The role of law in the context of sustainable development: qualitative evaluation of program for corporate social responsibility

Abstract

The paper’s objective is to evaluate, through a qualitative approach, the (in) effectiveness of some corporate programs for environmental responsibility, with focus on sustainable development. The study sought to identify the costs and benefits involved with the implementation of models of socioenvironmental responsible corporate management, the possibility to conciliate economic development with environmental preservation, as well as the role of law in this sustainability process. The research methodology was a literature review and qualitative and empirical descriptions. Content analysis was performed on the answers of semi structured inquiries obtained through individual interviews. The survey indicated that there was some effectiveness in the implementation of corporate programs and projects of social and environmental responsibility studied. It was concluded that economic growth and environmental protection established in articles 170 and 225 of the Federal Constitution (FC) are compatible and interdependent and mutually reinforcing goals. The study showed that the Social Responsibility programs allowed the reduction of negative environmental impacts in the activities of the institutions. The article is original and relevant, since the evaluation of the effectiveness of environmental responsibility programs can contribute to the improvement of corporate policies and strategies as well as contributing to scientific development in the field of environmental law.