Today the Center for Small Business and the Environment (CSBE) launched a new initiative aimed at the 111th Congress and the Obama Administration, reminding them that the best way to revive the ailing U.S. economy is to think green – green entrepreneurism that is.
Surprisingly a new Deloitte report, finds that fewer than one third of British entrepreneurs are taking steps to go green. I know our readers aren’t among them, but many of the same issues face all entrepreneurs.
The survey of British entrepreneurs finds that less than a third (29%) are currently undertaking any carbon reduction initiatives - despite more than a quarter of those surveyed conceding that addressing environmental challenges now will present new opportunities to exploit new products and services.
The problem?
Many entrepreneurs see pursuing sustainability programs as cost prohibitive. While recycling and energy efficiency are green initiatives entrepreneurs are willing to take on, the larger environmental initiatives including reducing emissions and conserving water are considered too complex.
The report also mentions that few entrepreneurs impose green requirements on suppliers or seek out eco friendly vendors. This is perhaps understandable if social responsibility and/or eco friendliness is not part of the company’s mission statement.
But, with consumer demand for green products increasing and customers actively seeking out eco friendly companies from which to buy, is this a mistake? I think so.

Awhile back I wrote a post about The Forbes Boost Your Business contest open to all entrepreneurs and offering $100,000 in prize money and, of course, lots of publicity. Last year the winner was Recycline, Inc, a manufacturer of eco friendly toothbrushes, razors and the like.
This year I predicted, with the high level of interest in green goods, ecopreneurs again had a great opportunity to take the prize. Even so I was a bit surprised to receive this e-mail from Tony Kvale at Kvalegames.
…our eco-friendly board game company’s (has advanced) in the annual Forbes contest to help young companies.
Check out this video from Harvard Business.

John Elkington, Founder and Chief Entrepreneur, SustainAbility, on how social entrepreneurs are generating impressive results - and capturing the imaginations of businesspeople and public policy makers.
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