Perception of firms' environmental management 'important'

07 November 2011

Posted by Michelle Devonshire

The public perception of the commitment of firms to environmental management is "very important", it has been suggested.

According to the Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA), the image of a business when it comes to energy efficiency can have a substantial impact on its performance.

Executive Director of the company, Alan Aldridge, explained that consumers will often assess how environmentally responsible a firm is before they deal with it and this also applies to other organizations, including those in the public sector.

Speaking at an event in Manchester, he stated: "With the general public, brand is important - is it a green company? Is it a responsible company? Do I want to buy my products off your shelf? The brand can be very important."

The ESTA official pointed out that the three major factors persuading companies in the UK to improve their sustainability are climate change, energy prices and energy supply.

However, he also stressed "there is a 'value' driver" that affects businesses that can affect their bottom line, adding that "brand value counts".

His comments come after the Department of Energy and Climate Change reported last month that the Energy Act has come into law.

The legislation paves the way for the Green Deal, establishing a legal framework for the establishment of the scheme to boost the energy efficiency of homes and businesses in the UK.

It will launch in autumn 2012 and Greg Barker, the Climate Change Minister, stated that it "will be a massive business opportunity", with anticipated capital investment of £15 billion within the British residential sector by 2020 and 250,000 new jobs created.

The Act will remove the upfront cost of green measures, improve energy efficiency installation and enhance at least 682,000 privately-rented homes across the country ahead of new standards coming into force for businesses and residential properties from April 2018.