Attitudes and patterns of Green Building among top U.S. companies revealed for the first time
Is American corporate profitability tied to the proactive use of Green ideas and Green Building principles? Yes, according to findings from a new study, “Green Perspective from Corporate America,” commissioned by Siemens Building Technologies and Siemens USA. Among its findings, the study revealed that leading U.S. companies have begun to incorporate “Green” practices into their strategic business planning and view it as an emerging and important component of profitable future growth.
“This is the first time the leaders of corporate America have been polled on their opinions toward Green and Green building,” said Bob Dixon, Vice President of Global Energy Services and Solutions for Siemens Building Technologies. “It is important because we now know leaders view green facilities as a significant component of any overall green strategy,” he added.
Information gathered in Green Perspective from Corporate America revealed that the majority of large U.S. corporations are ready to embrace “Green” as a part of the foundation of their corporate philosophy. The study also indicates a “Green tipping point” in corporate America will be reached in early 2009, but could occur as soon as next year (2007).
Key research findings include:
• Green and Green Building will emerge as a prominent corporate trend in the next 1-3 years.
• The majority of respondents believe their companies will be aligned with “Green” industry practices within the next 3 years
• 3 in10 respondents believe their company will emerge as a market leader in “Green”
• Corporate leaders do recognize the importance of Green and Green Building, but need to balance their business obligations to shareholders and first address issues of cost and profits.
• 40% consider Green and Green Building to be of high importance to their organization
• Almost 60% agree that Green and Green Building would lower operating costs
• Currently, 43% view Green as part of their company’s growth strategy
• Escalating energy costs are key drivers of interest in Green and Green Building for three-quarters of the survey’s respondents.
Siemens contracted the study from McGraw Hill Construction to achieve a better understanding of current attitudes and trends among the private sector toward Green and Green Buildings. Participants were asked to rate their organization in five stages of Green development, Stage 5 being “The company approaches business as a holistic, restorative way” decreasing to Stage 1 representing “Green is not part of the company mission.“
