Almost half of UK entrepreneurs feel the government is not offering them sufficient incentives to go green, a new survey reveals.
Research commissioned by the Tenon forum, an independent think tank of UK entrepreneurs, found that 48% of owner-managers think the government isn’t doing enough to ensure businesses implement environmentally friendly policies.
Tax credits were offered as one of the most effective methods that the government could employ to encourage greener behaviour in the workplace.
However, despite believing that the government should be doing more, most of the small businesses questioned said that they were implementing eco-friendly practices.
According to Tenon, 81% of entrepreneurs encourage staff to turn off lights and equipment whenever possible, 79% recycle paper and 24% promote car sharing and the use of public transport.
Andy Raynor, chief executive officer of Tenon, said: “UK entrepreneurs are sending out a clear message to government.
“While most support implementing policies that reduce their environmental impact, they also cannot do so alone.
“Small businesses need the government to motivate and reward best environmental practices with tax credits so that green behaviour also makes a genuine difference to their bottom line.”
However, Khalid Aziz, chairman of the Aziz Corporation, argued that business owners should be taking more responsibility themselves, rather than blaming their inadequate environmental efforts on the government.
He also argued that controlling the increasing carbon footprints of emerging economies such as India and China was perhaps a more pressing concern.
“They will say to Britain – you’ve been polluting the atmosphere for the past 25 years – now it’s our turn,” said Aziz.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
