Ethical and environmental considerations: Environmental considerations:

The idea

Environmental considerations are the ways a business reduces harm to the natural environment and manages its use of natural resources. Key areas include reducing carbon emissions, cutting energy and water use, minimising waste, recycling packaging, using sustainable raw materials and limiting pollution. A manufacturer might install solar panels, redesign packaging to cut plastic or switch to renewable electricity. Benefits include lower long-run energy bills, compliance with environmental law, a stronger reputation and appeal to environmentally conscious customers. Drawbacks include high upfront investment, disruption during changeover and possible higher unit costs. Answers should apply these ideas to a named business and weigh both sides.

What earns the marks

• Identifies a specific environmental measure, such as installing solar panels, cutting packaging or using recycled materials.
• Explains the environmental effect, for example reduced carbon emissions or less waste sent to landfill.
• Links the measure to a business consequence, such as lower energy bills over time or improved brand image.
• Explains a drawback, such as high installation costs or disruption to production during the changeover.
• Applies the consideration to the context in the question, for example a named factory, retailer or transport business.
• Reaches a judgement on whether the environmental measure is worthwhile for that business.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treating environmental action as automatically profitable.

  Put it right: Weigh upfront costs against long-term savings and reputation gains.

• Confusing environmental considerations with ethical ones.

  Put it right: Environmental points concern harm to nature and resource use, while ethical points concern moral treatment of people.

• Giving a measure without any consequence.

  Put it right: State what changes for the environment and for the business.

Exam tips

• Name the specific resource affected, such as energy, water, packaging or raw materials, to make the point precise.
• Use data from the case if given, such as a cost figure, to support the judgement rather than relying on general opinion.
• Balance the answer by giving at least one cost and one benefit before concluding.