Article

 

DID COVID-19 FORCE GREEK CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES TOWARD GREEN PRACTICES? (p.13-33)

by

Antonia DELISTAVROU, INTERNATIONAL HELLENIC UNIVERSITY

Irene TILIKIDOU, INTERNATIONAL HELLENIC UNIVERSITY

Keywords : Green Practices, COVID-19, Chemical Industry

JEL classification : M31, Q01

Abstract

The quantitative part of this study revealed that there is a considerable portion of companies that neglect to replace fossil fuels, green certificates, or other measures towards reducing emissions. On the other hand, the industries increase their recycling efforts. Marketing and managerial factors, such as image and morale of employees, are more substantial incentives towards green practices than actual pro-environmental factors, such as reduction of either water and energy consumption or carbon dioxide emissions. The importance of corporate image and reputation as well as compliance with regulations tends to increase while the significance of hygiene and safety conditions was dramatically raised due to COVID-19. Qualitative techniques offered unforeseen aspects. The experts’ positive attitudes towards sustainability were highlighted. However, the interviews revealed considerable delay in adopting green practices by the Greek cosmetics and detergents industries. The alleged impact of the pandemic on green production practices is not yet apparent in the experts’ testimonies. It is the national and European regulations and funding that seem to drive any pro-environmental changes in chemical industries. In addition, the executives underlined the role of marketing as the most crucial factor in any firm’s response to society’s constantly growing environmental concerns.