From a commercial viewpoint - Why Go Green?
It is a fact - Management systems save money! They build in efficiency, reduce problems, plan to minimise the effect of emergencies and build in evidence of legislative compliance.
Consumers want to buy from green business - so long as it does not cost more. What a good thing that a well planned system saves money and increases profits. Many businesses find that they have access to a bigger range of markets and/or premium priced markets.
Employees like to work for green businesses and it is good to be able to attract and retain a workforce who want to want to work for your business and care about your real and perceived image.
You will have better relationships with regulators, neighbours and pressure groups.
Even if you don’t care about the environment, there are very sound financial reasons why going green makes sense.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:19 am
The “real or perceived image” of being GREEN.
Being GREEN does not make a business sustainable and/or environmentally friendly… In most cases it is merely a mask that covers the flaws in the economic, social and ecological fundamental systems that created the unsustainable practices of the modern world in the first place.
But not to be the eternal pessimist, and in order to improve the true GREEN image of the commercial world, there is a great need for businesses to source their goods and services from, ideally, within their own resources, or from the closest supplier/provider (not the cheapest). Thus reducing your dependencies on goods and services from farther afield. Sourcing from close to home will not only boost the economic performance of the local region, but will also reduce the risks associated with transport and travel, save time and money with scouting about for the best deal and waiting for orders to be filled and ultimately and more importantly provide the true and realized incentive for landholders, businesses, suppliers and individuals to protect and improve their own turf (the immediate environment and ecosystems that you all see each day).
Remember that “Think Globally Act Locally” is not just a fancy catch cry, but extends directly into the core of a sustainable business.
January 25th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
thank you John. Buying locally is certainly one way to reduce the impacts of travel but there are many other ways that eacg business can effectively reduce their environmental impact and have real economic benefits at the same time.
Done well, this is certinly NOT the often seen “geen washing” to give an improved image but REAL SUSTAINABLE BENEFITS for both the environment and the bottom line. It goes way beyong the buy locally. I have many business clients who export food around the world but they do run sustainable businesses because they manage their other impacts well.
Check out http://enviroaction.com.au/l2/ for more information on truly greening your business, reducing risk and increasing the business profits at the same time
May 4th, 2008 at 3:25 am
In Australia the ACCC (company and consumer commission) is attacking “greenwash” now, with a new regulation aabout show the data or put up. They have some major convictions already