Programs and Incentives to Grow Your Eco Business
On May 25, 2009, the World Business Summit on World Climate Change claimed that the United States alone will create up to 2 million jobs by developing clean and renewable energy sources. European Union president Jose Manuel Barroso assured CEOs from some of the top international corporations that these type of investments could also generate up to 1 million jobs in European Union countries. Because of the incentive to turn to wind, solar, and other types of renewable sources, many corporate leaders are working with politicians to create and negotiate a viable new global climate treaty that would replace the Kyoto Protocol that will expire in 2012.
In the United States, President Obama has called for doubling renewable energy capacities within 3 years and has created 30 billion dollars in tax incentives to support his belief that this can happen. His mandate is to generate significant inroads in green sector jobs, which will also inspire colleges to help create a green workforce around the country by offering courses that support these careers. President Obama has created a number of workable tax incentives for small businesses that generate what is now being called “green collar” employment.
In February, Mr. Obama signed an important economic stimulus package that highlighted environmental initiatives that according to Joseph Romm, the former Assistant Secretary of Energy for President Clinton, is a landmark bill for creating a lower carbon economy. President Obama is hopeful that the emphasis on a greener economy will create or save over 3 million jobs over the next two years.
Green Credentials
In both the private and public sectors, partnering with green organizations is becoming an important way to establish environmentally responsible credentials. By aligning with the right partner, businesses can demonstrate their intentions to move towards eco-friendly practices. This would also inspire companies to create greater corporate transparency, providing full disclosure about their eco policies to customers as well as the financial community. Above all, partnering with established green organizations is the ideal way to help companies find solutions to challenging issues regarding sustainability.
Greenpeace and Guitars
One of the most interesting partnerships to date is the alliance between Greenpeace and the musical instrument industry. The Music Wood Campaign has united Martin, Gibson, Yamaha, Fender and other guitar makers in making a concerted effort to maintain eco-friendly habits as some of the most popular wood for making guitars comes from trees that are hundreds of years old.
In the past several years, many instruments makes have been grinding up and recycling old guitars to create new Les Pauls or Martin acoustics. Of late, some of these respected guitar companies are replacing their old construction methods with fast growing domestic wood like eucalyptus and bamboo, often finished with a water-based element rather than the usual polyurethane.
Along with Greenpeace, guitar companies are now insisting that logging practices be investigated so that old-growth wood can be exempted from clear-cutting whereby all trees are removed from a specific area. The prime focus at the moment is on Sitka spruce, a fundamental material used in guitar and piano soundboards. (Source)
Incentives Through the EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created a wide variety of incentive programs to incite businesses of every size to incorporate eco-friendly practices. By sponsoring both partnerships and stewardships, the company is helping industries reduce their negative impact on the environment. There are now over 13,000 United States businesses and organizations involved in these programs.
Some of these programs include:
Product Stewardship: assisting manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and disposers to share the responsibility for creating greener product lines
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED): – created by the U.S. Green Building Council, this group sets standards and a rating system for environmentally sustainable construction within the building industry.
Design for the Environment (DfE): a program that develops partnerships that can curtail pollution by uniting industry representatives and environmental groups.
Green Power Partnership: a voluntary program that provides technical support, tools, and advice to businesses
For more information on green business programs and incentives see:
http://www.business.gov/business-law/environmental-regulations/environmental-management/industry-partnerships.html
