Ruth Mccarthy

We may be in the midst of a global recession but don’t for one moment think that “green” issues have been brushed under the carpet. They are rising further and further up the corporate agenda and that of the UK government. The Climate Change Act, with its ambitious targets for lowering of CO2 emissions (80% by 2050) and Energy Acts along with a host of policies on waste management and energy efficiency confirms this. The talk out there is of  “green technologies,”, “green collar” jobs and the “green economy” as being our lifeline to re-starting economic growth.

“Sustainability” and “survival” are the present goals for many organisations but are they mutually exclusive?

Being “green” (or sustainable) is still seen by many as a luxury- something you may have entertained before the recession forced organisations to strip down to the bare essentials of survival. How misguided they are! Being more sustainable is a business critical issue. Efficiency, re-using, recycling all lower everyday running costs- good news for cash-strapped businesses and consumers.

Forward thinking organisations have woken up to the realisation that sustainability opens the door to business benefits and those benefits are greatest for the early movers.

Why?:

• Cost Savings/Future Energy Prices

• Efficiency (using less) and re-using/re-cycling saves substantial costs.
• Energy costs have risen steeply. Prices are set to triple by 2015

• Increased Values-  “green” buildings

• Markets across the world are adapting and recognising the value of green buildings and that value will only increase as legislative controls tighten, minimum standards increase, CRC commences and other green taxes implemented.
• Green buildings generate higher rents being more attractive, lighter, better ventilated and more productive environments to occupy and work in. Demand is particularly strong from the government and public sector.
• Green buildings and buildings with green leases in place attract outside investment (particularly ethical investors), adding to an organisation’s value

• Reputation/Social Pressure/Attraction of better employees

• Avoid damage to brand and reputation due to adverse publicity from owning or occupying energy poor buildings, failing to recycle goods etc.
• In London, Mayor Boris Johnson has threatened  to “shame” green laggards with the appearance on a “non-green 300 list”.
• CIPD research shows that 50% of employees prefer to work for an employer with a strong environmental policy.

Smarter organisations are looking for ways of achieving the above at minimum cost. Investing in new “green” technologies can be expensive but there are loans/grants whose availability should increase. Many changes can be made at little/no cost, particularly those involving behaviour. By encouraging employees to turn off lights and computers and Tenants to have sustainability more in focus when altering a building meaningful changes can be made. We have moved into an era of collaboration between employers/employees and Landlords/Tenants who are thinking about education, rewards and incentive structures as cost effective ways of promoting change.