engleski

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR: THE CASE OF CROATIA

The environment is becoming an increasingly important issue for financial institutions. They significantly influence the state of the environment and quality of living of the local community they operate in. A responsible approach toward the environment may result in different tangible and intangible benefits for financial institutions. Besides that, due to they have a potential impact on a large number of stakeholders, they can contribute to the implementation of the concept of sustainable development in practice. The aim of the paper was to study the commitment of the management of financial institutions to environmental issues and sustainable development. The author has analysed the attitudes and practical experience of environmental management in banks, considering their predominant share and significance in the financial sector of Croatia. The research has indicated that the majority of banks are conscious of their influence and responsibility toward the environment and the community they operate in. But, in their business practice many activities related to that topics, which have been already applied in some banks in Croatia and in many more abroad, have not been applied sufficiently.

environmental management; sustainable development; financial sector; banks; Croatia

Rad je predstavljen i prihvaćen za objavljivanje. Tiskanje zbornika planirano je za siječanj 2006.