Implementation of Pro-Environmental Policy in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Selected Countries of Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

Preventing degradation of the natural environment is a duty that a contemporary society has to fulfil. Global threats include mainly: the greenhouse effect, destruction of the ozone layer, loss of biodiversity, non-sustainable use of resources and reduction of the planet’s capacity for absorption of pollution and waste. Preventing the negative impact of economic processes on the natural environment is one of the priorities of the EU policy. Despite their diversity, EU countries pursue their goals on their way to a green economy. An improvement in the natural environment largely depends on the pro-environmental measures taken by small and medium-sized enterprises. The aim of the study is to present and compare the present state and barriers experienced in implementation of pro-environmental policy in small and medium-sized enterprises in selected countries of Central and Eastern Europe: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. KEYWORDS: environmental protection, small and medium-sized enterprises, development of regions. JEL CODES: Q01, G11 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15181/rfds.v20i3.1342