News
Government survey reveals growing importance of Environmental performance
Netregs, the Government body set up to provide free environmental guidance to small businesses has just published their SME-nvironment 2007 survey. The survey, undertaken in June, asked a random sample of small and medium sized businesses in the UK about their understanding of environmental legislation and their company’s environmental performance. In all, nearly 4,500 businesses were interviewed across a range of sectors including manufacturing, hospitality, printing, transport and construction.
Overall, the survey revealed that businesses do seem more aware of, and concerned about, their environmental impact. 48% of businesses stated that they had already introduced practical measured to reduce environmental damage, an increase of 17% on 2005 and more businesses now have a formal environmental policy, up from 26% in 2005 to 40% in this year’s survey.
However, the picture wasn’t universally positive, as many businesses still seem unsure of their responsibilities or even unaware of the environmental damage that their organisations may create. When asked only 15% of businesses considered that they undertook activities that could harm the environment when in reality this figure was nearly 50%. It was also true that the smaller the business, the lower the environmental awareness.
Of those organisations that have introduced environmental policies , two-thirds said that this was as a result of general concern for the environment. Only one-third were driven by legislation and surprisingly only 13% said it was for cost-saving reasons. It seems that, particularly within small and medium sized organisations, a strong personal commitment to protecting the environment can have a dramatic impact upon the environmental performance and policy of the business.
To see the full report and detailed findings of the Netregs SME-nvironment 2007 survey, please visit www.netregs.gov.uk