19/08/2011
Small and medium-sized enterprises are interested in using 'green' initiatives to keep utility costs down, though more support from the government is needed.
Becoming 'greener' can help SMEs grow, through cost savings that can be redirected into formerly nice-to-have projects such as the training and development of staff or expansion initiatives.
Additionally, developing a reputation as a corporately responsible enterprise is not only great PR but serves as a candidate attraction tool, key for those who are recruiting.
While many companies are taking advantage of cheaper energy bills as a result of eco-projects, research from the Forum of Private Business (FPB) has found that many SMEs exhibit reluctance, worried that "red tape and taxes will stop wider adoption of environmentally friendly policies."
The FPB's research was generally very positive, finding that 90 per cent of respondents had made some sort of change to reduce energy use and a third had embraced the use of energy efficient equipment.
Even more encouraging, according to Government Opportunities, is that 77 per cent of SMEs believe that being green is still possible in the present climate, despite that fact that "green taxes inhibit their ability to invest in reducing energy use."
If taxes are preventing these decision-makers from making necessary investments and ultimately saving themselves money on bills, perhaps they might like to consider invoice factoring as a way to release some cash quickly.
FPB chief executive, Phil Orford, told microscope.co.uk: "Small businesses see the benefits of green practices and technologies to the environment and, given rising energy costs, to their bottom lines."
Elizabeth Smythe