"If it ain't broke...": we don't need another privileges and immunities clause for environmental audits
Article Abstract:
The 1995 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy regarding voluntary environmental audits strikes the proper balance between promoting compliance efforts and holding polluters accountable. Some states have adopted an environmental audit privilege that protects businesses when their audit activities reveal environmental harm. The EPA has refused to adopt this approach and has limited the disclosure incentives to immunity from gravity-based penalties. The EPA's policy correctly acknowledges that audit privilege would actually reduce accountability for environmental damages.
Publication Name: The Journal of Corporation Law
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0360-795X
Year: 1997
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Environmental democracy
Article Abstract:
The federal government should recognize the audit privilege already incorporated into the environmental audit legislation of many states. Auditing promotes self-policing by businesses and reduces the costs associated with litigation risks. Currently, large businesses can use other privileges, such as the attorney-client privilege, to protect themselves when investigated by the US Environmental Protection Agency, but small businesses do not have the resources to effect such protections. A federal audit privilege would level the playing field for all businesses.
Publication Name: The Journal of Corporation Law
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0360-795X
Year: 1997
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Environmental activism and the ethical investor
Article Abstract:
Success for environmentally conscious investors lies in influencing corporations to integrate environmental concerns into their decision-making and not simply in increasing the number of corporations that adhere to voluntary codes of environmental disclosure. There is broad popular support for environmental protection, and many corporations are responding by engaging in self-regulation. Shareholder activism, particularly by ethically motivated institutional investors, has proven effective in influencing corporate governance.
Publication Name: The Journal of Corporation Law
Subject: Law
ISSN: 0360-795X
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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