Multinational Corporations: Corporate Social Responsibility versus Environmental Problems

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a subject of major concern and discussion in today’s world. The need for the local people to benefit from their resources is a noble gesture, which those involved in extracting their resources should uphold if poverty is to be addressed among millions affected by the scourge. This paper aimed to understand Multinational Corporation’s (MNCs) role in promoting CSRvis-à-visenvironmental problems arising from their operations in selected parts of the world. The study mainly generated and used qualitative data through desk review of literature on MNCs involved in agriculture, logging, pharmaceuticals and extractive industries such as minerals, gas and oil. The study revealed that hitherto, local people’s needs have remained unheededby MNCs, their rights are being violated and their environments have undergone irreparable damages. The realisation of all human rights: civil and political rights, social, economic and cultural rights, and the collective-developmental rights, the right to the clean environment, which every nation involved in any economic activity should achieve have been elusive in communities which are richly endowed with natural resources at the expense of profit maximisation by the MNCs in a bid to further enhance their economic might. This has resulted in massive suffering for the locals where MNCs operate or have abandoned their activities after depleting the resources without leaving any tangible infrastructure such as clinics, schools, roads, recreation facilities, and piped water.