07 Nov 2008

Firms should think green in the short-term, expert says

Businesses should consider sustainability issues in the short-term, despite the financial pressures facing many companies amid the global credit crunch.

Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, told a Business for Social Responsibility conference this week that firms must look beyond their short-term financial performance to boost their growth over the long-term.

She told the US audience that business leaders need to consider the bigger picture and integrate the themes of social responsibility, sustainability and financial performance into their strategies.

"If we are going to navigate a more punishing business environment, we who believe in sustainable business have to make the case that it's an essential piece of a strong economy," Ms Lubber said.

Companies and their supply chains need to work together to focus on green issues and in doing so, address value and the bigger issues facing the US national economy, she added.

Some 70 per cent of firms view investments which prove both cost-effective and energy-efficient as a top priority, according to a survey by Storage Expo last month.