Recession leaves legacy of resource efficiency as East of England businesses undergo major ‘thrift shift’
Submitted on January 22, 2010
The recession could leave a legacy of improved resource efficiency in the East of England as businesses adopt an increasingly ‘thrifty’ mindset - that’s according to a new report published by sustainability experts Envirowise.
The Envirowise Business Thrift Shift Report, which encompasses responses from more than 500 UK companies, reveals that 83% of respondents in the East of England have developed a more detailed knowledge of their spending and resource use as a result of the recession. This includes everything from investment in raw materials, transport and energy, staffing, equipment and professional services.
Reduction of spend on raw materials and consumables was the biggest area of cut back for the region’s companies (63%), with a large number also minimising their water, energy and transport use. And this ‘thrift shift’ is set to continue, with 87% of respondents expecting to be more careful about how they use their resources once recovery comes.
Simon Best, Envirowise Regional Manager for East of England, said: “Businesses in the East of England have been facing some serious challenges as a result of the recession and this is perhaps reflected in the number of survey respondents reducing staff costs during this period (41%). However, it is also clear that for many companies this period of economic difficulty has stimulated a more resource-conscious mindset, galvanising environmental commitments that had perhaps been lower down the business agenda.
“Such an approach does not only lead to financial savings; it can also equip businesses to face increasing levels of environmental legislation and provides an important competitive advantage as customers become more environmentally conscious. These companies are not only more likely to survive the recession in the short-term, but are also better placed to thrive when the economy begins to recover.”
Nationally, almost three-quarters of the 500 businesses surveyed (73%) had developed a more detailed knowledge of their spending and resource use as a result of the recession. The Envirowise Business Thrift Shift Report is available at ww.envirowise.gov.uk/thriftshift2009.
Businesses can access free guidance and practical advice on resource efficiency by visiting www.envirowise.gov.uk or calling the Envirowise advice line on 0800 585794.
About the Envirowise Business Thrift Shift Report:
This report presents the findings of Envirowise research aimed at understanding the extent to which business attitudes to resource efficiency have altered as a result of the economic climate, as well as identifying areas where lasting - and more welcome - changes have been made.
Led by continental Research, the business omnibus survey was conducted during September 2009. Participants included Managing Directors and Finance Directors from companies across England, Scotland and Wales, with more than 300 small businesses (with a turnover of £50k to £1 million) and 200 medium to large businesses (with a turnover of more than £1 million) being surveyed. The research also encompassed a wide variety of sectors and industries including wholesale, hotel and catering, business services, retail, manufacturing, construction, transport, agriculture and mining.
In addition, Envirowise has spoken to a wide range of businesses and industry commentators to seek individual opinions on the Envirowise Business Thrift Shift - many of which have been included in the report, which is available to download at www.envirowise.gov.uk/thriftshift.
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