The Companies’ Behavior in the Context of Sustainable Development

Abstract

One of the key problems of our time is the constantly changing environment and the scarcity of non-renewable natural resources. In this context the governments all around the world are making a lot of effort both to try to preserve the environment and the resources and to keep and even to enhance the economic development of their countries. On the other hand, people are getting more and more concerned about the future of the planet and are more and more demanding to the business and to the governments. All this inevitably reflects directly on the companies and they are trying to keep abreast of reality. The current article will discuss the main characteristics of the sustainable development and the green economy as well as present some of the actions the SMEs take in order to respond to the increasing expectations of their clients, to be in compliance with the sustainable development trends and at the same time to stay competitive on the market. Such actions are participation in emission trading schemes, greening of the supply chains etc.