and a happy new year! 

Our new year’s resolution is to try not to get too down-hearted about Copenhagen, and to get on with working hard on the local 10:10 campaign, promoting an attractive way forward to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Brighton and Hove by 10% during 2010. 

Why not sign up too:  www.1010org.uk  It’s very easy, and you’ve got nothing to lose except maybe a saving in your energy costs. Let us know how you get on.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, energy-efficient and prosperous year ahead!

Scientists predict that global warming will cause potentially catastrophic changes in the world around us over the course of this century, including extreme weather, sea level rise, water shortages, food shortages and extinctions. (DECC, Roadmap to Copenhagen, 2009)

It’s easy to be daunted, turned off or confused by climate change reports. We may think it won’t affect us directly. And anyway, there are higher priorities. But while some businesses need to focus on immediate challenges, many are now thinking longer-term about how they can emerge successfully from the recession.

Companies with a clear corporate social responsibility strategy compete well for new business and to keep their existing customers. It generates a positive reputation if genuinely done well, and can be a real “win-win”: building sales and saving costs. An environmental policy is mandatory in tenders to supply government departments, local authorities and London 2012. These organisations have to demonstrate responsibility throughout their supply chains.

Businesses don’t exist in isolation – they play a valuable role in society. Social values have an increasingly important role in influencing business strategy which, more than ever, needs to reflect changes in culture and opinion. Public outrage for example at MP expenses and bankers’ bonuses had a significant influence this year on public confidence in these institutions.

An effective approach towards risk is also relevant, and known to improve business resilience during a recession. It helps businesses lead the way when the much-anticipated green shoots of recovery begin to appear. These companies tend to have longer-term strategies in place, are better able to anticipate what’s ahead and can put the right plans and solutions in place. These plans now need to address the potential for greater regulation, and for energy to become more scarce, more expensive and less reliable in its supply.

There could be a very positive, new way forward for your business. Climate change has the potential to bring out the best in business – with leadership, technology and innovation coming forward to meet new challenges.

Making a start can be quite straightforward. Here are some things you can do:

• A basic energy survey is free for many companies (www.carbontrust.co.uk).
• Interest-free loans and grants are often available for energy efficiency measures www.greengrantsmachine.co.uk.
• Sign up to the 10:10 campaign (www.1010uk.org) to reduce emissions by 10% for 2010 – there’s plenty of ideas and advice on the website.
• There’s a comprehensive list of information and support on the Brighton and Hove Business Forum’s website www.brightonbusiness.co.uk under “Business and Climate Change”.
• For inspiration, have a look at case studies of businesses who are already doing this well www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business/Business/Resources/Publications-and-Case-Studies; or – more locally, look at the BETRE website www.betre.org.uk. As well as case studies they have lots of help for businesses to become more efficient, cut costs and work towards a low-carbon economy.

I’d be really interested to hear how you get on – susie@greenmetrics.co.uk.

This article appeared in The Argus business section 8th December 2009 (Brighton and Hove).

This is what they say:

“This year, thousands of individuals and organisations from across the country are putting aside their differences to help write the first chapter of 21st Century’s biggest story.

The idea is simple: we work together to achieve a 10% cut in the UK’s carbon emissions in 2010. From village post offices to City skyscrapers, everyone’s invited.

Cutting 10% in one year is a bold target, but for most of us it’s an achievable one, and is in line with what scientists say we need right now. And by signing up to a 10% target we’re not just supporting 10:10 - we’re making it happen.

The success of 10:10 depends on getting everyone involved, and the 10:10 website has all the tools you need to pass the message on far and wide. We need to start spreading the word to every corner of the country, inviting our friends, family, colleagues, customers, competitors – everyone we know – to take part.

It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of a huge problem like climate change, but by uniting large numbers of people and institutions around immediate, effective and achievable action, 10:10 enables all of us to make a meaningful difference. It’s the perfect opportunity to find out what’s possible when we work together.

10:10 is about putting aside our differences to tackle the defining challenge of our age. 10:10 is about working together and raising our game. 10:10 is an idea whose time has come. Let’s get started.”

At Greenmetrics our environmental policy  is already designed to reduce impacts, and we plan to use the 10:10 campaign not only to strengthen our own resolve, but to work with others to raise awareness and understanding of what’s possible when you really put your mind to it. We’ll keep you posted.

Let me know what you think: is this something you could work on in your business? Have you made good progress already? What might stop you or get in the way?

email me – susie@greenmetrics.co.uk Feedback very welcome!

Thanks.

Nominate your favourite green site here – by 16th November 2009.

By Susie Howells

Greenwash is what organisations or individuals do, sometimes with the best intentions, to persuade their audience that their actions are environmentally more acceptable. You can find greenwash anywhere: on websites, in brochures, annual reports, tender documents, articles, press releases, in meetings and presentations.

It can be difficult to spot. Ambiguous messages, vague or unsubstantiated statements such as ‘environmentally friendly’ or ‘eco-friendly‘ are meaningless as it’s difficult to prove a direct environmental benefit. Green credentials may be over-stated or implied, with no mention of things that go wrong. You might see comprehensive information about an insignificant issue, with no information about something of genuine concern (such as the impact on local people from an industrial process).

Unrealistic claims and timescales, such as a percentage reduction in emissions by a certain date might look good, but have no hope being achieved without a plan in place. And it’s not enough to highlight normal business practice or compliance with environmental legislation as an achievement.

To avoid the pitfalls of greenwash, it’s best to adopt a long-term, systematic approach to reducing environmental impacts. Track progress in the same way as any other business measure, and make sure there is evidence to back up green claims. Use recognised standards. Don’t over-state achievements. Be clear, be accurate and keep it simple.

Actions speak louder than words. The emphasis is on behaviour and results, and while it’s important to raise awareness, the focus must remain on actual improvements rather than lip-service. Leadership is crucial. This needs genuine direction from the top. Keep it on the agenda at board meetings and let people with an interest know about progress.

A wide range of free guidance and support is available, and there are recognised schemes and quality standards such as ISO14001 and BS8555. Access to funding may be available to help implement environmental improvements.

A reliable place to start is Business Link http://www.businesslink.gov.uk – look for ‘environment and efficiency’.  

Other useful sites include:

http://www.envirowise.gov.uk,  a government-funded programme to help incorporate the sustainable use of resources into UK business practice;

and

http://www.netregs.gov.uk which provides free environmental guidance for small and medium-sized businesses in the UK.  

For government guidance on green claims look at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/marketing/glc/claims.htm.

With increasing demand for transparency and the impact of an economic downturn, the timing couldn’t be better for businesses to adopt the principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The idea is well-established, providing a balanced framework to enable responsible growth, taking into account the social, environmental and economic impacts of activities. A genuine approach will help to build positive relationships with customers and other stakeholders, reduce impacts and costs and increase competitiveness. It could just make the difference in winning new business.

September 2009

This article appeared in The Argus business section 15th September 2009 (Brighton and Hove).

Further reading:  The Greenwash Guide

Specialist sustainability communication agency, Futerra, has published a great guide on how to spot, prevent and avoid greenwash for consumers, companies and agencies.

Launched today Greenmetrics specialises in corporate responsibility and environmental performance measurement and reporting.

This means we provide practical and realistic advice for businesses in corporate social responsibility, stakeholder relationships and environmental management, and help you to document and publish your progress and achievements.

Our new website runs completely on Wind Power thanks to our designers at Make Hay Ethical E-Media.