There are a number of factors and issues that drive businesses to contact us for support. Here’s a quick analysis.
Desire and ambition
A common theme is businesses who want to be more environmentally responsible and sustainable, but aren’t sure where to start. Some may have implemented some actions around waste and recycling, and maybe some low energy or renewable energy tech for example, but they lack any context for these actions.
For these businesses, we generally recommend starting with carbon reporting and reduction. A carbon reduction plan is an overarching statement of intent, that all actions on energy, waste, sourcing and efficiency sit under. Most importantly, it gives the business a sustainability road map – what are we going to do this year, and what impact will it have, what are we going to do next year etc etc.
It’s about doing the right things in the right order and taking the mystery out of environmental sustainability.
Energy Costs
Understandably, most businesses will be concerned about their energy costs, and that concern drives businesses to take expert advice on how they can impact those costs. Our observation is that the first 5-10% of energy savings can come simply from turning things off, or controlling them better. These things are obvious to us because that’s what we do, but unless you’re specifically looking for it, and you’ve got a business to run, maybe they’re not so obvious.
(Quick anecdote – I once visited a business and asked where the central heating controller was. No-one knew!)
Mandatory Reporting.
For an increasing number of businesses, reporting on sustainability will be mandated to them by their clients. Carbon Reduction Plans and Sustainability Policy Statements are becoming mandatory for many suppliers to public sector bodies such as the NHS, MoD and Local Authorities and also to most of the major plcs.
Likewise, for suppliers of some construction products, the presence of product Life Cycle Assessments and / or Environmental Product Declarations is a mandatory ‘ticket-to-trade’. This will also be familiar to exporters of certain products into the EU zone.
Competitive Advantage and Reputational Gain
In crowded and competitive marketplaces, sales-people need something to talk about to set them apart from their competitors, a differentiator. The environmental sustainability of a business, service or product is increasingly seen as being a valuable and marketable differentiator.
Wishing to avoid accusations of ‘Green Washing’, many businesses are nervous of this, which is where we support them with facts, figures, evidence and the right language. This way, businesses can talk confidently and robustly about their green credentials.
Conclusion
For some businesses, all of the above will apply but we can guarantee that for every business, at least one of these drivers will exist.