Environmentally Sustainable Business Approach - Term Paper Example

The paper “Socio-Economic Terms and Environmentally Sustainable Approach to Business in Brazil and South Africa " is a convincing example of a term paper on social science. Besides their differences, Brazil and South Africa share notable common features. Both countries are multi-racial and industrial nations comprising of both whites and black citizens. Brazil and South Africa both face heightened challenges of poverty, new political institutions, and post-colonial inequalities. South Africa, however, has a relatively small population and the economy as compared to Brazil.

South Africa has strived to pursue policies recognizing the opportunities and risks attributed to economic globalization. The countries emerge beyond their socio-economic and socio-political constraints to attain bargaining power in the global economic arena. South Africa, for instance, has been pursuing economic liberalization agenda similar to Brazil (Beath et al., 2008). Viable Sustainable Businesses Several business opportunities have the potential to prosper in both South Africa and Brazil.

Based on the proximity to the global market, regional location in relation to favorable diplomatic and economic ties as well as internal governance system and structure, a business can take different perspectives. Sustainable business ventures such as sustainable tourism, agriculture, and transport would ensure their own existence over time despite unfolding constraints such as global economic recession, inflation, and climate change. Tourism is among the most environmentally sustainable economic activities that have the potential to prosper in either of the countries.

Brazil has some of the most spectacular tourist attraction sites in the world including the Christ the Redeemer Statue located in Rio de Janeiro. It also has beaches and cultural sites important for fun and refreshment. South Africa also has tourist attraction sites such as Kruger National Park and the Cradle of Man Kind Museum. Agricultural production is also a sustainable venture in these two countries. The countries both have a rapidly growing population that needs to feed. Therefore, the issue of food security comes up as a pressing factor towards embracing agricultural production, especially among the majority of youths.

Agricultural production encompasses subsistence and commercial dimension whereby the produce would be consumed both locally and internationally. The transport sector has the potential to be made sustainable and would thrive even under whatever constraints. Both South Africa and Brazil have some of the world’s best-established transport systems such as the Johannesburg international airport and Rio de Janeiro airport An environmentally sustainable business approach to businesses Environmental awareness and the necessity to maintain a sustainable environment requires businesses to develop environmental-friendly strategies.

Based on the principle, sustainable development practices are inevitable. In conformity with sustainability principles, businesses must consider the interest of both the present and future generations. Businesses in the two countries must consider reducing the amount of consumption of new raw materials for production. Overconsumption of raw materials means, that energy loss is high along the course of industrial ecology. Both Brazil and the South already experience natural resource constraints. As such, they should consider intensifying efforts towards serious waste recycling.

Through waste recycling, two advantages shall accrue. First, the amount of energy required externally for production shall reduce significantly along with the industrial ecology. Second, there would be an expansion of production industries. Expansion of the production industry is justified because some industries use wastes from other industries as raw materials in their production line. Environmental sustainability is not realistic with a long, complex, and sophisticated supply chain. Transportation of raw materials, for example, should take the shortest routes and channels possible.

When implemented, sustainability in the transport sector will cause a reduction in air pollution given the reduced logistics involved. In addition, delays that would otherwise enhance chances of loss would also reduce significantly. Brazil and South Africa both have well-established transport networks including roads, air, and rail. The business proponents should use transport networks as key prerequisites for environmental sustainability. To avoid other effects attributed to international trade such as pollution attributed to overseas trade, both South Africa and Brazil should embrace regional trading through bilateral patterns.

For instance, South Africa could trade within and with its immediate economic bloc, South African Development Community. Trading regionally may reduce losses associated with argosies in overseas transit, promote market certainty and reduce international pollution. Brazil could also consider trading within the South American bloc. Bilateral trade also promotes a good relationship and regional togetherness.  National and multinational companies must diversify production to incorporate eco-friendly and or green products.

For instance, instead of producing plastic paper bag packages, the companies should produce biodegradable and re-usable paper bags that would last longer before final disposal to degrade. On the other hand, such companies should advise duly on how to re-use and manage non-biodegradable items throughout their life cycle. Both Brazilian and South African countries could both achieve these diversifications because they may not require intensive capital allocation to initiate and accomplish (Beath et al., 2008). Promotion of value addition in finished products and innovation for unfinished and used up products has three advantages.

First, it expands a product’s scope for consumption by a diverse group of consumers. Second, it promotes self-sustenance within the company in terms of consumption. Third, it reduces material input for production thereby conserving environmental raw materials. Adding value to finished products may appear costly in the short run but would be relatively cheap to cope with in the end.