As individuals, we have responsibilities. Corporations and businesses have social responsibilities as well. However, often times we sidetrack from our ethical duties in the pursue of wealth and our own self-interests. British Petroleum, in this report, has completely neglected business ethics. Since the first lawsuits were filed in 2010 regarding the Texas refinery, British Petroleum has denied every claim that people were harmed by the 17,000 pounds of benzene emission. Now British Petroleum may find itself in court for the cases involving the refinery in Texas and also the suits in Louisiana for the biggest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. British Petroleum should have taken matter into their hands immediately. This way they will not appear impervious to the issues at hand. Maybe it’s time for British Petroleum to focus on environmental sustainability rather than their own self-interest of economic growth. Including this factor in to the bigger picture and maintaining the companies ethics and reputation will definitely help the company’s growth in the long term.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/us-business/trial-begins-against-bp-over-texas-refinery-emissions/article14262256/