Sugarcane Bioethanol: As sweet as it seems? – A sustainability assessment of the Norwegian company Umoe Bioenergy

Abstract

In a world facing a global climate crisis, the debate about the role and responsibility of the corporate sector in finding a solution rises. While sustainability and green growth are suggested as means to reconcile the objectives of environmental improvements and economic growth, others argue that economic growth and the environment are incompatible. The aim of this thesis is to contribute to the discussion of the business community’s commitment to sustainability. Through a corporate sustainability framework, this thesis explores the case of the Norwegian company Umoe Bioenergy and how it implements the three pillars of sustainability – economic, environmental and social – in its operations and how these pillars are balanced through win-win and trade-off approaches.