Colleagues, I have been using
The Green to Gold Business Playbook by Esty and Simmons for many years as one of the texts in my Managing Organizations for Environmental Sustainability class, with good results. (I also use
Foundations of Sustainable Business, 2nd Ed. by Sanders & Wood which takes a very different approach, and together they seem to work well).
Esty and Simmons provide many suggested lists of actions that businesses can engage in with regards to various corporate environmental management practices and tools, as well as the many examples of cost savings and revenue enhancements that companies have experienced as they have taken these actions. Students appreciate both of these features, and together they help make a strong business case for sustainability and guidance for how to improve a firm's sustainability.
The problem is that at this point the book was published ten years ago, and I am beginning to fear that the credibility of the information may be beginning to be called into question.
I am curious as to how those of you who have used
The Green to Gold Business Playbook feel about this, whether you have gotten any complaints that it is dated, whether you have found another book or source that provides updated information on economic benefits of sustainable practices, or any other actions you have taken to address these concerns.
My spring classes just got rescheduled so that I will be teaching the sustainable business course again, so I have to get my book order in very quickly, and am wondering if it is time to retire the Esty and Simmons book.
Thanks in advance for any input!
Gordon
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Gordon Rands
Western Illinois University
Macomb IL
(309) 298-1535
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