NEWS
GUIDE TO
a virtual Rolodex of the
issues and resources out
THE GUIDES
there.”
This Guide to the Guides
will help sustainability
Corporate managers will now get powerful help managers define and
with the release of a ‘Guide to the Guides’ – a implement purchasing
toolbox that helps them understand and find the policies for the entire range
best advice on how to purchase products of forest-based products,
originating from the world’s forests. from wood products like
Countless resources have been developed to construction materials and
help businesses sustainably procure forest-based furniture to paper products
products such as construction materials and like packaging, tissue paper
paper. This proliferation is confusing many and countless other
buyers. products.
Now a representative number of these It details topics such as
resources have been referenced in an easy-to- forest certification, legality,
use toolbox – which includes a full report environmental friendliness, social impacts, and
T
’S NEW?
detailing the top 10 questions that corporate recycled-content percentages, and directs
managers should ask when purchasing forest- managers to advice on tracing their supply
based products and references to resources for chains, implementing monitoring processes and
help, a shorter overview report, and a website – many other issues.
www.sustainableforestprods.org –with a “Corporate managers are taking a close
spreadsheet tool – released by the look at what they buy because of consumer
World Business Council for Sustainable preference for sustainable products,
Development (WBCSD) and the World Resources competitiveness, production costs and the
Institute (WRI). prestige of having a green brand,” said
“Finding credible purchasing information Jonathan Lash, WRI president. “We want to help
around the complexity of the issues – including them make smart choices – both for the bottom
WHA
forestry, climate change, energy and line and to benefit the environment, particularly
manufacturing – has always been a maze,” said in addressing climate change.”
David J. Refkin, director of sustainable www.sustainableforestprods.org
development at Time Inc., who participated in a www.wbcsd.org
launch event at the National Press Club. “This is www.wri.org
news news news news news news news
SLOWDOWN MEANS saving efforts in a downturn much as possible, four in 10 the long term, simply by
BUSINESSES ‘TOO can bring real benefits. companies said that there changing bad habits and
BUSY TO BE GREEN’ IN Many low-cost or no-cost wasn’t much they could do as being more resourceful.”
2008 ACCORDING TO energy saving measures, such a lone company, and felt that Half of all UK businesses
E.ON SURVEY as turning off lights and whatever they do ‘wouldn’t have taken action to reduce
equipment when not in use, have much effect’. More energy consumption in the
UK companies say that a can lead to tangible savings – than one in five said their last 12 months. Examples of
more difficult economy in saving 20% on energy use company already does energy action taken include:
2008 is having a direct can add the same amount enough and others need to Carrying out an energy
impact on their efforts to to profits as a 5% increase pull their weight. audit 21%
save energy, the annual in sales. And although energy is Installing more energy
E.ON Energy Action survey Across the UK, 34% of more of an issue than 12 efficient equipment 45%
has found. companies say that they will months ago for one in five Installing energy efficient
In the research by YouGov be taking energy action in businesses, 86% of all those lighting 53%
for energy company E.ON, 2008, though four in 10 questioned still don’t have Lowering heating/air
71% of senior business businesses admit they are still someone dedicated to conditioning 46%
leaders predict that the UK is ‘not doing as much as we managing their energy use. Having a staff energy
either heading for, or already could’ for the environment. Jim Macdonald, saving campaign 35%
in, a recession. Nearly half Just one in eight actually Commercial Director at E.ON Switching to a green
say that this will impact their plans to increase their energy said: “It’s understandable that energy tariff 6%
ability to be ‘greener’ by saving initiatives in 2008 to businesses put energy saving For more information
cutting back on the time and help save money. on the back burner when they please contact Victoria Blake
resources they dedicate to While more than half of all are focused on the short term. at E.ON on:
saving energy. businesses say that they have But saving energy is one of victoria.blake@eonenergy.com
But companies can actually a moral obligation as a the simplest ways of saving or 024 7618 1304
do the opposite and, says business to reduce their both money and the
E.ON, increasing energy environmental impact as environment, in the short and
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SUSTAINABLE FM | APRIL 2008
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