Corporate Environmental Responsibility: Capitalism, Legitimacy, and Ecological Harm Through the Lens of Green Criminology

Abstract

This paper explores Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER) through the lens of green 
criminology, offering a novel perspective on how capitalist-driven industrial activities contrib
ute to environmental degradation. Integrating insights from the Treadmill of Production (ToP) 
and Legitimacy theories, it argues that the relentless pursuit of profit accelerates ecological 
harm through resource extraction (ecological withdrawal) and pollution (ecological addition). 
These activities heighten global sustainability challenges, including climate change, biodiversi
ty loss, and resource scarcity. Companies increasingly adopt CER practices not merely as vol
untary environmental stewardship but as a strategic response to legitimacy risks arising from 
these ecological impacts. By positioning themselves as environmentally responsible, organiza
tions aim to maintain public trust, reduce regulatory scrutiny, and align with stakeholder expec
tations. This paper contributes to the literature by offering a theoretical understanding of CER's 
origin, situating it within broader global environmental concerns, and emphasizing CER's role 
in mitigating ecological and reputational risks in energy-intensive sectors.