Member Article

UK firms not yet green enough

One in three UK firms do not have systems in place to improve their impact on the environment, according to new research.

The survey, carried out by the British Standards Institution (BSI), showed that many firms have not yet implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS) despite having the good intentions to do so. The BSI has said that there are many benefits to utilising an EMS, including boosting both corporate reputation and competitiveness.

Results from the survey indicate that 70% of companies worry about rising energy prices and 45% are concerned about waste management. When asked about using an EMS, 94% said they recognised that it can improve environmental performance, and 76% believe that, over the next decade, customers will be more interested in companies who use an EMS.

Mike Low, Director of BSI British Standards, said: “We all know time is running out to take action on the environment. It’s encouraging to see that companies recognise the social and business benefits of going green but we’ve clearly still got some way to go.

“Standards help organisations of any size or sector address the environmental impact of their activities, services, products and people to bring substantive environmental and financial returns. In fact, EMSs are now a prerequisite for business success as companies expect their suppliers to be environmentally responsible.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .