Irish businesses need more help in order to become more environmentally sustainable and energy efficient, according to a new survey by business group Dublin Chamber.
A poll carried out by Dublin Chamber, the representative voice for businesses in the Dublin region, found that less than 1 in 10 companies (7%) believe that the Government is currently doing enough to help businesses become more sustainable.
More than two-thirds (69%) said that the State must do more to aid companies looking to become more sustainable and more efficient. The remaining 24% of respondents answered 'don't know'.
More than half of respondents to the Chamber's survey (56%) said they were aware of the potential savings/profits that could be achieved from a more environmentally sustainable approach to doing business. A further 23% of firms said they were aware that savings could be made but that they did not have the necessary tools, knowledge or framework in place in order to capitalise. Almost 1 in 10 firms (7%) said they didn't believe there are any savings to be made from making changes.
The results of the survey, carried out by the Chamber amongst 215 companies in February this year, were announced this morning at the launch of Dublin Chamber's new 'Sustainable Dublin 2050' events series in Croke Park.
This morning's Sustainable Dublin 2050 event, sponsored by Pinergy, KBC Bank, Matheson and Transdev Ireland, featured a keynote from the Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment, Richard Bruton.
Dublin Chamber is calling on the Government to ensure full engagement with the business community as Ireland seeks to transition to a low carbon economy. The Chamber believes that the business community can play a key role in meeting the targets of any Government plan by changing work practices and influencing employees to adopt more environmentally sustainable behaviours.
Speaking today, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive, Mary Rose Burke said, "We've seen an increased demand from companies in Dublin that are looking for more help and information when it comes to becoming more environmentally sustainable. Businesses are once again focused on the need to become more sustainable. They realise that making changes will not only benefit the environment, but also their bottom line."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
