GEF

Unit 8  |  Government and Sustainability 175 8.4  Do Businesses Benefit from Regulation? Criticism of environmental regulation is frequently heard in the media and from business lobby groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Less evident are the instances where particular companies benefit from environmental regulation. There is an increasing body of research and case studies showing that businesses benefit both from regulation and from voluntary programs that improve environmental performance. An example is the defense and engineering company Raytheon, which was required by the Montreal Protocol and SUSTAINABILITY CONCEPTS In the U.S., the fossil fuel industry receives roughly $40 billion in federal subsidies per year. This includes funding for ongoing production and exploration for new resources, such as coal and oil. Renewable energy is also subsidized, but many believe that until the government stops supporting the production and use of fossil fuels, the renewable energy industry will always be at disadvantage.