Environmental consciousness is becoming an emerging issue in the economic world as more companies and organizations across the world are starting to make bold steps in reducing their negative impact on the environment (Weng, Chen, & Chen, 2015). This, of course, has come as a result of repeated warnings on the impact that economic processes are having to the ecosystem and how future generations will suffer greatly for the damage that is being done now. Developing an eco-conscious environment within organizations starts within the organization itself by ensuring that the working staffs are environmentally conscious. For organizations and corporates to achieve this level of consciousness, it is important to formulate policies that encourage environmentally-friendly habits (Perron, Coˆte, & Duffy, 2006, p.552), not only in work-related activities but also in the day-to-day lives of the employees from the manager to the cleaner.
Christian teachings, as well as those of other religions across the world, recognize that human beings are in charge of the earth and all that is in it, including resources such as energy, water, vegetation, and animals. It is, therefore, on the same principle that companies and organizations should be aware that it is their duty and obligation to preserve the environment and this can only be achieved if organizations change their behavior by having environmental awareness (Nemcsicsné Zsóka, 2007, p.110). There are various every day accessible and inexpensive ways through which organizations can reduce damage to the environment. Among these ways include having a recycling program within the organization, encouraging a paperless office system, and conserving energy in the office such as switching off lights that are not in use. Other measures include reusing resources, planting vegetation within the office and its parameters, supporting green ventures by making it part of the company culture, and volunteering in green or environmental projects, among other activities.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The world is quickly depleting some of its core resources such as vegetation and energy sources, which poses a great risk to the sustainability of future generations. Because of this, some companies have been on the frontline in implementing measures to conserve the environment in their economic activities. A good example is IKEA, who have made conscious investments in promoting sustainability in its business operations. The giant international store acquires its timber from sustainable forest growers, and its cotton is obtained from estate holdings that meet the Better Cotton Standards (IKEA, 2015). In addition to that, the giant retailer has more than 700,000 solar panels that provide energy and power to its stores and plants (Murray, 2015) across the world. This has made IKEA among the top companies that promote the sustainability of the environment.
There are various benefits of companies being environmentally conscious, and some of these benefits are not just limited to the environment but also to the organization as well. By being environmentally conscious, organizations save a lot of money on utility costs as their processes become more efficient. As organizations reuse their existing material in innovative and creative ways, less money is spent on buying new stock to create products (Chopra, 2015). For example, United Airlines ventured into using sustainable bio-jet fuel by partnering with Alt Air Fuels. This has consequently created more business for them as their airline prices are very competitive. Another advantage is that green marketing and good environmental practice attracts new customers as they affiliate themselves with protecting the environment through a company’s products.
In addition to that, being environmentally conscious improves the sustainability of an organization as they are less dependent on natural resources (Mohanraj & Karthikeyan, 2016), unlike their competitors. This is becoming a reality as governments are now pushing for the conservation of the environment by introducing policies and laws that prohibit the use or overuse of natural resources such as trees for wood. Such policies may immensely affect businesses that are fully dependent on natural resources, and this places them at a disadvantage in the market. Going green also presents organizations with new business opportunities, especially from organizations and government institution who only want to conduct business with companies that have a green policy in their products. It also promotes healthy living in society.
Despite the numerous benefits, there are also some challenges that are associated with companies going green. A major challenge is high-entry barriers that require huge capital to start as most require laboratory and research equipment (Saxena & Khandelwa, 2009). This is a commitment that most organizations cannot afford to make as they do not have the financial capacity to do so. Large organizations such as IKEA and Unilever have the financial muscle to adapt and implement green measure; however, this is not the case for all organizations. In addition to that, going green may increase the prices of products, which might lead to customer backlash and huge losses for the organization. In the case of going paperless, there is a high risk of data loss, system crash, or hacking. As a result of these disadvantages, many organizations contemplate if going green is really worth it.
Taking the step of being environmentally conscious is a bold step for organizations, whether big or small. The debate as to whether it is worth it or not should be guided by a moral compass that gives human beings and organizations the responsibility of ensuring the earth is sustainable. The steps towards being environmentally conscious should not necessarily be extravagant, but it could be small steps such as recycling, reusing, planting more trees, reducing carbon emissions, and conserving energy sources, among others. In the end, these measures are for the benefit of the earth, and all that live in it.
References
Chopra, A. K. (2015). Green Marketing -Challenges and Opportunities. Phagwara, India: CKD institute of Management and Technology.
IKEA. (2015, October 30). IKEA announces the major cotton milestone . Retrieved June 13, 2019, from IKEA: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/about_ikea/newsitem/101315_sustain-IKEA-Better-cotton
Mohanraj, G., & Karthikeyan, P., (2016). Green Marketing -New Opportunities and Challenges. Asian Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities , 1238-1244.
Murray, J., (2015, January 29). IKEA: Green business incrementalism excites no one . Retrieved June 13, 2019, from Business Green: https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/interview/2392561/ikea-green-business-incrementalism-excites-no-one
Nemcsicsné Zsóka, Á. (2007). The role of organizational culture in the environmental awareness of companies. Journal for East European Management Studies , 109-131.
Perron, G. M., Coˆte, R. P., & Duffy, J. F. (2006). Improving environmental awareness training in business. Journal of Cleaner Production , 551-562.
Saxena, R. P., & Khandelwa, P. K. (2009). Green marketing: a challenge or an opportunity in the global environment. Global Studies Journal , 59-73.
Weng, H.-H. (., Chen, J.-S., & Chen, P.-C. (, 2015). Effects of Green Innovation on Environmental and Corporate Performance: A Stakeholder Perspective. Sustainability , 4997-5026.
