FTSE firms outline green resolutions

A poll of FTSE 100 companies has revealed that greener, more sustainable offices is the top environmental New Year's resolution for 2008, but that more government support is critical to its success.

UK public relations firm Chatsworth Communications polled the UK's 100 leading businesses on their priorities in tackling climate change in the coming year and the challenges they face in implementing the plans.

The survey revealed an increasing emphasis on managing environmental impact from core operations, and genuine concern from senior management.

But it also highlighted a lack of action in the wider arena, including employee involvement.

"Consumers and investors are wising-up to greener ways of doing business," said Nick Warren, an account executive at Chatsworth Communications.

"The boards of the FTSE 100 have realised the importance of a comprehensive corporate social responsibility strategy which cuts right across their operations and is sustainable in the long term.

"Although businesses are taking positive steps, there are some areas in which they cannot make progress, such as switching to renewable energy sources, without leadership at the highest political level."

The main resolutions to combat climate change in 2008 are more energy efficient office buildings (25 per cent), reducing carbon emissions from operations (23 per cent) and incorporating renewable energy sources (13 per cent).

However, a lack of government support was cited as the greatest factor hindering progress, especially in areas such as incorporating renewable energy sources.

Interestingly, schemes such as encouraging staff to use greener methods of transport, and allowing employees to work from home occasionally, were less popular, and only five per cent opted for reducing business travel through video conferencing.

"It is the green resolutions of our government that will make the greatest impact in 2008," concluded Warren.

"Sustainability must surely be on the main agenda from the boardroom to the stockroom for ethical and economic well-being in 2008."

See also:

2007 Roundup: Data explosion to continue

Storage companies set for a bumper 2008  24 Dec 2007

Greenpeace lays down the law to gaming giants

Clean up your act, says campaign group  14 Dec 2007

IBM courts Hollywood in green crusade

Big Blue again talks up Project Big Green  13 Dec 2007

Hitachi and Data Islandia team up for green data archiving

Growing need for content management cited  12 Dec 2007

Xerox hits green goals ahead of schedule

New target aims for 25 per cent cutback by 2012  06 Dec 2007

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