Is GREEN your favourite Business colour?For the most part, citizens of the UK have been fairly passive about the environment compared to our fellow Europeans. Sure, we all make positive sounds about maintaining a world for future generations to enjoy, but the truth is that self interest always seems to lead the way. “That’s unfair”, I hear you shout... Well watch out for the next time a protest occurs because a wind farm has been proposed near to a village and the residents are protesting. Or what about the public resistance against burning waste, as most of France already does, and re-using the energy created. Surely it makes sense when our capacity in our land fill sites is quickly becoming exhausted? Are we really that selfish that it’s too much of a bother to try and recycle the waste that we generate? In truth, I don’t think that it’s a lack of morality on most people’s part...it’s simply a case of complacency. That same complacency exists in business where the ready excuse is that life is hard enough trying to make profits without the constraint and costs of behaving responsibly as far as the environment goes. Various UK Governments have tried to address reducing our impact on the environment. It’s over 10 years since legislation was passed to force the Chemicals industry to stop polluting the environment. The draconian measures put in place were designed to drive an industry which was lethargic to change and yet universally seen as a major contributor to pollution. Other industries have had similar “messages” from Government, most obviously the car industry. The emissions from cars are now taxed and if you are a company car owner your choice of car will most likely take this into account. But the truth is that Government legislation is a crude tool to create change. The overwhelming desire is for people to resist if it is imposed on them. Just look how the USA ignores world opinion even though it is currently one of the worst polluters in the world. The work done by Al Gore has raised awareness on the world stage, but the USA remains sceptical and selfish about his message. As countries like China strive to grow their economies, little if any focus is being placed on the environmental impact they are having. However, the world press have recognised a growing story which has been fuelled by inconclusive scientific opinion. There is no doubt that Public anxiety about global warming has been gradually gaining pace. Fear has its own intoxicating effect on the public and the press are highly skilled at exploring this. Considerable media interest occurred with the effects of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and more recently the floods in the UK this summer So perhaps public opinion is beginning to turn and one time unpopular changes may start to be seen in a more reasonable light. So why should business care about the environment? I believe that the most compelling arguments are based around sustainability and cost. If we simply ignore the situation, we will be caught out. For instance, the recent dispute between Russia and Ukraine about natural gas distribution highlighted the dwindling resource available to Europe. Simple supply and demand economics will came into play with the markets driving a significant price rise for natural gas. No one would argue that this additional cost can simple be absorbed in today’s competitive climate. The only way to reduce costs will be to use less. So here is a surprising fact: Companies do not have to spend large amounts of money on environmental improvements to significantly reduce costs! You can make a real difference and save money at the same time. You may be astonished to learn that in a typical work office:
(I would recommend The Carbon Trust as a useful start point for simple guidance on how to reduce unnecessary waste www.thecarbontrust.co.uk). By positively engaging your workforce, they can easily deliver these savings for you. One way of channelling this activity is to review internal processes against the Environmental Standard ISO 14001. Not only will you make savings, but you can also use the publicity value gaining the standards will offer. Time is of the essence. Waiting for legislation to force change will leave organisations too far behind. Public opinion is changing and natural resources are becoming scarcer. So the challenge is laid down for you to innovate within your business and engage your workforce in doing the simple things to reduce your impact on the environment.
If you need more information and want to contact Paul Robinson directly, phone 0845 408 5978 or email: enquiries@business-solutions-wizard.com www.business-solutions-wizard.com
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