Go Green and Save Money in Business
Eco Friendly Choices Improve Profitability and Energy Efficiency
Jul 17, 2009
Many businesses view corporate social responsibility as a cost not a benefit. Eric Cohen is a management consultant who believes that environmentalists often fail to account for this important fact.
For small business owners in particular the upfront costs of energy efficiency can be a major hurdle to implementation. Companies balk at parting with the cash to fund such projects, despite the short term paybacks.
Cohen is the founder of Padosa.com, a website offering free advice to business people on sustainable choices. Even business owners who do not buy into climate change can save money by following the tips at Padosa.com.
Sustainable Choices Require Strategic Approach
Cohen’s message for business is straightforward: Sustainability is not just a trend. In an interview with Jennifer Sheffield of TheAlternativePress.com, Cohen stated, “It will save you money, it will be good for your staff, and it will be good for the world around you.”
Ever the trusty management consultant, Cohen stresses that a strategic approach is necessary if the business is going to reap rewards from green choices. Organizing with clear goals and a three year plan enables owners to improve performance of physical plant in a measurable way.
The first step is to benchmark a building’s performance. A building audit can be conducted using a free tool like Energy Star Portfolio Manager, offered to business by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
This benchmarking tool allows business owners to track and assess energy and water consumption for an entire portfolio of buildings in a secure online environment. Portfolio Managers software can help owners and building managers identify under-performing buildings, verify efficiency improvements, and receive EPA recognition for superior energy performance.
Understanding where the energy goes is the precursor to designing a green strategy that not only lowers operating costs but differentiates the business. Cohen links sustainable choices with building a brand that stands for something. Consumers are increasingly choosing green brands and many larger companies are selecting service partners based on their record of sustainability.
To LEED or not to LEED
The biggest expense for a building owner to assume is the decision to certify a building under LEED®. As governments come to terms with lowering greenhouse gas emissions, the costs of purchasing energy inputs will rise, creating financial incentives to build or renovate to the highest sustainable design standards.
LEED certified buildings are energy efficient and they carry a caché that is appealing to prospective tenants and employees. Investing in sustainable design establishes a business as being reputable and responsive to the wider environment. It also makes it a magnet for new employees who prefer to work for an environmentally responsible employer.
Using the Padosa.com Website
Business owners and building managers interested in pursuing sustainable options can sign onto the Padosa.com website free of charge. Once they have become members, they can participate in the online forums and learn more about how to save money while being kind to the environment.
Cohen loves to share resources with business audiences. He is quick to point out that many investments in energy efficiency have short payback times. Popular projects include employee awareness programs, lighting changes (moving from T12 and HID lights to CFL), and upgrading transformers. With incentives from state governments, many of these energy saving projects can be implemented with two year paybacks.
Being practical about good reasons for going green in business is the big idea behind Padosa.com. Regardless of a business owner’s personal perspectives about global warming, lowering the greenhouse gas emissions that come from buildings can reduce waste and increase profitability. The Padosa website shows members how to do that and gives them a forum for sharing ideas.
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