What are the corporations’ responsibilities concerning the environment?

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What are the corporations’ responsibilities concerning the environment?
Throwaway plastic bottles have had a major impact on the environment across the globe. Coca-Cola is the leading soft drink company in the world with over 500 brands and operations in countries within the Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Latin America, and North America. As leading producers and marketers of consumer beverages, the company has contributed substantially to the environmental impact associated with the throwaway plastic bottles. Although the company does not review the number of plastic bottles generated, estimates show that the sales might be about 100 billion pieces per year (Bawden). This is a substantial amount considering that there are other environmental issues associated with the company due to its high usage of water, which is the main ingredient of its commodities. Being a top producer implies that the company is a top consumer of energy. This includes energy for production practices and refrigeration, among other aspects such as transportation. Like other top organizations with a global reach and large customer based, the company has for long been strategizing and implementing solutions that are inherent in addressing environmental challenges. This includes increasing efficiency in water use in the manufacturing process by engaging local governments to ensure there is quality management of water sources and high internal efficiencies, minimal packaging and investment in recycling plants, and efficiency in energy use through customized energy-management systems (Vedwan 660). Although this highlights efforts for the company’s environmental responsibility, I feel that the company should do more to enhance transparency in its activities and offer sustainable solutions that help address its contribution to environmental degradation. My position is premised on the notion that companies such as Coca-Cola, which is a multinational with a substantial market share, have a large impact on the environment in both the use of resources and the waste generated at the end of the supply chain. This is evident in the growing impact of the one-use plastic bottles in different ecosystems, including land and water resources. To address such issues, there is a need for commitment by the company through its corporate social responsibilities to minimize the impact the business has on the environment. This implies that the company should integrate social and environmental concerns in the business on a voluntary basis. Understanding the contribution the company should make to environmental sustainability requires transparency and engagement in national and international efforts aimed at protecting the environment. Furthermore, the prevailing environmental challenges cannot be addressed by a company that is isolated from the larger society.
Corporate social responsibility is important in ensuring accountability to a wide range of stakeholders apart from the shareholders and investors. Environmental responsibility is among the key areas that the businesses can contribute to the wellbeing of workers and the community they target. The environmental responsibilities upheld by the company are important due to t...