Environmental Regulation and the History of Capitalism: The Role of Business from Stockholm 1972 to the Climate Crisis

This edited collection examines the historical role of business actors in climate and environmental governance since the 1970s. Through a compilation of recent, evidence-based historical research, this book unveils the origins of contemporary challenges in regulating environmental pollution. With original case studies, it offers a nuanced understanding of the environmental counter-offensive orchestrated by business leaders, associations, and think tanks post-1972, following the United Nations' pivotal Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Readers are presented with insights into the historical maneuvers of business entities aimed at mitigating regulatory risks, co-creating expertise, and framing the environmental debate. From revealing the tactics employed by various business actors to exploring the emergence of market-driven environmentalism, this volume offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate dynamics shaping environmental policy. By contextualizing specificities and complexities, it enriches contemporary narratives on business influence and power dynamics within global capitalism. This book primarily caters to scholars across diverse historical disciplines, including business history, international relations, environmental history, and the history of capitalism. Additionally, it holds relevance for social scientists studying contemporary issues, policymakers grappling with environmental challenges, and those seeking a deeper understanding of the historical dimensions of climate governance.

The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.

Sandra Bott is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Sabine Pitteloud is an Assistant Professor of Contemporary History at UniDistance Suisse, Switzerland.

Janick Marina Schaufelbuehl is an Associate Professor of International History at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland.