The Voluntary Environmentalists
Green Clubs, ISO 14001, and Voluntary Environmental Regulations

A novel theoretical framework to analyse the effectiveness of voluntary environmental programs, including ISO 14001.

Aseem Prakash (Author), Matthew Potoski (Author)

9780521860413, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 June 2006

226 pages, 12 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.5 kg

'Prakash and Potoski have given us the most theoretically and empirically compelling study of voluntary environmental regulation in political science, economics and public policy combined.' Dan Carpenter, Harvard University

Can businesses voluntarily adopt progressive environmental policies? Most environmental regulations are based on the assumption that the pursuit of profit leads firms to pollute the environment, and therefore governments must impose mandatory regulations. However, new instruments such as voluntary programs are increasingly important. Drawing on the economic theory of club goods, this book offers a theoretical account of voluntary environmental programs by identifying the institutional features that influence conditions under which programs can be effective. By linking program efficacy to club design, it focuses attention on collective action challenges faced by green clubs. Several analytic techniques are used to investigate the adoption and efficacy of ISO 14001, the most widely recognized voluntary environmental program in the world. These analyses show that, while the value of ISO 14001's brand reputation varies across policy and economic contexts, on average ISO 14001 members pollute less and comply better with governmental regulations.

Tables
Figures
List of appendices
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Green clubs: an institutionalist perspective
3. ISO 14001 and voluntary programs
4. Adopting ISO 14001
5. ISO 14001 and firms' performance
6. Conclusions and future directions
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Environment law [LNKJ], International environmental law [LBBP], Business & management [KJ], Political economy [KCP], Environmental economics [KCN], Comparative politics [JPB]