Wave Goodbye to Green Premiums in 2009 says Carbon Consultancy
In its predictions for 2009 the Carbon Consultancy highlights six forecasts for the year including the loss of premiums for green services and products.
“Every cloud we are told has a silver lining”, the company says. “In 2009 the silver lining of the current economic climate with its attendant human cost, is likely to be increased corporate and individual engagement with sustainability and carbon reduction, even if it is driven by cost control/efficiency as opposed to the principles of stewardship and shared consequences.”
In its report the following predictions are highlighted:
Carbon Neutrality Will Fade
“Described by some as “the Emperor’s new clothes”, carbon neutrality has become the must have claim for many companies, although it is distinctly possible that by 2010 this phrase will only be used in support of real carbon neutrality”
Regulation Will Increase
“In 2009 the window of opportunity for companies who wish to show leadership in voluntary activity will begin to close as national targets and reduction mechanics are considered and implemented by governments.”
Goodbye to Green Premiums
“The idea that consumers will pay a premium for “green” products and services was always reliant upon a favourable economic climate and ignored the increasing evidence that consumers were looking for companies to deliver goods and services whilst “taking care of the environment”
More Measurement & Disclosure
“The increased use of measurement will increasingly focus not just on quantity of emissions and resource use, but also the input and output costs associated with them, bringing sustainability data into mainstream management information systems as opposed to a colourful add on.”
No Cost/Low Cost Virtues
“The relationship between waste and cost has been overlooked in boom years, leaving the lights on, paper waste and inefficient travel habits have all been tolerated, but will and are becoming a focus of attention that will deliver tangible results in more sustainable business operations through the key no cost/low cost driver of behavioural change”
Durability vs Throwaway
“Durable, reusable and sustainable will definitely recover a place in corporate and consumer purchasing over the next 12 months. Companies identifying this, acting upon it both within their companies and supply/distribution chains and communicating it effectively will do well”
Says the Carbon Consultancy’s Hugo Kimber: “The economists suggest economic recovery by early 2010. Whether they are right or wrong, the issue for 2009 is how much we acquire a new and improved relationship with sustainability that we carry into the next boom. So this year may be pivotal in the climate change and wider sustainability challenges that we need to address over the next two decades.”
“2009 is the year that we will really start counting the financial cost of carbon emissions and our unsustainable consumption of finite resources, which should ultimately be good for company profits and the planet.”
Valere Tjolle
Valere
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent