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The green debate

Posted by Andrew Mernin on October 2, 2007 5:44 PM | 

It seems you can't switch on the TV or radio these days without hearing the words carbon footprint or global warming.

Everyone seems to be banging the green drum at the moment as governments and businesses finally look to have got the message that we need to look after the environment for generations to come.

But just how pressing is the need to protect the environment compared to other issues effecting our region? One thing that concerns me is that a number of North-East businesses which employ a significant amount of people and make a huge contribution to our economy are being hindered and even threatened by increasingly stringent environmental constraints.

Don't get me wrong, I'd like to think of myself as having a mininal carbon footprint and I'm a firm believer in protecting the environment but how do you prioritise between the environment and economic prosperity for a region which has battled hard to recover from the demise of heavy industry.

I recently spoke to a manufacturing business which is a major employer in the region but is seriously concerned that it may have to relocate overseas because of the stringent environmental pressures being exerted on it.

The company has targeted huge future growth and is fast becoming a major player in its sector but is being limited by the enforcement of green orders.

If the firm did relocate it would be a major blow to the North-East.

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Comments (4)

IAN wrote...

Because of a succession of Government failures, we no longer have a manufacturing industry. We have swapped engineers and welders etc, for monitoring officers and environmental inspectors.We have turned this envirocrap into a false "business" purely for revenue raising purposes, and has gone too far.Mention the magic "green" word, and acts can be rushed through parliament without questions raised.If the business you mention relocates overseas, good luck to them,you cannot really blame them at all.It may actually be beneficial in the long term if this company did actually move overseas, if it highlights how far over the top the enviromob have went in recent years.

Posted by: IAN  | October 3, 2007 11:18 AM

Floyd Hayes wrote...

A smart business should embrace green issues and making it part of their culture, processes and communications.

"But just how pressing is the need to protect the environment compared to other issues effecting our region"

WIthout a healthy, sustained environment there won't be any "other issues" to consider. Simple really.

Posted by: Floyd Hayes  | October 4, 2007 3:22 PM

IAN wrote...

To comment on Floyds thoughts,I agree that enviromental matters should be considered,but only up to a point.However,the fact remains that,several developed nations both in Europe and across the Atlantic do not operate by the same criteria.God only knows what,if any,environmental regulations are in force in China,Korea and India!!Its ridiculous that nations like ours are having to meet stringent enviro targets, yet others clearly couldn't give a damn.Aren't China building a coal fired power station every week to support their thriving economy??

I think if you conducted a survey amongst people in the North East, or the whole nation,about what concerns them most, disappearing jobs or disappearing icecaps,I know what the answer would be.

If some had there way, yes we would be the most environmentally compliant nation on the planet,but with no industry at all.No wonder so many of the Siemens/Fujitsu/Samsung/Dunlop and Atmels have abandond ship.

Posted by: IAN  | October 22, 2007 12:25 PM

Carol Hodgson wrote...

While I agree with Ian that it would be good to have a level playing field in which all nations embrace the Kyoto protocol with equal rigour, smart buisnesses recognise that carbon reduction measures can result in increased profitability as well as environmental benefits. A number of examples(case studies)showing this will be outlined at the forthcoming Energy and Environment Fair (January 2008) which focuses on assisting businesses to get to grips with carbon reduction, resource and waste management issues, the title of the event is "Carbon Down-Profit Up" more information can be found at www.emergyandenvironmentfair.co.uk

Like it or not the issue of climate change and measures to reduce carbon emissions even among low energy use businesses are here to stay. What we need to recognise is that rethinking the way we manage these issues can lead to a more efficient business.

Posted by: Carol Hodgson  | November 29, 2007 12:32 PM

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