34 . Glasgow Business June 2016


DO YOU DARE TO GO GREEN?


W


Sustainability will ensure your firm’s long-term survival Uncertainty about energy costs, increasing


hile world leaders congratulated themselves at the UN in April on finally signing an agreement to reduce greenhouse gases


and slow global warming, the question hot on everyone lips is what happens now? Representatives from the 187 countries that


signed up to the UN Framework on Climate Change have some serious work ahead of them, as the governments of these countries are now accountable for reaching these targets. One thing that is certain is that the world is


embarking on a long-term journey from reliance on fossil fuels to a clean energy economy, and that will require huge investment in renewables, biofuels and other low-carbon technology and infrastructure. While it’s early days, it is certain that green


house gas regulation will start to tighten up and inevitably put pressure on energy generators to clean up their act, with the potential to push energy costs higher – and that affects all businesses, large and small. It wasn’t so long ago that ‘green’ issues were


seen as peripheral to most companies but, with increased globalisation and intense competition for raw materials and natural resources, sustainability has become the mantra of the day. Being green is no longer just about reducing


energy and waste disposal costs, it’s a concept that has expanded to encompass sustainability: ensuring businesses can endure and thrive in the long term by adapting to disruptive market forces and new technologies while remaining increasingly accountable and transparent to all stakeholders.


regulation on carbon emissions and pressures on raw materials has meant that environmental sustainability is now high on the agenda. Te UK is ahead of the game in some areas


of carbon-related regulation and this has encouraged businesses to consider how they adapt to the new low-carbon environment. Glasgow Chamber is also taking a lead in this


area by developing the Green Business Network, to support its members to improve efficiencies, to drive sustainability and to increase profits. Te Green Business Network was launched


in July 2014 to position Glasgow as a leader in green business and sustainability. Te free-to-join network brings together the Glasgow business community to raise awareness of resource efficiency and the sustainability agenda and to provide support for businesses to network, share knowledge and collaborate. Te network also highlights the resources and advice available to businesses both online and offline. Alison McRae, Senior Director at Glasgow


Chamber, said: “We want to position Glasgow as the leading city in the UK for green issues, and the Green Business Network is a key part of achieving that. It’s a valuable forum for businesses to share best practice in sustainable initiatives and to increase competitiveness, and ultimately drive economic prosperity for the city. “We believe this collaborative culture can


differentiate Glasgow from the rest of the UK.” With around 100 members, the Green


Business Network has already made a significant impact through its 2015 Green Light programme. Run as a joint venture between Mabbet, Resource


Efficient Scotland, Scotish Enterprise and Glasgow Chamber, the programme provides companies with expert help, consultancy and training to develop their own Environmental Management System (EMS), which leads to reduced overhead costs and official green credentials. Several companies, such as William Tracey


Group, the Marriot Glasgow and Speirs Gumley, went through the steps to create an EMS and the first Green Light programme identified £100,000 in potential annual savings for the Glasgow businesses involved – which could result in a reduction of more than 450 tonnes of carbon each year. Plans are underway for a 2016 programme. Alison added: “It’s oſten perceived that green


issues are not a priority for business but we take this seriously and are commited to helping businesses and organisations understand how improved environmental performance can benefit them.” A recent survey of the Green Business


Network members showed that there was an appetite for information to become more resource efficient, so the Chamber, in parallel with its Green Business Network, is embarking on a campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the benefits of the circular economy. In contrast to the traditional linear economy


based on ‘make, use, dispose’, a circular economy is where resources are kept in use for as long as possible. Tis allows organisations to extract the maximum value from these resources while they are in use, then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life.


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