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An Inquiry into the Green Disciplining of Capital

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  • Jody Emel

    (Graduate School of Geography and George Perkins Marsh Institute, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610, USA)

Abstract

‘Following the money’ has become a popular strategy for many NGOs trying to change corporate and institutional practice. Individual shareholders, pension funds, banks, and other investors capitalize projects that cause ecological degradation or social injustice. Pressuring shareholders to divest, invest responsibly, or encourage executives to alter undesirable practices has become de rigueur for civil-society groups working for social change. Such strategies produce value or norm change, greater accountability, activist networks across national boundaries, and improvements in environmental management. Disinvestment helped bring down apartheid in South Africa. But how far can these ‘disciplining’ strategies go in terms of significantly ameliorating ecological destruction and violations of human rights? I explore this question using the case study of the campaign by Friends of the Earth against the operations of Freeport – McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. in Irian Jaya (West Papua).

Suggested Citation

  • Jody Emel, 2002. "An Inquiry into the Green Disciplining of Capital," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 34(5), pages 827-843, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:34:y:2002:i:5:p:827-843
    DOI: 10.1068/a3428
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Clark, Gordon, 2000. "Pension Fund Capitalism," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199240487.
    2. Charkham, Jonathan & Simpson, Anne, 1999. "Fair Shares: The Future of Shareholder Power and Responsibility," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198292142.
    3. Kuttner, Robert, 1999. "Everything for Sale," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 1, number 9780226465555, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Trina Hamilton, 2013. "Beyond Market Signals: Negotiating Marketplace Politics and Corporate Responsibilities," Economic Geography, Clark University, vol. 89(3), pages 285-307, July.
    2. Andrea B. Coulson, 2009. "How should banks govern the environment? Challenging the construction of action versus veto," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(3), pages 149-161, March.
    3. Frederiksen, Tomas, 2018. "Corporate social responsibility, risk and development in the mining industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 495-505.
    4. Trina Hamilton, 2009. "Power in Numbers: A Call for Analytical Generosity toward New Political Strategies," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 41(2), pages 284-301, February.

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