Radical environmentalism and corporate environmental responsibility: does a country's GDP per capita matter for environmental justice?

Purpose – Existing research on corporate responsibility (CR) initiatives suggests that Global North (GN) economies with high gross domestic product (GDP) per capita appear to have high environmental awareness. Our study examines this observation, exploring its impact on corporate environmental responsibility (CER) on the one hand and the rise of radical environmentalism on the other. It further examines the implications of these dynamics for environmental justice in the Global South (GS). Design/methodology/approach – A critical review of existing literature and statistical testing using secondary data is employed to assess how the GN corporate actors operating in the GS may have implicit interests in maintaining low environmental awareness regarding the environmental and societal impacts in the GS. The study also employs and applies a normative ethical framework to demonstrate the importance of CER in the context of environmental, intergenerational and social global justice. Findings – Our findings suggest that while a high GDP per capita fosters stronger CER in the GN, GDP per capita is also associated with the frequency and intensity of radical environmentalism. Movements that resulted in adverse outcomes, such as violence and deaths, are more likely to occur in the GS compared with the GN. Additionally, GN corporations exhibit a higher proportion of high-quality environmental performance, indicating greater environmental awareness than those in the GS. However, this heightened environmental awareness in the GN often excludes corporate considerations of equity and environmental justice in the GS. From a normative ethical standpoint, economies in the GN have responsibilities toward communities and ecosystems in the GS. Research limitations/implications – This study initiates a scholarly discourse based on secondary data. Future research should incorporate empirical case studies and larger data sets to assess corporate practices in the GS and their implications for environmental justice. Practical implications – The findings underscore the need for corporate accountability mechanisms that move beyond symbolic CR efforts or environmental, social, governance (ESG) compliance to address systemic environmental inequalities in the GS. Social implications – Addressing environmental justice requires interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration to bridge the awareness gap between the GN and the GS, ensuring more equitable sustainability efforts. Originality/value – This article offers a novel critique of the intersection between economic development, corporate strategic interests, and environmental impact from a GN and GS perspective, supported by both statistical testing and a normative ethical framework.