The majority of firms have yet to ‘go green’, with fewer than half having an environmental policy, a new survey has found.
Despite the recent focus on climate change and green initiatives, only 45% of employees say they work for a business with an environmental policy, according to the survey from the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
London businesses were found to be the least likely to have gone green, with only 42.3% of Londoners saying their firm has a policy in place; whereas the South West is the most likely region, with 50%.
TUC deputy general secretary Frances O'Grady said: “This TUC research highlights the importance of changing employer attitudes and taking 'greening' the workplace seriously. Small steps, like recycling paper or turning off lights, can make an enormous difference when taken by everyone.”
He also added that Union reps can help instil environmental policies in the workplace.
Small steps taken by staff include switching off computers and machinery at the end of the day, with 72% of respondents saying they are likely to do this, compared to only 24% who always print double-sided.
Encouragingly, despite the lack of formal policy, 73% of employees say their employer does encourage them to recycle paper.
The TUC is today holding a conference in London which will look at what the Climate Change Bill means for UK workplaces.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
