Going green is vital for the world in more ways than saving the planet, and the benefits extend far beyond and into business, social and economic avenues that affect almost everyone. The good news is that many companies are making changes, with some dragging their heels.
The Main Goal is Saving Money
From a business point of view, playing a role in environmental change will help save money in the long term. As such, almost 90% of businesses in countries like the UK and the US are actively taking steps to address concerns. Taking offices as an example, commercial high bay lighting with LED bulbs can reduce energy usage by up to 90%. As a result, there is less demand on a country’s energy grid. LED bulbs also last longer, meaning less expense.
Environmental Concerns Play A Role
Of course, most businesses are not faceless and heartless corporations, and the people involved with them have to live on this planet too. Therefore, companies are actively pursuing green goals across their organisations in an attempt to play their role and inspire others. Because of this, concerns over long and short-term sustainability are high on the list of things businesses of all sizes must address, meaning there are active changes in company policies.
Grants Are Available for Going Green
Despite the widespread nature and awareness of green issues, not all companies are quick to make changes. This is possibly because there is a severe lack of available funds to make sweeping changes across an entire business. Yet, in response to this, several world governments in developed nations offer grants, bonuses, and incentives for businesses to make green changes. For example, business electric vehicle fleets are exempt from certain taxes.
Larger Corporations are Slower to Adapt
You would be forgiven for thinking the world’s largest corporations would be quick to adopt green initiatives if only for better branding. But recent research has shown that small to medium businesses are leading the charge in this. And some of the biggest companies that are household names are moving very slowly. Some of them are even making investments, such as in fossil fuels, that contradict their public-facing image and PR-created mission statements.
It’s a Gradual Process
For the largest green initiatives to work, businesses must work together and with governments. From the smallest mom-and-pop store to the largest multinational corporation, everyone has a role to play. As we have seen, the passion and willingness to change for the better is there. But certain stragglers are making real change more difficult. Take the UK government, for example, which publicly states green changes yet is very slow to make changes that help reach targets.
The vast majority of businesses are trying to go green and are making changes. Your business will save money, and you can apply for grants. But it will take some time and effort by all of us if we are to see any real change. And the next few years are vital for impactful world change.