A New Dilimma for Green Businesses

The challenges faced by businesses today trying to Go Green are immense. We may innocently hope that the process is similar applying a fresh coat of paint.  It is not!  The task of Greening a business is often lightly planned, lightly accomplished, and the regular business of the company goes merrily on its way. The glaring issue is that environmentalism is progressive, not static. It is far too easy to fall into a “Token Green” belief that a little bit is good enough. 

While we must acknowledge that every contribution, great or small, is valuable to the greater environmental issues; the immensity of the issue cannot be resolved by token Green efforts that do not carry through all needful parts of a Green business. Going Green, quite frankly, is a three to five year commitment! Even with that long-term commitment of a five year plan, the business must take proactive steps on a month-by-month schedule to reach a level of serious Greening.

If that shocks anyone, it reveals the poor perception of the immensity of this issue. There are hundreds of Green practices that must be gradually integrated into the daily operation. Business cannot be glib about the process. Greening any business is a substantial commitment that literally changes hundreds of simple and more complex activities of the daily operation. Therefore, rather than tackling the problem with the same vigor as the company might an inventory shortfall, it is very common to address the concern with superficial or token efforts that are thereafter promoted as a Green commitment. 

The recent executive order #13514, gives any intelligent person a glimpse into the future. One clear mandate is the need to install a Green or Sustainability Office in the company. That Green Officer is going to be responsible to produce a sustainability plan for the business. As anyone can see from the executive order, the requirements go well beyond what most self-appointed Green companies offer.

Be aware that every business will eventually need a CSO (Chief Sustainability Officer) or CGO (Chief Green Officer) in the operation of the business.  The reason is that the progress and information required for an authentically Green business should not be a shallow effort.  The issues are real regardless of your opinion of global warming or diversion of your precious time.  The stresses on world resources are immense. Even drinking water is deemed to be the next environmental crisis. We simply cannot continue consuming resources at an uncontrolled rate while providing band aids on gaping wounds.  We are quickly passing (or already have passed) the time of simple cures.

Green Officer training is now offered in a comprehensive program for any green officer via an incredible Internet curriculum.   If your company does not have the capacity or desire to train and install a Green Officer, it is a good investment to outsource the Green officer duty by seeking a Certified Green Officer.  One thing is clear, the day of “Easy Green” is passing, and the necessity to have a certified Green officer or certified Green consultant is upon us.