Let me try to explain as clearly and (unlike the original post) calmly as possible… Greening your business makes commercial sense; a couple of case studies to illustrate.

1. We have recently signed up a client who has placed all their stationery business with us. We have switched all products that have a climate-friendly alternative to green (WITHOUT charging a premium since we guarantee to switch without increasing your costs) and by utilising the cost controls in the e-procurement hub we supply (for free also), we have reduced their annual spend from +/- £120,000 down to +/- £40,000.

2. We work with a global printer supply company with whom 2 years ago we switched a major plc in the UK to climate-friendly printers utilising ‘green’ technology and, without compromising print quality, have saved them over £7 Million per annum in their printing costs

3. The news channels today announced that all National Trust properties have switched to low energy lightbulbs (another one of those ‘faddie’ green actions!) and have calculated that they will save £500,000 per annum in their power bills.

I could go on as we have numerous corporate clients who are making QUANTIFIABLE savings by switching to green stationery, furniture, building cooling/heating systems, printers & print solutions, PC power control software, office water supply, etc., etc.

It’s about time these ‘financial experts’ woke up and looked beyond their prejudices; if they do, they will discover what many businesses, small and large, have already discovered - being climate-friendly is business-friendly.

And, by the way, what does Mr. Northedge have to say about the implications of the Companies Act 2006, Ss. 172 and 417 ss(5)? When implemented (which appears still to be Oct 2008) a lack of any CSR/Enviro policy will surely become a Gordon Brown fine/tax wheezes so not going climate-friendly will actually cost more!

I look forward to reading other responses to this thread… this is not a discussion that should be allowed to fade away quietly.