|
Science, business, and government organizations are starting to support the fact that reducing greenhouse gas is an inevitable and integral component of doing business. Environmental awareness, particularly excess greenhouse gases, has seen a surge of visibility from the international and domestic business communities. Thus, businesses worldwide are turning their focus to increased environmental awareness through reduction of resource consumption, particularly of fossil fuels, which is the leading cause of excess greenhouse gases.
AMR Research addresses business? role in contributing to the betterment of the planet with the term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR is not in opposition to good business practices or improving financial performance. In fact, resource conservation can and does make good business sense. CSR is gaining support throughout the broad spectrum of the business world. Firms engaged in manufacturing, transportation, utilities, government, services, and agriculture are all adopting CSR-related policies, processes, and procedures - more often ahead of governmental regulation than because of it. Companies initiating such programs and that their bottom lines actually improve through greater efficiencies and increases in productivity and through greater consumer patronage in recognition of the company?s socially responsible position.
In business, one of the keys to successful environmental management is the collection of pertinent data and the processing of that data to determine program success and the direction of efforts required to expand success and remedy areas of weakness. One of the critical programs that can help organizations address this is an asset management application.
Purchasing such an application is not a casual exercise - it represents a commitment of resources, personnel, and company focus. As the data in this White Paper will demonstrate, many successful businesses have found that the e ort brings substantial rewards. This application can and will be a valuable tool in your overall business plan for resource conservation and for corporate success.
Infor is in no way committing to the development or delivery of any specified enhancement, upgrade, product or functionality. See "disclaimer" paragraph contained herein.
The History of Green Initiatives
The emergence of green initiatives in recent times is often looked upon as a new revolution freshly begun with the turn of the 21st century. Nothing could be further from the truth. Environmental awareness and the accompanying economic impact has in fact, been around for years.
Theodore Roosevelt was a "conservationist." At the turn of the 20th century, he initiated the National Parks system to preserve pristine areas of natural beauty for future generations. The 1973 oil embargo set forth another kind of conservationism - economic conservation: The sharp rise in the prices of petroleum products - especially gasoline - forced consumers to conserve resources because of the cost of such commodities. Resulting governmental mandates dictated to automobile manufacturers new, increased mileage requirements for their vehicle offerings. And the desire to get the most out of petroleum purchases led to the rise of automobile companies such as Toyota, Nissan (then Datsun), and a little-known company more famous for motorcycles than cars: Honda.
Each of these examples reflects conservation initiatives, which at the time, were seen as having a negative impact on business. Teddy?s conservationism withheld large portions of old-growth forests from harvesting thus increasing the cost of lumber. He met with vocal opposition, yet stuck to his guns - often alone and unsupported. Historically, e orts to conserve resources and protect the environment have been viewed as anti-business and anti-consumer. "Tree-hugger" was the common axiom used for persons thought to be irrationally focused upon their estimation of "nature" to the detriment of common work-a-day folk. At best, green initiatives were the purview of well-o liberal-leaning persons that were out of contact with mainstream reality.
Current Initiatives and Commitment to a Greener Planet
Earth Friendly Direction
Recent times have seen a tremendous shift in thinking when it comes to environmental issues. The emergence of the economies of China and India has sparked world-wide competition for oil. Even the American consumer is shifting to an environmentally aware position: dolphin-free tuna, organically grown produce, a move toward hybrid cars and ethanol-based fuel, fluorescent over incandescent light bulbs, solar panels and wind mills - consumers are "voting with their wallets" in favor of products and activities that are conservation-oriented and environmentally friendly.
|
