More than half of its mines throughout the world are disputed among local people, claims a report from World Development Movement in 1996. RTZ is said to have released large amounts of toxic waste and pollute rivers in several countries. Confronted by these facts, a representative of Storebrand said they would pull out of RTZ, but this has so far not been confirmed. Today, throughout the world, transnational corporations recognise a growing global 'green market' in goods and services, and they want to live up to the new demands. Trade associations have made major recommendations for corporate environmental performance improvements.
Some trade associations have a long record of involvement in environmental matters.
One might, however, ask how deep is this involvement. While portraying itself as a tool for sustainable management, the term 'sustainable development' appears only in the title and in one sub-paragraph, says Gleckman. Another report from ICC, From ideas to action, consists of environmentally good case studies from various industrial sectors, but does not mention problem cases or lessons to be learnt from corporate mistakes. Gleckman concludes that business cannot be expected to author its own regulation. Perhaps, the commercial use of green slogans should not surprise anyone.