The Leader - September/October 2008 - (Page 38) real e stat e maNaGemeNt Conservation and the Bottom Line: Reducing Costs and Improving Your Corporate Image BY johN aNDersoN T here is a recent trend among companies, universities and other facilities around the world to implement a green initiative not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it’s good business. By “going green,” organizations are not only reducing costs and improving their image among constituents, they are also helping to conserve our natural resources. One of the major forces behind this green movement is the pressure being applied by customers, employees, students and consumers who are demanding more eco-friendly environments. But the economic benefits of a green agenda play an important role in the environmental movement within the corporate arena as well. According to research conducted by Johnson Controls of North American business leaders, 52 percent say cost savings is their main driver for investing in energy efficiency measures, 35 percent say cost savings and environmental responsibility are equal motivators, and 13 percent report environmental concern is the greater motivator. The Kyoto Protocol is another driving factor. The Kyoto Protocol is an amendment to the United Nations international treaty on climate change which assigned mandatory emission limitations to the member nations for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. More than 160 countries have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, meaning (among other things) that participating developed countries (“Annex I Countries”) have committed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (gasses such as carbon dioxide and methane emitted from the consumption of fossil fuels) by a collective average of 5 percent below their 1990 levels. However, some environmental programs, such as creating green buildings, can be quite costly and require a major commitment of time and resources. While these can be very beneficial and save companies money in the long run, many organizations don’t have the capital to undertake these types of major projects. Fortunately, there are other, less expensive ways to move the green agenda forward, such as making better use of your resources through smarter scheduling of shared resources and assets. resource scheDulING techNoloGY Is eco-frIeNDlY Whatever the motivating factor may be, resource scheduling technology is playing a key role in organizations’ green initiatives by helping them reduce, reuse and recycle resources. Unlike voluntary conservation initiatives that rely on individual participation, automated 2 0 0 8 th e le aDe r 38 septemBer / octoBer
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