Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility (ECSR) on the Example of Polish Champion Oil, Gas and Mining Companies

Magdalena Suska

doi:10.3390/su13116179

Abstract

The author uses empirical research to assess the environmental practices of the Polish champion oil, gas and mining companies to show that they are involved in Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility (ECSR). This paper investigates the tools such companies apply to implement the ECSR and the actions they undertake to reduce their environmental footprint. The community and environmental impact are inherent in the business activities of such companies. The author analyses the annual integrated reports published by Polish leading oil, gas and mining companies—PKN ORLEN, PGNiG and KGHM Polska Miedź—published in 2014–2019 in terms of environmental and climate responsibility. The ECSR initiatives undertaken by these companies are analyzed with regard to four categories: (1) water and wastewater management, (2) air emissions, (3) waste management and circular economy concept, and (4) energy management. All analyzed companies identify, supervise and monitor environmental issues, apply environmentally friendly technologies and techniques to reduce emissions to the environment and the amount of waste and wastewater, enable the effective use of natural resources in order to meet the new environmental challenges in the circular economy, and participate in R & D projects regarding new technologies.

Highlights

In a dynamically developing market economy, there can be observed an increased interest in the concept of the business management based on conscious activities oriented to financial profits and towards good social and environmental practices
The primary aim of this study is to analyze the tools of the Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility (ECSR) implemented by Polish champion companies operating in the oil, gas and mining industries as well as to investigate the initiatives and good practices they undertake in terms of the environment and the climate
The presentation and interpretation of the results focuses on the analysis of these firms in a variety of aspects related to the ECSR

Summary

Introduction

In a dynamically developing market economy, there can be observed an increased interest in the concept of the business management based on conscious activities oriented to financial profits and towards good social and environmental practices. The company’s activities affect its owners, managers and stockholders, and local communities and the other subjects they have a direct and indirect impact on. It has been emphasized that companies should take responsibility for all decisions and actions undertaken towards the whole group of stakeholders, such as different people, institutions and the environment, and the companies’ responsibilities extend beyond traditional economic and legal obligations [1,2,3,4]. (The impact of the implementation of the CSR activities on various groups of stakeholders can be quite broad. In [5], the authors distinguish between employees, the local community, clients, contractors and the natural environment).

Objectives

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion