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Do Sustainability Efforts Pay Off for Businesses?
Almost three-quarters of business leaders say the benefits of their sustainability initiatives have exceeded their expectations, according to a new survey.
Posted 5/ 25 11 at 6:00 PM | News, Leadership, International Business, Energy, Inventions & Innovations
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As more companies incorporate sustainability initiatives into their everyday operations, business leaders are beginning to see the payoff play out in overall company performance. According to a recent survey of 247 C-suite decision makers in the United States, United Kingdom and China by global consulting firm Accenture, 72 percent said the benefits resulting from their sustainability initiatives have exceeded expectations. Only 4 percent reported that their efforts to incorporate sustainability have failed to meet expectations.In a sign that more companies are making strides to act responsibly, the survey found that 93 percent of companies currently have sustainability initiatives in place, and 68 percent of respondents consider sustainability an integrated part of their business operations now. The other 32 percent consider sustainability peripheral to their business. When it comes to the types of sustainability initiatives that companies are pursuing, 51 percent are focusing on reducing the amount of electricity used in their building and green IT, followed by 47 percent in the area of sustainability talent and skills initiatives, and an additional 44 percent are developing sustainability-based products and services.
In terms of the business benefits that leaders have identified as a result of these initiatives, 49 percent of respondents cited reputation and trust, while 42 percent said their actions have led to lower costs, and for 41 percent, an improved brand. "It's clear that sustainability is no longer merely a matter of compliance, but a proactive way to energize commercial strategy," Bruno Berthon, managing director of Accenture Sustainability Services, said in a statement.
The survey also identified the most significant barriers for companies in incorporating sustainability initiatives. Not surprisingly, 43 percent said cost was a significant barrier, along with 31 percent who said the inability to measure sustainability initiatives played a role, and 30 percent who cited the lack of government incentives.
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Comments (Page 1 of 2)
In California and elsewhere, new homes must have CFL lights throughout. They cost a LOT more, give off poor light, and are considered to be hazardous. What is the benefit of doing this other then the government has a feel good attitude, but the public (you and me) bear the cost. This is another example of the Big Brother telling us what is good for us.
It is interesting that roofing materials are not usually mentioned in the sustainability conversations. Fire treated wood shakes are harvested from sustainable forestry practices and are as safe or safer for commercial and residential roofs all over the country. Composition shingles are not and have never been biodegradable or sustainable. They pile up in our landfills; require huge amounts of energy, petroleum and tar to produce. Consumers and business owners are being told to replace their wood roofs with metal or products that cannot come close to the durability, safety, beauty or the truly green factors involved with using cedar for a stunning and environmentally sound roof. www.wolfcreekcedar.com
Green porducts such as electric cars, green light bulbs and all the rest won;t make sense unless you drive the price of oil up, destroyed the coal industry that provides 90 percent of our electricity. THEN all that green stuff would cost about the same as the 8.00 dollars gas and soaring electricity cost. This is the path our leftist presiedent has placed it on. Oh by the way he is great freinds with general electric president , jeffrey Imelt whose company doesnt; pay any taxes...Moral of the story, get rid of the leftist president and price of gas will go down, and we can go back to prosperity. I have not heard a single mention about "president bush and his oil buddies getting rich from the high poil price? Leftist papers such as huffington post are thumbs up on obama driving oil pirces up and pushing business into the army of general electric...they are leftist so its ok.
Test that have been performed on lighting such as LED's have been totaly 1 sided they were financed by large firms that do not have the technology to make them. When they do then the results will look better. My LED tube's are far superiour than any flourescent and the ROI is 14 months 1 firm who will use 40,000 will save,( or make a penny saved is a penny earned) millions during the life time of the product . They will reduce there carbon foot print emenscenly but will not be entitled to the Carbon Credit money the Power Co. will get that for years It is a terrible thing , Schools would be able to meet their budget crunches teachers jobs would be saved our children would get a better educaion , less pollutants no need to build another power plant if LED's are used . Can I helpYou and Your firm emailme energyel@aol.com.I know I can Your price for 2 4 ft. LED Tubes is 64.00 shipping included 3 year warrantee 65% reduction in operating cost . I can turn Your budget around ..
