Emissions Trading and Corporate Sustainability Management

The introduction of Emissions Trading (ET) on 1.1.2005 in Europe represents an institutional innovation and a significant change in the existing framework for many microeconomic activities. Likewise Corporate Sustainability Management proves to be a new challenge and a necessity for future-oriented companies to ensure profitability and competitiveness as well as legitimisation and public reputation. This paper outlines the main characteristics of Corporate Sustainability Management and investigates theimpact of ET as a market-based instrument for environmental policy regarding the possibilities for sustainability-oriented management. Potentials forintersection management with the identification of success factors and triple-win situations are pointed out as well as prospects for structural policy and norm-setting activities. Stating the limits of market-based instruments and monetary regulation, it becomes obvious that additional non-economic incentives and ethical behaviour in the form of accepting 'sustainability responsibility' are necessary for meeting the demands of sustainability.