From the circular economy to the economy for the common good: Our reading tips help to advance the topics of sustainability and climate protection in companies and provide best practice examples from real life.
Only if the issue of sustainability is taken seriously in companies can we succeed in transforming the economy and society. In view of the ever-increasing climate change and global environmental crises, more and more companies are recognizing this need and are working to make their business models and processes more climate-friendly, environmentally friendly and socially responsible.
An effective one Sustainability strategy can not only improve the ecological balance and fulfill reporting obligations, but also ensure long-term economic success. Especially concepts like that Economy for the common good show that it is possible to combine economic goals with social and ecological benefits. But how can sustainability really be implemented in a company? And which ones Examples of sustainable companies in Germany and beyond already exist?
In our list of recommendations we introduce you to books and magazines that deal intensively with the topic Sustainability in companies and offer valuable insights and suggestions for future-proof corporate management – including freely accessible open access content. Be inspired by practical examples and initiate sustainable change in your company too!
1. “Sustainability in the company”
The book “Sustainability in Companies” offers the perfect introduction and overview of all relevant topics. The authors briefly describe the most important sustainability topics, from climate protection to sustainability in the supply chain to sustainability marketing. Step-by-step instructions provide quick orientation for implementation. Effort estimates and clarification of whether specialist support is needed round off the chapters, and valuable practical examples from committed companies complement the theory.
Order now (book: 26.00 euros | e-book: 20.99 euros)
Softcover | 2023 | 152 pages | by unw – Ulm Initiativkreis Sustainable Economic Development eV (ed.)
2. “The distraction trap”
How can a company that focuses on sustainable business survive on the market when the competition cheats with greenwashing and lobbying? In his book “The Distraction Trap,” Reinhard Schneider, head of Werner & Mertz with the well-known FROSCH brand, provides valuable insights into his entrepreneurial path towards a circular economy and the systemic failure of business, politics and society to protect the environment.
Order now (book: 25.00 euros | e-book: 19.99 euros)
Softcover | 2023 | 264 pages | by Reinhard Schneider
3. “Getting the climate curve”
“Where we are, where we want to go and what we have to do” – in this three-step process, Peter Blenke and Christian Reisinger examine the sectors of energy, industry, buildings, transport as well as food and agriculture in their book “Getting the Climate Curve”. To do this, they show concrete options for action for the state, companies and private individuals in an understandable and comprehensible manner. Both authors come from business practice themselves – Peter Blenke is CEO of Wackler Holding, Christian Reisinger is managing director of the consulting firm ConClimate.
Order now (book: 20.00 euros | e-book: 15.99 euros)
Hardcover | 2023 | 168 pages | by Peter Blenke, Christian Reisinger
Read more: Goals for Sustainable Development – our reading tips for all 17 SDGs
4. »24 true stories about doing and not doing«
What actually happens when a company is not based on financial success but on its contribution to the common good? A different economy is possible, as the editors Karsten Hoffmann, Gitta Walchner and Lutz Dudek show with their book “24 true stories of doing and not doing”. It presents examples of 24 companies that live the values of the common good economy in practice – and are financially successful at the same time.
Download now (book: out of print | e-book free in open access)
Softcover | 2021 | 256 pages | by Karsten Hoffmann (ed.), Gitta Walchner (ed.), Lutz Dudek (ed.)
5. “Green companies”
Frank Thun calls for companies in which responsible action is demanded from the outside and emerges from within. In his book “Companies in Green” he develops a clever mix of business principles and a new understanding of ecological and social needs – and thus provides a practical guide for sustainable corporate management.
Order now (book: 28.00 euros | e-book: 21.99 euros)
Non-fiction | 2024 | 264 pages | by Frank Thun
6. »Corporate Forestry«
Cross-generational planning presents similar tasks to both foresters and managers from other industries. The forester and former corporate manager Christoph M. Scheuren uses this connection in his book “Corporate Forestry” and explains the essential principles of sustainable corporate management using small stories from everyday forestry.
Order now (book: 22.00 euros | e-book: 17.99 euros)
Softcover | 2024 | 136 pages | by Christoph M. Scheuren
7. »Designing a double transformation«
By linking sustainability and digitalization, companies can kill two birds with one stone. The authors of “Shaping Double Transformation” show how this can be achieved in their practical guide, in which they present various digital technologies including innovative good practice examples.
Order now (book: 36.00 euros | e-book free in open access)
Softcover | 2023 | 220 pages | by Jan Quaing, Julia Fink, Beatriz Bilfinger, Fabian Vorländer
8. »Ecological management«
The oekom-science magazine is dedicated to current perspectives for a future-proof, sustainable economy Ecological business. Here, expert voices from science and economic and political practice have their say and discuss changing key topics and the latest research results in detail.
Order now (issue: 21.00 euros | PDF: 17.50 euros | print + digital subscription: from 54.00 euros | digital subscription: from 54.00 euros | available in open access one year after publication)
Scientific journal | 4 issues per year
More books on sustainable business
#naturaloekom: We live sustainability
oekom publishing house is not only committed to sustainability in terms of content, but is also making progress in production and distribution with a voluntary commitment to sustainable publishing. Our books are produced in a climate-friendly manner and are mostly printed on recycled paper. You can read detailed information about how oekom is actively committed to greater sustainability in the oekom section of course.
