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Thinking green is a matter of consumer demand and goes beyond measuring return on investment, writes Vivienne Reiner
DESPITE the global belt-tightening, green job growth will not necessarily stall and in some cases goods and services with a sustainable edge may be viewed more favourably in a competitive environment, fuelling demand for appropriately skilled people.
The environment will certainly be on everyone's mind as we lead up to climate-change talks in Copenhagen this year. And consumers are increasingly aware of impending price hikes for energy and water -- with products that offer clear savings in this area proving most popular.
The business world remains supportive of green initiatives because of strong consumer concern about the environment, and the link between corporate social responsibility and reputation. A recent survey by market research company Panel Intelligence found that four in five corporate sustainability executives in North America plan to maintain or increase levels of sustainability-related spending in 2009, despite the economic conditions.
The Quarterly Sustainability Tracking Study data, compiled late last year before Barack Obama was voted in as President, found that despite a contracting economy and lower oil prices, corporate investment in energy efficiency remained strong. The responses, from 65 leading executives of Fortune 500 companies, also revealed, among other things, that for nearly 55 per...