Firms lead way to a greener future (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Hauliers TNT win eco award for third year

6:40am Thursday 7th October 2010 in Business By Chris Holland, Business Reporter

by Chris Holland Business Reporter Two Bradford firms are leading the drive to boost sustainable business as a new report claims the efforts of Yorkshire companies to improve their green credentials are at risk of faltering.

Express delivery firm TNT, based at Low Moor has been cited as one of the greenest businesses in the world, while Provident Financial is backing a new green business service for West Yorkshire.

But a new study from Lloyds TSB Commercial shows that, although the downturn has spurred some regional businesses to adopt green initiatives in order to cut costs, the focus on finances has increased the risks of ‘environmental inertia’.

It shows that only 36 per cent of regional firms have taken steps to analyse the environmental risks to their business, with more than half of those surveyed citing costs as the main reason, even though they agreed that being green would help boost business.

John Robson, regional director for Lloyds TSB Commercial, said: “It is clear businesses in the North recognise the value of improving their green credentials.

“Coming out of the recession, many firms seem focused on the savings to be gained from environmental improvements, but many are being held back because they fear the costs.”

TNT features in the 2010 Dow Jones Sustainability Index, which tracks the performance of companies taking an ethical and responsible approach to business. It has been recognised for the third year running.

TNT has pledged to achieve a 45 per cent improvement on its carbon emissions by 2020 compared to 2007 levels.

General manager Andy Laker said: “We regard this award as independent recognition of our fundamental belief that corporate responsible business is not a fad.”

Provident Financial is sponsoring a new scheme run by the Better Business Environment Forum, part of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, to encourage other local businesses to sign up to BBEF, which operates across West Yorkshire.

Rob Lawson, Provident’s corporate responsibility manager, said: “The company takes its corporate responsibilities seriously with an environmental policy that has been in place since 2000 and an environmental management system that minimises the effects of the business operations."