The role of the economy in the context of "Environment and Security"
Client: Federal Ministry of the Environment
Project Partners: oekom research AG
Duration: 12.2003 - 03.2005
Only a small number of enterprises generates its profits through ammunition trade or in goods and services directly related to the military. The vast majority of all enterprises suffer substantial losses from any kind of armed conflict in the affected country and in bordering countries. Nearly all branches of the economy therefore have a crucial interest in a peaceful and stable environment for their economic activities.
On the other hand, the question arises to what degree the business sector can help prevent or narrow down conflicts. The endeavors to integrate the private sector with programs aimed at tackling poverty by establishing Public- Private- Partnerships (PPP) are approaches to reach this goal.
Until now, there are no investigations that deal with the connection between the everyday business activity of enterprises and the possible consequences these activities have for conflict constellations. However, the conflict dimension of these economic transactions should no longer be neglected.
Adelphi Research has been commissioned by the Federal Ministry of the Environment together with its partner oekom research AG to carry out an analysis on the role of enterprises in the context of Environment and Security.
The cycle of the project is divided into four sections:
- Scientific analysis of the environment related activities of the private sector that either aggravate or alleviate environmentally induced conflicts.
- Examination of the role of government aid, in particular of PPP, to activate environment-based activity of the business sector (Objective: a collection of Best Practice Cases).
- Examination of Codes of Conduct as to whether they include statements on the role of the business sector in the context of Environment and Security. In this context, the actual application of Codes of Conduct will also be examined.
- Preparation and realization of a national expert dialogue with representatives of the German government, the parliament, federal agencies, organizations, enterprises and the science community.
Contact:
Alexander Carius, carius@adelphi-research.de
Adelphi Research gGmbH, Caspar-Theyss-Str. 14a, 14193 Berlin, www.adelphi-research.org
Fon: +49-30-89 000 68-0, Fax: +49-30-89 000 68-10, Email: office@adelphi-research.org