrate the various design and implementation issues. The results suggest that regulatory-driven green transitions benefit from trust-based bargaining procedures in which companies are involved in repeated interactions with regulatory authorities, and which extended probation periods permit tests of novel abatement technologies (including innovation). The findings also illustrate the importance of abstaining from simplified normative notions about policy instrument choice (e.g. taxes versus standards).

The paper analyzes the prerequisites for a regulatory-driven transition toward radically lower air and water pollution in industry. This is achieved in the empirical context of the Swedish mining and metals industry, and by investigating the environmental licensing processes during two regulatory systems. The paper derives an analytical framework that explores under what circumstances such licensing processes can result in radical emissions reductions without seriously jeopardizing the competitiveness of the industry. Archived material covering six environmental licensing processes, three during each system, is used to illustrate the various design and implementation issues. The results suggest that regulatory-driven green transitions benefit from trust-based bargaining procedures in which companies are involved in repeated interactions with regulatory authorities, and which extended probation periods permit tests of novel abatement technologies (including innovation). The findings also illustrate the importance of abstaining from simplified normative notions about policy instrument choice (e.g. taxes versus standards).

This working paper examines the historical role of business interests in shaping structures for global environmental governance. Drawing on extensive historical evidence from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and other archives, the paper demonstrates that international business associations, in particular the ICC were instrumental to the transformation of international environmental governancebetween the UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972 and Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. The ICC, which was sidelined in the debates on the environment in Stockholm in 1972, gradually managed to establish itself as a key partner for the United Nations and to introduce a liberal environmental vision that emphasized economic growth, market forces, free trade, and business self-regulation as a source of environmental governance. While environmental debate at the time for the Stockholm conference in 1972 was centered around the notion of Limits to Growth we find that the ICC actively contributed to the definition of the concept sustainable development. This paper not only helps to explain the role of business in constructing the concept of sustainable development but also why the concept became so widely accepted in the world business community. The problem was that this conception of sustainable development allowed for the incremental greening of corporations, which did not reflect the real need for measures to prevent the ongoing environmental crisis from worsening, including climate change., Ce working paper examine le rôle historique des multinationales dans la mise en place d’une gouvernance environnementale internationale. En s'appuyant sur de nombreux fonds d’archives, en particulier ceux de la Chambre de Commerce Internationale (CCI), l'objectif de ce working paper est de montrer que les organisations patronales internationales, en particulier la CCI, ont joué un rôle déterminant dans la transformation de la gouvernance environnementale mondiale entre la Conférence des Nations Unies sur l'environnement humain à Stockholm en 1972 et le Sommet de la Terre à Rio en 1992. La CCI, qui avait été mise à l'écart lors des débats à Stockholm, a progressivement réussi à s'imposer comme un partenaire clé des Nations Unies et à introduire, voire imposer une vision libérale de l'environnement qui mettait l'accent sur la croissance économique, les forces du marché, le libre-échange et l'autorégulation des entreprises comme instruments de la gouvernance environnementale. Alors que le débat environnemental à l'époque de la conférence de Stockholm en 1972 était centré sur la notion de limites à la croissance, nous constatons que la CCI a activement contribué, durant les deux décennies suivantes, à la définition du concept de développement durable. Ce working paper permet non seulement d'expliquer le rôle des multinationales dans l’émergence de ce concept, mais aussi de comprendre pourquoi la notion de développement durable a été si largement acceptée par le monde des affaires. Cette conception du développement durable a certes rendu possible une progressive prise de conscience écologique des entreprises, mais elle n’a pas favorisé l’introduction des mesures visant à empêcher l'aggravation de la crise environnementale, notamment le changement climatique.

This article examines key barriers to business sustainability discussed at a multidisciplinary conference held at the Harvard Business School in 2018. Drawing on perspectives from both the historical and business literatures, speakers debated the historical success of and future opportunities for voluntary business actions to advance sustainability. Roadblocks include misaligned incentives, missing institutions, inertia of economic systems, and the concept of sustainability itself. Overcoming these roadblocks will require systematic interventions and alternative normative concepts.

Since the 1960s, the pulp and paper industry (PPI) has developed from being considered one of the greatest polluters of the twentieth century to an industry that is in the lead in the transition towards a more sustainable, bio-based economy. This chapter covers the environmentally driven transformation of the PPI by focusing on the transition in one country, namely Sweden, which has pioneered parts of this transition. The chapter illustrates that the overall transition towards cleaner and more energy efficient production technologies is the result of long-term and incremental processes, starting in the early twentieth century. The development gained momentum with the environmental awaking in the 1960s followed by stricter environmental regulations, while the oil crisis in the 1970s pushed for energy substitution of oil with biofuels. Unlike the PPI in countries like Finland and the US, the Swedish PPI aimed at in-plant process changes rather than end-of-pipe technologies to control pollution from the start. This strategy, along with extensive industry wide R&D collaborations, enabled Swedish firms to take the lead in developing elemental chlorine free (ECF) and total chlorine free (TCF) pulp from the late 1980s. Furthermore, from the mid-1980s green consumerism came to function as an additional driver, while the issue of climate change was an impetus to the development of cellulose based biofuels in the twenty-first century.