The debate on sustainable production often ends in discussions on the
feasibility of far-reaching changes in relation to the competitiveness
of companies. Industry itself and policy-makers tend to back away from
engaging in profound processes of industrial transformation. Examples of
companies who have voluntarily moved beyond what is seen as 'reasonable'
and 'feasible' can overcome this deadlock. This book collects a fine
sample of companies who have taken up their responsibility in this
respect. To quote the editors of this book: "They are cases that might
provide other firms and policy-makers with ideas for innovative
environmental responses that are outside the slowly rising trend of
improvement that we are currently observing: in short, the cases are of
firms and ideas that are ahead of the curve". The editors and many of
the authors of this volume are members of the Greening of Industry
Network and have been debating with one another for years. Founded in
1991, the Greening of Industry Network comprises over 1500 individuals
representing academia, business, public interest, labor and government
from more than 50 countries. Participants work together to build
policies and strategies toward creating a sustainable future through
many vehicles -- coordinating research efforts, publications, planning
and participating in workshops, public forums and conferences. To
provide benefit to broader society, the Network stimulates public
dialogue and brings together academic researchers from many disciplines
with other stakeholders who traditionally do not work together in
coalitions.
