Environmental impact warning

Rochdale 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 effectively. 

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.

Nick Ward, Envirowise Regional Manager, 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.”