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We’ve all heard of the ‘greenwash’ or ‘green sheen’,
but a new survey of the FTSE 250 by BSI British Standards
reveals a genuine and significant commitment to environmental
issues among British business.
81% of those surveyed have implemented an environmental management
system such as ISO 14001 - an increase of 10% from 2006.
To mark World Standards Day 2008 (14th Oct), BSI British
Standards, the UK’s national standards body, surveyed 100
of the FTSE 250 on their attitudes to environmental management.
95% of those surveyed - compared with 84% in 2006 - believed
that their company’s environmental performance had improved
over the last ten years, demonstrating that businesses recognise
their responsibilities and are acting on them. 35% of companies
surveyed identified rising energy costs as the single biggest
environmental concern for their business, while one-quarter
were most interested in reducing their carbon emissions.
Mike Low, Director of BSI British Standards, said -
"Most people now accept that everyone must take action on
the environment and it’s clear that there is recognition of
the business and social benefits of going green in the boardroom.
I hope that businesses of any size or sector will also see
the relevance of an environmental system for their operations.
The challenge is to use specific standards to measure the
impact and reduce costs."
As well as environmental management systems such as ISO 14001,
which help monitor and improve environmental performance,
BSI continues to develop a wide range of sustainability and
environmental products -
- BSI will soon launch PAS 2050 Specification for the
assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of
goods and services. Developed with Defra and the Carbon
trust, PAS 2050 aims to provide a single agreed methodology
for measuring the greenhouse gas emissions for goods and
services across their entire life cycle.
- PAS 2020 A standard for reducing the environmental
impact of direct marketing is due to be published later
this year.
- BS 8901 Specification for a sustainable event management
system with guidance for use was published in November
2007.
For more information on BSI British Standards - Click
Here
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