Here is a theory about Flourescent's see if You agree. When the Twin Towers or World Trade Center went down there were millions of flourescent's in use in the building yes millions the survivors who are sufering have conracted it from the lights mercury vapors those puffs of smoke that surged out when each floor fell down were the gasses from the Flourescent lights . These are hazardous items all rooms should have a hazmat sign up and complete instructions such as evacuation for 1 hour minimum complete removal of clothes and shoes shut down all HVAC if not than ajoinging rooms and occupants have to follow the same prcedures. These are Federal Guide Lines for the use of Flourescent lights . Pretty good han Do You think the gases had somehing t do with these HERO's who survived health problems they have??
wait until all the govmnt subsidizes go away and you find the real cost is 250% times what it costs now.
CEOs also believe that several conditions must be met before sustainability can be fully integrated into a company’s core business, and that businesses need to take a leadership role in bringing them about. Business action will be required in five key areas:
Shaping consumer tastes in order to build a stronger market for sustainable products.
Training management, employees and the next generation of leaders to deal with sustainability issues.
Communicating with investors to create a better understanding of the impact of sustainability.
Measuring performance on sustainability – and explaining the value of business in society.
Working with governments to shape clearer regulation and create a level playing field.
Follow the link to Accenture's website!
Did you get that? "Shape consumers tastes" , and "work with govt to shape regulations".
Waiting for Obama and Michelle to have windmills installed on the planes they use and then start utilizing electric cars in their motorcades, then I will believe.
Cost vs. benefit. See "Spain".
The only reason green endeavers work, Government grants subsidies, tax credits, while reducing or eliminating tried and true energy sources. Obama's policies of necessary skyrocketing energy cost to the consumer. WHO pays for this boondoggle, the tax payer. This is all part of the plan to de-industrialize the United States. This deliberate attack by enviromentialist, left wing zelots, and the Obama administration energy policies amount to TREASON to our wonderful country. Government by the Government for the Government, forgets "We the People" The largest waster of energy is the Government, NOTE; Obama energy policies do not apply. A simular sinerio applies to Obama's health care. Wavers for all government employees. Yet the public pays for their car too.
Seems like a survey to get the answer they want. Given the cost of energy any company that doesn't adopt cost saving strategies has criminally stupid management regardless of whether they call it green or something else. As a consumer I am concerned with whether a product works well and cost no more than other effcient alternatives. There is a lot of puff in *green* marketing efforts and though I will try a "green" product, I have been disappsointed with perforamnce and don't buy a second time. As an ex-marketing person I know trials that don't result in repurchase equals an unsustainable product.
One of the biggest benefits is the "feel good" effect achieved by mistakently thinking you're actually accomplishing something. The Toyota Prius is a perfect example. Do a cost analysis and see how much good you're doing your own wallet as you try to save the world by driving a "green" car.
This "green" stuff is the same BS the tree huggers gave us about global warming.I need Al Gore's phone number to ask why we had 10" of snow in April.
What happed to my comment? No email was received, so I believe you are guilty of censorship!
If your GE it does pay.
THIS IS TOTAL BS..THE ONLY GREEN I CARE ABOUT IS THE CASH IN MY POCKET--IN FACT I TOSSED SOME OF THOSE NEW OBAMA LIGHTS INTO A PARKING LOT AND BROKE THEM INTENTIONALLY
Re: The LED bulbs for light fixtures. If you go to Home Depot or Lowe's, their lighting fixtures do not take these bulbs, nor do my lamp shades fit over these bulbs. Talk is one thing, practicality is absent here.
who did the poll???? going green will cost you about 250% more once the govmnt subsidises stop
I fully realize the term going Green, its by the government choking us to death and we turn color. Kick this progressive out of his palace and give us back our country and he can keep the change.