Three Secrets of Green Business: Unlocking Competitive Advantage in a Low Carbon Economy

by Gareth Kane

Overview

Business is coming under increasing pressure from government, customers and campaigning groups to improve its environmental performance. Soaring utility and compliance costs are hitting companies where it hurts - on their bottom line. But there is another way of looking at the green agenda - as an opportunity rather than a threat.

Written by renowned green business expert Gareth Kane, this practical 'how-to' guide contains everything you need to know about making your business green and increasing profits. Key features include:

' The Three Secrets of Green Business Success.

' Preparing To Go Green - change management, indicators, communication and marketing.

' Small Steps - the easy actions that will cut waste of materials, water and energy and save you money.

' Huge Leaps - the really big changes that will make your business truly green by changing your processes, products and business models.

' Hundreds of handy hints and tips.

' Checklists and a brainstorming tool

Packed with examples, this book provides a highly accessible, practical guide to those who want to introduce sustainability into their business or organization quickly and effectively.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781136544743
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/01/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	955 KB

About the Author

Gareth Kane, an environmental consultant, has worked with hundreds of organisations to improve their environmental performance. He has appeared as a media pundit on sustainability issues on the BBC Six O'Clock News, Countryfile and The Politics Show. In 2008 The Journal newspaper named Gareth as a 'Rising Star, Future Leader' for his work on sustainability.

Table of Contents

Part I: Setting the Scene

The Big Picture
A Sustainable Future
Business and the Environment

Part II: The Three Secrets of Green Business Success

Secret No. 1: Understand the Business Case
Secret No 2: What To Do
Secret No. 3: How To Do It

Part III: Preparing To Go Green

The Essentials Of Change
Creating A Culture For Change
Environmental Management Systems
Measuring Performance
Creating A Strategy
External Communication

Part IV: Small Steps

Small Steps: Doing Things Right
Pollution Incident Prevention
Waste Minimisation & Recycling
Energy Efficiency
Water Conservation
Greening Your Supply Chain
Transport
Carbon Offsetting

Part V: Huge Leaps

Huge Leaps: Doing the Right Thing
Cleaner Production
Renewable Energy
Green Buildings
Industrial Symbiosis
Eco-Design
Product Service-Systems
Exploiting Synergies
Final Thoughts

Appendix 1: Sources of Help

Appendix 2: Checklists

Appendix 3: Brainstorming Tool

Editorial Reviews

'Brilliant! The most comprehensive and practical business guide I have ever read about environmental issues.' Jo Bennison, Director, Daxi Environmental 'Written in a clear language that unravels sustainability and the methodology of green business ... The author's extensive experience reinforces the credibility of his approach to achieve the competitive advantage in a low carbon economy.' Quality World 'If you‘re part of a small business in the UK and want an easy to read yet comprehensive guide to green business, go no further ... this is it. Gareth‘s tone and content are perfect for many time poor managers pushed into dealing with today‘s growing green pressures, and usually with little previous experience of environmental management.' David Connor, Coethica 'A must read for enterprise managers that want to move towards sustainability, but believe they can't or don't know how. With all the down-to-earth guidance available in the book, that excuse can no longer stand in the way of action.' Dr John Ehrenfeld, Chief Executive, Industrial Society for Industrial Ecology 'Provides business, whether large or small, with all the information necessary to be at the forefront of sustainability. This publication is more than a handbook, it will lead to a change in philosophy for any company that takes the time to read it and implement its ideas.' Prof Graham Street, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Technology 'Forthright and practical, Gareth Kane provides the nuggets of really helpful advice which managers and small business owners need to prioritise which environmental improvements to make and how to make them. This sleeves-rolled-up approach is combined with big picture thinking about what'sustainable development really means, and why it's important.' Penny Walker, Environmental Consultant and Author of Change Management for Sustainable Development and Introduction to Environmental Awareness, Trainer's Manual 'You have very nicely encapsulate

From the Publisher