The global aim of sustainable economic management requires companies to make strategic decisions that have to go far beyond additive environmental protection and enhanced eco-efficiency. In this connection, the book clarifies the term “environmental achievement” and sets out the measures needed for lasting environmental improvement. By analogy with the EFQM model, a set of self-evaluation instruments is developed. The criteria catalogues used by the authors were developed and tested in close cooperation with five medium-sized companies in the house construction sector and the drinks industry. Other environmental management systems (e.g. under the EU Eco-Audit Regulation or ISO 14001 ff) can thus also comprehend the qualitative leap into the strategic phase of sustainable development. At the same time, an important bridge is built between the micro-economic sector and national environmental policy.