Labour of Love - Barbados Investment and Development Corporation

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Green Certification The Future Centre Trust (FCT) has launched a major initiative that is destined to bring Barbados closer to becoming a green economy. It comes in the form of the Green Business Barbados programme. Coordinator Lani Edghill gave the Barbados Business Catalyst some insight into the initiative, which was awarded grant financing in May this year from the Ministry of the Environment. She explained that through this programme, companies will get the opportunity to be part of a truly green revolution which will ensure that green business practices will become the rule, rather than the exception. Green Business Barbados, she said, provides the country with a realistic and true contribution to the reduction of its ecological footprint. It will promote and create a change in generational thinking which will be of direct benefit to business, and in turn the population of this country. Edghill said Barbados has the opportunity, with this project, to show the world we are taking serious interest in reducing its carbon and ecological footprint. “Not just taking an interest, but taking action as we, through this same process, implement adaptation measures to the impacts of climate change on the region. By creating a truly green economy, we become the forerunners and the examples of how we can choose to ensure the sustainability of our country,” she added. Programme Components The programme, which will award green certification to participating companies is comprised of five major components. Edghill explained that these components were developed based on existing green business programme standards from all over the world. These standards, she added, had been localised through consultation with a Technical Advisory Committee and were based on affordable and attainable options for large and small businesses alike in the local business community. The five components of the project are: • Waste Reduction & Recycling- which focuses on options available to reduce consumption; • Energy Conservation & Renewable Energy Developmentwhich focuses on reducing reliance on unsustainable energy sources and the creation of new habits to reduce consumption. • Pollution Control & Management- which addresses the need for businesses and organisations to consider more their emissions and their direct impact on the physical environment. • Water Conservation- which addresses issues related to the preservation of water resources and encourages organisations to assess their water use practices and reduce consumption in any way possible. • Education and Outreach- The implementation of the above four components would not be possible without human behavioural change. Our current system is not set up to allow for informed sustainable decisions to be made. Thus changing behaviour and awareness on environmental, social and economic issues can help to create an environment where businesses, organizations and individuals alike feel a sense of social and environmental responsibility. “Not just taking an interest, but taking action as we, through this same process, implement adaptation measures to the impacts of climate change on the region. By creating a truly green economy, we become the forerunners and the examples of how we can choose to ensure the sustainability of our country.” Green Business Certification Companies which wish to achieve green certification under the programme are encouraged to contact the FCT. An initial consultation with the organisation will be undertaken to highlight the benefits and costs associated with the programme and to assess parts already implemented within the business/ organisation. This will then lead to the creation of a Green Strategy and Action Plan with business owner/director and green team/representative. A further assessment of existing conditions within the organisation is then conducted based on the five component areas. A report is issued with recommendations on areas where improvements can be made to meet the programme requirements. There will be a period allowed for implementation of requirements not yet attained, based on the goals and objectives outlined in the plan and another assessment is then undertaken. Based on the level of achievement, the business is given a green business award. For those companies not meeting the requirement for Green Business status after the re-assessment, a green officer is assigned to work closely with that company to make it happen. Staff training is a requirement for all companies seeking to go green as well as the creation of green teams and the appointment of a green team leader to spearhead operation changes required. Quarterly green business products, services and resource updates are required and each participating company will need to be reassessed every year in order to retain its Green Business status. 12 Barbados Business Catalyst • April - June 2010
Green Certification Green Business Benefits In explaining the motivation behind encouraging companies to go green, Edghill stated “Going green not only makes good business sense, but can result in considerable savings through a reduction in water and energy bills as well as a reduction in overall consumption.” When a company achieves compliance with the green business standards, it receives a Green Business Barbados logo which can be used in print and electronic marketing to compliment that business’ corporate responsibility image. This affords companies a marketing edge, making them more appealing to potential customers who support socially and environmentally responsible business organisations. Companies certified under the programme will be listed in the green business directory at www.BusinessBarbados.com, one of the main supporters for creating a local green business certification body and the marketing link for businesses who are approved, or applying for approval in Barbados. They will also be listed on the FCT website, www.futurecentretrust.org. In March 2010 the British High Commission became the first business organization to achieve the green business award and was presented to the public on World Water Day, March 22nd during the Green Reception hosted by the High Commission. This award was given after four months of green business assessment and implementation. This period was considered a trial run and revealed a number of real world lessons. It also allowed for the creation of partnerships with local companies to provide environmentally friendly goods and services that are required by the programme. It therefore has been creating new business opportunities for local entrepreneurs and businesses who wish to provide environmentally friendly products and services. The FCT is hoping to make the Green Business Barbados programme the leading one for Barbados and the wider Caribbean region. In addition to private sector partnerships the programme has also formed a partnership with the Ministry of the Environment. This partnership recognizes the importance of the project to sustainable development goals for the country and the need for non-profits to assist government in the implementation of some of these goals through such beneficial projects. This partnership also helps to bridge the gap between private and public realms in a cross sectoral fashion in order to jump start the new green economy. For more details please visit www.futurecentretrust.org or log on to Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=695275462&ref=profile#!/group.php?gid=1102283 75677829&ref=mf. Coordinator Lani Edghill can be contacted at lani@futurecentretrust.org Barbados Business Catalyst • April - June 2010 13
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