John Butler Law

Environmental issues are top of everyone’s agenda and most individuals and companies see reducing their carbon footprint as an essential way to contribute to the future health of the planet. At home, most of us have taken steps to reduce what we are spending on energy by making our homes more energy efficient and improving things such as insulation.

Businesses however have been slower to cotton on to this concept, but many of the steps that can be taken by a company are similar to those which can be done by homeowners. For the business owner, it is important to get your staff on side by explaining why you are taking the steps and what the benefit will be for the company overall. Setting up a working group or committee made up of employees to help drive the process forward and come up with suggestions to help improve efficiencies. Improvements such as improving insulation may not always be practical or easy to achieve in business premises, especially if you are a tenant in your offices. However, simple measures such as reminding staff to switch off lights as the leave or not leave computers, printers or photocopiers on standby can save a considerable sum over the course of the year. Getting into the habit of switching things off can take a while for many employees but having a nominated person in each department responsible for reminding everyone else to comply with the new policy will help get the message through.

At a higher level, a commitment to going green at board level should be demonstrated by drawing up plans for an environmental management system which will help you control your efforts in going green and assist with evaluating progress towards your goals. For small businesses who feel that they do not have the necessary expertise in house to set these systems up and manage them on an ongoing basis, there are many consultants and specialists who can come into the business a few days per month or quarter and help.

One of the best ways of driving improvement in a business is to ask staff for suggestions. No boss can be aware of every little thing within any businesses, and staff members on the shop floor are very often best placed to spot areas where efficient improvements and cost savings can be made. Rewarding staff for suggestions which save cash for the business can encourage more enthusiasm within the staff and also make them feel that they are having their efforts recognized. Rewards do not need to be financial; extra time off or a special car parking space can be equally as valued by the employee as cash.