Connecticut Businesses are Going Green

I find it to be wonderful that new statistics are showing the Connecticut Businesses are going green. Research by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association found that "Almost three-quarters (74 percent) of those surveyed have adopted sustainable strategies, up from 47 percent in 2007, 59 percent in 2008, and 73 percent in 2009." I can only hope that these numbers continue to grow. I believe that some of this improvement is due to the funding available by the Utility companies and the state. I also hope that these figures encourage other Connecticut to continue the funding. In the current economy much of the funding has come on the chopping block.

Some of the other figures found by the CBIA Include:

* While their primary goal for going green is reducing operating costs (64 percent of respondents), nearly as important is their commitment to environmental and social responsibility (57 percent). Other reasons include enhancing company image (38 percent), responding to customer requests (20 percent), anticipating or preempting future regulation (14 percent), growing market share (13 percent), and earning government grants, loans, or rebates (11 percent).
* More Connecticut companies are green producers rather than consumers, but they are fulfilling a growing desire to invest with conscience and purpose by conserving natural resources, minimizing pollution and contributing to an ecologically sustainable economy.
* The single greatest barrier to going green, cited by 29 percent of respondents, is a lack of knowledge regarding sustainable practices. That’s up from 10 percent in 2009. Other barriers include cost (24 percent), lack of clear business case for sustainability (21 percent), combination of several areas/other (16 percent), lack of company leadership (5 percent), and lack of tools and resources to implement and integrate sustainability (5 percent).
* Nearly three quarters (74 percent) have adopted green business practices in the products and services they produce or provide, while 61 percent have gone green in the products and services they purchase or use.
* Energy represents the largest area of green business activity among companies surveyed, with 71 percent already engaged in energy efficiency/conservation and another 16 percent getting started. The most common measures involve upgrades to lighting (95 percent), HVAC (47 percent), occupancy sensors (33 percent), furnaces/boilers (32 percent), motors (25 percent), air compressors (24 percent), process equipment (21 percent), and refrigeration (13 percent).
* Nearly half (45 percent) of respondents said greening their business has had a positive impact on their client/customer relationships. Forty-one percent said it has helped their public image, employee morale (39 percent), and supplier/vendor relationships (23 percent).
* Relatively few businesses (15 percent) report an increase in revenue from going green. In fact, 13 percent claim it has hurt their bottom line, and only 18 percent say it has helped.

I am disheartened to see that some business found that going green hurt their bottom line. I would be interested in knowing the details. Maybe they did not make cost effective decisions or work with companies experienced in going green.

To See the entire article by CBIA Click Here