The study of business interests adds an important dimension to our understanding of the development of international environmental agreements. Contrasting the role of business interests in the case of ozone depletion and climate change is crucial to explain why climate change is a much more complex issue for the international community to decide. In the case of ozone depletion, the concentration of industry and technological factors have created incentives for industry leaders to invest in alternative products and processes. Unlike fossil fuel substitutes present a long term strategic threat to the main sectors that produce and use these fuels. Where relatively few actors were involved in the destruction of the ozone layer, it will be much harder to work out an agreement that is acceptable to a wide range of industries affected by climate change. However, the business has a significant impact on the timing and modalities of international environmental agreements, even when there is considerable fragmentation in the business ranks. "Hide
by David L. Levy Source: California Management Review 19 pages. Publication Date: April 1, 1997. Prod. #: CMR081-PDF-ENG
Related Case Solutions & Analyses:
Scaling: How China-Based VanceInfo Grows Big Fast
Yieldex (B)
Finding Forming and Performing: Creating Networks for Discontinuous Innovation
Achieving Optimal Agreements
Alan Kendricks at Cardiology Associates
Schibsted
Waterloo Regional Police Services: The CIMS Project (C)
ASIMCO: Developing Human Capital in China
CRU Computer Rentals
ING Bank of Canada (A): Launch of a Direct Bank
