An article in the Vancouver Sun discusses the disapproval of Surrey citizen’s to build a new coal terminal in Surrey. It was mentioned how the coal terminal passed an environmental test, but some experts found it failed to pass basic health tests.

The primary goal for a business is to make profit. At times businesses must ignore certain variables, in this case the health of Surrey citizens and the environment, to gain profit. Having a coal terminal in Surrey will provide more jobs and boost the overall economy in Surrey, but at what cost? Is it worth the health risks to gain money? This would qualify for the environmental and political aspect of the PEST analysis. In terms of environmental, the company faces external pressure to do what is environmentally correct, but if they don’t build a coal terminal they won’t be profiting. The political aspect is legalities with building a coal terminal which include permits and provincial regulations on environmental protection. This is a classic case of corporate responsibility and how, even though they know what they are doing might be wrong, they must make money.

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Surrey+coal+terminal+passes+environment+test/9182064/story.html

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