CEA Environmental Ethics & Sustainability 1

Question 1

Which concept defines sustainable development as meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs?

Accepted Answer

Intergenerational equity

Answer

Intergenerational equity, popularized by the Brundtland Commission's 1987 report, defines sustainable development as balancing current needs while preserving resources for future generations.

Question 2

What is 'greenwashing' in the context of corporate environmental ethics?

Accepted Answer

Misrepresenting environmental practices or benefits to appear more sustainable than reality

Answer

Greenwashing occurs when an organization makes misleading or unsubstantiated claims about its environmental practices, violating honesty and transparency ethics.

Question 3

The Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework requires organizations to measure performance across which three dimensions?

Accepted Answer

People, planet, and profit

Answer

The Triple Bottom Line framework, coined by John Elkington, expands success metrics beyond profit to include social (people) and environmental (planet) performance.

Question 4

Which international agreement set legally binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions among signatory nations?

Accepted Answer

The Kyoto Protocol

Answer

The Kyoto Protocol (1997) established the first legally binding greenhouse gas reduction commitments for developed nations, unlike the Paris Agreement which relies on voluntary nationally determined contributions.

Question 5

An organization's ethical duty to proactively identify and mitigate potential environmental harms before they occur best describes which principle?

Accepted Answer

The precautionary principle

Answer

The precautionary principle holds that when an action raises threats of harm to the environment or human health, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established.

(CEA) Certified Ethics Associate Practice Test

(CEA) Certified Ethics Associate Practice Test

CEA Environmental Ethics & Sustainability 1