Widespread media attention has been devoted to President-elect Barack Obama’s comments about stimulating green jobs. According to Reuters, “Barack Obama has said the answer to jump starting both job growth and the U.S. economy may lie in developing green technology.” Certainly the jobs in this sector have expanded over the past five years.

On the other hand, an opportunity also exists for businesses to reduce costs by incorporating green practices. Kevin Wilhelm, CEO of Sustainable Business Consulting writes in Environmental Leader  “Sustainability may actually be the best defense against market volatility during uncertain economic times.” Wilhelm goes on to share a number of examples of how companies are “acting more ‘sustainable’ and are saving money at the same time.”

The companies that offer environmentally beneficial goods and services are capitalizing on a growing consumer market. Meanwhile, companies embracing green practices are reducing costs for waste disposal, water and energy.  

Another hot topic is how IT can become greener, thus reducing energy consumption and costs. The following two links may be helpful if you are interested in exploring this topic further: 

Climate savers computing  

The Green Grid

To help companies evaluate energy reduction efforts, Sun Microsystems has created OpenEco.org  which "is a global on-line community that provides free, easy-to-use tools to help participants assess, track, and compare energy performance, share proven best practices to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and encourage sustainable innovation.”

Perhaps another opportunity exists when organizations collaborate. The participants in GTAA Partners in Project Green are sharing best practices, working together to solve land use issues and transportation problems and looking for opportunities to exchange useful waste by-products. Some of the benefits to be gained by the over 12,500 businesses participating include: “sustainable economic development, by-product synergies or exchanges and greater returns for capital investment”

References:

“Eco-Business Approach.” GTAA Partners in Project Green [www.partnersinprojectgreen.com]. Obtained November 25, 2008.

“Green collar jobs: key to US future?” Reuters [www.reuters.com]. November 13, 2008.

Wilhelm, Kevin. “Sustainability – Businesses’ Best Defense Against Recession.” Environmental Leader [www.environmentalleader.com]. November 14, 2008.