21. Environmental

21.1 List any environmental problems or actions taken.
21.2 Do any patterns emerge in terms of these events?
21.3 List any environmental organizations that have been monitoring or taking action against the company. Find out more about them.

A firm’s envi­ron­men­tal record is another mea­sure of their cor­po­rate respon­si­bil­ity. Envi­ron­men­tal issues extend far beyond the work­place and many have a sig­nif­i­cant impact on the larger community. In their organizing campaign at hog giant Smithfield, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) identified massive environmental problems which it used to build a larger community campaign.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides information on environmental regulation and compliance.  You can search their Enforcement & Compliance History Online (ECHO) by both employer and location.

The Right to Know Network is a clearinghouse for a number of databases from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency including: Toxic Release (TRI); Spills and Accidents (ERNS); Risk Management (RMP); Hazardous Waste (BRS & RCRIS); and Superfund (CERCLIS).

States may also have departments that investigate environmental violations.  An example from Massachusetts here.

The Environmental Defense Fund also provides selected environmental information on individual firms.

Good Jobs First’s Violation Tracker may provide information on a company’s environmental violations.

Remember to conduct a general news search, as serious environmental issues are newsworthy.  It is also useful to check with major environmental justice organizations to see if they have campaigns involving your company.  Check with Sierra Club, Greenpeace, 350, USPIRG, and state-level organizations.

Paid Resources (Subscription Required)

The ESG Manager on Campus from MSCI rates firms on environmental, social and corporate governance criteria.