The independent research, commissioned by Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTXS), worryingly reveals that less than one in four UK directors view reducing carbon emissions at work as a priority, with a further 29% believing that it isn’t a relevant issue for their business at all.
Surprisingly, 30% of respondents stated they wouldn’t be embarking on any green initiatives in the next 12 months, while 5% stated they do not believe in global warming and think the government is just trying to raise taxes. However, the Citrix Online survey did reveal that directors of larger companies with over 250 employees (32%) were more likely to see carbon reduction as a priority than their counterparts in smaller businesses (24%).When questioned about the key drivers for carbon reduction, the main perceived benefit was one of expected cost savings, cited by 43% of all directors. However, of those directors who were actually taking steps to reduce their business carbon emissions (29%), “corporate social responsibility” outweighed the objective of reducing business costs, 39% to 22%. Prompted by the low levels of environmental activity among UK SMBs, Citrix Online has launched a website, www.gotocleanair.co.uk, to provide advice, information and tips on energy efficiencies to help encourage directors to bring their domestic efforts into the work-place. “We each have a responsibility to the environment and company directors have the power to make more of a difference by reducing the carbon footprint of their business, as well as their home,” commented Simon Presswell, Vice President, Citrix Online Division, EMEA. “It is really disappointing to discover how few directors are using their business influence to the good of the environment and we hope that this new website will help to provide some practical information and inspire change. “Consumer choice is now driven more and more by ethical issues and this will only increase in the future. Cost-cutting is obviously important but we must not lose sight of our responsibilities to our planet and this is where new technologies can help. For example, remote access and collaboration products, such as Citrix GoToMyPC and Citrix GoToMeeting, offer a simple way for companies to improve efficiency and do their bit for the environment at the same time,” Presswell added. Phil Wolski, Head of Fundraising, PURE, said: “Many FT500 and FTSE100/250 companies taking action are under significant direct pressure from the Carbon Disclosure Project. What these Citrix Online results suggest is that many smaller businesses, unaware of the implications of taking no action, may find that their business suffers as the indirect impacts of CDP are rapidly cascading down the business pyramid. Taking voluntary action now makes considerable sense.” GoToCleanAir - set up by Citrix Online in conjunction with PURE, the Clean Planet Trust - can help businesses across the UK better understand how they can reduce their carbon footprint, and bring green issues and heightened social responsibility into the workplace.
MOST POPULAR IN LAST 24 HRS
MOST POPULAR IN LAST 7 DAYS
|
