Spring Break
Business market increases 'green' efforts for money
From Green to Gold
Ben Royce
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: News
Stakeholders range from individual consumers all the way to large corporations, such as Wal-Mart, he said.
Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott recently announced the company's environmental sustainability agenda.
In a statement, Scott called the program "Sustainability 360," according to walmartstores.com.
Scott's plan calls for more energy-efficient light bulbs, a 5 percent reduction in packaging and the super centers to become carbon-neutral.
The Wal-Mart Web site described these "global innovation projects" as the process by which the company will try to offer only products produced with renewable energy.
Although Esty thinks it is essential for businesses to change their environmental stance, he said they must keep in mind that they are a business. As such, their environmental changes should focus on developing an attractive and revenue-earning product.
To illustrate this point, Esty compared the automakers Ford and Toyota.
Ford renovated one of its manufacturing plants to include many emission- and energy-saving elements, but did not change its products - the vehicles.
Toyota, on the other hand, developed lighter, more fuel-efficient cars, and quarterly profit reports indicate this was the smarter decision.
The current focus on greener products by consumers and businesses is likely going to be a lasting trend in the face of environmental concerns, Esty said.
Global warming, water quality, deforestation, waste management and energy conservation were included in the 10 concerns he outlined.
Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott recently announced the company's environmental sustainability agenda.
In a statement, Scott called the program "Sustainability 360," according to walmartstores.com.
Scott's plan calls for more energy-efficient light bulbs, a 5 percent reduction in packaging and the super centers to become carbon-neutral.
The Wal-Mart Web site described these "global innovation projects" as the process by which the company will try to offer only products produced with renewable energy.
Although Esty thinks it is essential for businesses to change their environmental stance, he said they must keep in mind that they are a business. As such, their environmental changes should focus on developing an attractive and revenue-earning product.
To illustrate this point, Esty compared the automakers Ford and Toyota.
Ford renovated one of its manufacturing plants to include many emission- and energy-saving elements, but did not change its products - the vehicles.
Toyota, on the other hand, developed lighter, more fuel-efficient cars, and quarterly profit reports indicate this was the smarter decision.
The current focus on greener products by consumers and businesses is likely going to be a lasting trend in the face of environmental concerns, Esty said.
Global warming, water quality, deforestation, waste management and energy conservation were included in the 10 concerns he outlined.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Katrina Glover
posted 2/24/09 @ 1:57 AM CST
Nice book "Green to Gold.". Thanks author.
Alice Blaker
posted 3/02/09 @ 9:39 AM CST
Good and interesting article, thanks!
tomfeinberg
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posted 3/31/09 @ 10:56 AM CST
Nice post, thanks for sharing!
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