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Strong case for green services
Friday October 16th 2009. Posted: 10:17
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Public service bosses can't afford to overlook the environment
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Creating public services that protect the environment for new generations is even more critical during the recession.
That’s the warning for the heads of public sector organisations from David Bond, public sector sustainability lead for BT Global Services, who says they can’t afford to ignore the future. He offers four reasons to support his view. In the latest monthly newsletter for Scottish members of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives & Senior Managers (Solace), David writes: “The first is reputation. In fact, our surveys show that customers who believe we take our responsibility to society seriously are 49 per cent more likely to be ‘very’ or ‘extremely satisfied’ with BT services. “In the public sector context, I believe this translates into credibility and a ‘licence to operate’.” Efficiency savings He adds: “Government has a key role in being the exemplar for the policies and practices that it wants to embed across the country. If government cannot get its own house in order - how can it offer effective leadership and achieve a low-carbon economy?” He says reduction of operating costs through efficient use of technology; a successful recruitment and retention track record through flexible working; and avoiding tough financial penalties by meeting environmental regulation support a resourceful approach. “In the case of BT, we have succeeded in reducing our UK carbon emissions by almost 60 per cent in a ten-year period, disposed of 4,000 buildings and saved over £400m since 2005 through energy, waste and business travel programmes. “In fact, the widespread use of teleconferencing eliminates the need for almost 900,000 face-to-face meetings a year.” “Sustainability can therefore be directly linked to the efficiency of operations and an enabler of the ‘more for less’ challenge facing the public sector.”
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Last updated:
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