Determinants of Green Practices in the Petrochemical Sector: An Empirical Study

This paper discusses the determinants of green practices and incorporates some empirical findings from a recent study in the petrochemical sector in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The study was comprised of a survey and follow-up interviews with senior executives who participated in the survey. Of fourteen companies involved, the findings affirmed that the investigation of accidents, provision of an emergency response, employee training, decreasing the production of wastes, and pre-treating wastes before disposal should be stressed. Government requirement, the economic reasons and public pressures were the driving forces of green practices. The five most important determinants identified include performance evaluation, financial justification, impacts on company, management leadership and operations integration. Implementing environmental management systems as a feasible approach to green practices in the petrochemical sector was explored. The findings provide guidance that helps organisations to accommodate the determinants of green practices into achieving sustainable environmental goals.