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Sep 30, 2008
Going green: Firms can do a lot more
By Tania Tan
BUSINESSES here are getting greener, but the results of a new survey suggest firms still have some way to go before they can be considered truly eco-friendly.

While many have adopted policies to protect the earth - like using energy-efficient lightbulbs and printing on both sides of office paper - few have gone beyond measures that also help them cut costs.

'Going green still hasn't taken root yet,' said Mr Leon Perera, managing director of Spire Research and Consulting, which surveyed 106 firms. 'Green measures are still skin-deep for most companies.'

Spire conducted phone interviews with firms in seven countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including China, Korea and Vietnam.

The companies were either large or multinational corporations, said Mr Perera.

At least one was a Fortune 500 company, he said, declining to reveal their names.

Eight in 10 companies here have adopted environmental conservation measures, the survey found.

This puts the Singapore ahead their counterparts in neighbouring countries, where only about 67 per cent have adopted green measures.

Results of the inaugural survey were encouraging, said Mr Perera but he stopped short of calling local businesses 'green'.

'A truly green business is one that practises environmental consciousness from top management right down to the janitor,' he said.

Korean corporations best fit the definition of 'green firms', with regular participation and donations to environmental causes, as well as carbon-trading, said Mr Perera.

The president of non-profit group Environmental Challenge Organisation, Mr Wilson Ang, said businesses understand that 'going green helps to boost their bottom line'.

'The next challenge is turning awareness into action,' he said.

The environment has been moving up on the national agenda, with an inter-ministry committee recently pledging to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.

But some companies are hoping for a more aggressive approach by the public sector.

'If China can ban plastic bags, why not Singapore?' said Mr Harold Kloeden, general manager of waste management company Veolia Environmental Services Singapore.

He was referring to a measure Beijing put in place during the Olympics.

Polystyrene cups and plates are a big no-no at his company headquarters in Tuas.

Employees use non-disposable crockery instead.

'Being a little bit more green is sometimes a little bit less convenient but it's necessary and it feels good,' said Mr Kloeden.

ON ALL LEVELS

'A truly green business is one that practises environmental consciousness from top management right down to the janitor.'
Mr Leon Perera, managing director of Spire Research and Consulting