Yorkshire and Humber businesses are not doing enough to reduce their environmental impact, warns Envirowise, a government-funded programme that offers free practical advice to businesses. This follows new research which reveals three out of five businesses could tackle environmental issues more effectively1.
The survey highlights how despite the current noise on climate change, pressure from legislation and considerable associated cost benefits, many businesses are still struggling to develop and implement sustainable business practices.
However, in order for a company to become truly sustainable, environmental behaviour needs to be owned by everyone within the organisation, says Envirowise. To help local companies embrace this cultural change, the Programme has launched a new online resource, ‘Words to the Wise’, designed to provide companies of all sizes and sectors with advice on developing a plan of action to help embed sustainability and improve environmental performance.
Following the completion of a short questionnaire, the resource provides a bespoke summary of the company’s current environmental position, followed by guidance on the terminology most likely to resonate at every level within a company, from junior management, through to the boardroom.
Elin Crebbin, Envirowise Regional Manager for Yorkshire and Humber, commented: “The best way to encourage behaviour change is to make environmental measures part of standard business practice. In time, this will become woven into the fabric of a business, and not need conscious additional effort. The rewards, both financial and environmental, meanwhile will be soon be realised.”
This is echoed by John Philpot, chief economist with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and an expert in business efficiency and productivity: “There is a compelling case for businesses to embed sustainability into the very bones of their organisation. There needs to be a paradigm shift from a culture of ‘feel-good’ tactics on the environment to an endemic endorsement of change, where every company can be sure that they are not just ticking the box on CSR, but meaning it.”
For more information on ‘Words to the Wise’ online behaviour change resource, please visit, www.envirowise.gov.uk/change or call the Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585 794.
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1 Envirowise Market – Penetration and Messaging. Report Three. Databuild Research & Solutions. August 2007. Survey was completed by large businesses.
Issued on behalf of Envirowise by Trimedia Harrison Cowley.
Media Contacts: Peter Stilwell, Rachael Kilburn or Rod Dennis at Trimedia Harrison Cowley on 0117 929 2311.
About Envirowise
Envirowise is a Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of UK business practice.
Since 1994 Envirowise has helped UK businesses save over £1bn by enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental footprints.
Envirowise offers businesses of all sizes and sectors a wide range of free, independent and practical advice designed to genuinely improve their processes, profitability and competitiveness. Services include:
- The Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794
- An encyclopaedic website (www.envirowise.gov.uk) of valuable and relevant information
- Over 200 events each year, from Product Design Workshops to major exhibitions