Final answer:
The amount billed to the customer for sustainability services is $5,000. This question pertains to business and financial decisions companies make based on costs and incentives, like pollution charges and the associated reduction costs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question revolves around the billing of services for sustainability and a concept in environmental economics. When the company billed a customer $5,000 for sustainability services provided, the amount billed is $5,000. This is a straightforward question within the realm of accounting and business transactions.
In the context provided about pollution charges and reduction costs, we understand that companies make financial decisions based on costs and incentives. For example, if a pollution charge is set at $1,000, a firm is inclined to reduce pollution, especially if the cost of doing so ($900) is less than the charge itself.
Likewise, when comparing pollution reduction strategies, firms opt for the one with the least cost, such as marketable permits over mandated reductions, which in the provided example, results in a total cost of $59,500 vs the more expensive alternative.