by Julie Urlaub, Founder and Managing Partner of Taiga Company
With global eco awareness expanding on climate issues, it is not a surprise to many that the fastest growth in CO2 levels has occurred in the last 10 years. Studies indicate that electricity generation and consumption is the largest contributor and is increasing faster than any other energy sector. However, efforts to manage electricity show the slowest decline in emissions progress.
According to this publication by the International Energy Agency:
• 82% of energy production comes from fossil fuels
• 83% of the worlds emissions come from energy production
• 94% of energy production emissions are CO2
With climate change legislation and policy discussions on-going, the business world is actively evaluating the impacts to industries as a whole and to individual company performance. As a result, companies across the country and around the globe are developing business sustainability strategies to reduce their ecological footprint as part of internal environmental policies or a corporate sustainability plan. With legislative penalties coming, many efforts are now driven by economic considerations as much as environmental concerns.
In a recent post, Energy Efficiency: Use Less = More Profits, we discussed how energy efficiency can be a quick hit for many businesses to reduce emissions and manage cost. In addition to the benefits, there are incentives for US companies and individuals to take specific action.
• Corporate Deductions
• Industry Recruitment/Support
• Production Incentives
• Property Tax Exemptions
• Property Tax Financing Authorization
• Sales Tax Exemptions
• State Loan Programs
• Utility Loan Programs
• Utility Rebate Programs
For both individuals and businesses seeking to integrate sustainability into their daily lives and operations, energy management is a sustainability concept that can add value. As an energy consultant, we advise our clients to focus on solutions that have immediate and long term impacts.
By raising general eco awareness, individual and business consumers can make decisions that are right for them. At Taiga Company, our business sustainability programs help clients understand the nature of their consumption and identify mitigation strategies to include in an overall sustainability plan.
