GREEN BUSINESS VIEWS

The recession has had a definite impact on the environmental progress of many companies.  First of all, there is a lot of loose information in the media today, including the Internet, that is only marginally helpful.  Unfortunately, most of this easy-to-find information is mostly superficial and very, very, very redundant.  How often can we hear about CFL bulbs, programmable thermostats, and turning off lights and equipment when we leave the area?  The whole Green movement has what feels like a false bottom that is very shallow, but the full subject matter is much more comprehensive and involved than most care to consider.

The recession has had an adverse affect on our collective program because the transition to Green Practices goes much deeper than strained budgets and time may seem to allow.  This is, of course, a mistaken and misguided approach to the genuine efforts that care called for at this time.  Nonetheless, it seems that nearly everyone agrees that individuals, families, agencies, and business needs to be fully committed to a cause that threatens our lifestyle and our lives.  As the recession loses its stranglehold on the economy the need to continue the environmental conversion continues to be a bigger and more demanding necessity.  Humble and well-intended efforts are often just that.  What is needed is a smart and honest program that will bring businesses to a point of solid operation.

There are two reliable methods for improving the Green IQ of any business operation.  The first is to request that a Certified Green Consultant complete a free assessment for the existing and proposed Green practices that will earn the company a Green business certification through the Green Business League.  The second method is to have one or more persons go through the Green Officer Training which is offered regionally or online.  One of the new wrinkles in the Green certification process is the realization that your firm need not own the building to receive a Green business certification.  The Green Business League is one of the most respected national organizations that promotes Green Practices for Green businesses, and their 100 point system focuses on the daily operations with secondary interest on building requirements.  While a Green building is valuable, a Green operation is even more valuable since there are none exempt from participation.

The Green business certification process is provided only through the two options listed above.  A worksheet that guides the trained Green Consultant or Green Officer provides a thorough review of nearly all possible environmental solutions.  No two businesses will earn Green business certification the same way,but  every business can make the necessary strides to become certified with a very modest investment that often pays off in as little as 12 to 24 months.  It is gratifying to learn that Going Green is not just a cost factor, but there are real and substantial savings that any business can realize by a properly implemented Green program.

Unlike some certifications, the Green Business League offers an independent, third-party certification that can be respected.  This program proudly declares that this certification is “Earned, and not Bought.”  Greenwashing seems to be the default process in business today.  Businesses often make a token effort to install a few Green ideas, and summarily declare that their company is now a Green business.  Self assertion is no proof of genuine compliance.  Neither does it allow for a standard to be set for achievement.  By setting low or no credible requirements to post a Green claim (or buy one off the Internet), everyone qualifies regardless of the flawed efforts made to make such a claim.

The only way to end Greenwashing is not to advertise more boldly than the competition, but to set a standard of performance that can be measured, audited, and certified.  Until any business meets an industry-wide standard for Green, their process is horribly flawed.  The fact that the recession has slowed the commitment to become more environmentally engaged, it should not simply become a laizzez faire of half-hearted efforts that masks the authentically Green businesses that the public will respect both now and in the years to come.

Comments are closed.