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Question of the Week: How green should accountants be?

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14th Mar 2007
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Climate change and green issues have become ubiquitous this week - from Channel 4's debunking documentary on Sunday evening to Gordon Brown and David Cameron slugging it out over who can offer the most credible policies to reduce carbon emissions.

What role do finance managers and accountants play in all this? For starters, the Conservatives have identified Air Passenger Duty as a chink in Gordon Brown's green shield, but like the Chancellor, the opposition is quite willing to use tax policies to influence social behaviour. As we head towards a green-tinged Budget week, accountants are in a good position to assess the practicality of any proposed tax changes - and perhaps more pertinently, to look at the financial benefits of operating their businesses in an environmentally responsible manner.

We've already had correspondence from several members this week. In response to an editorial comment about the growing realisation among businesses that whether you agree with the green lobby or not, environmental credentials count, one member replied: "I'm sorry to see that AccountingWEB has fallen for the climate change scam. The 'sceptics' to which you refer include many eminent scientists and meteorologists who, using valid data, are prepared to stand up against the climate change lobby which includes many 'scientists' unworthy of the name.

"I have completed your survey accordingly and would ask that you allow room for the alternative view which is just as valid but nothing like as well-funded."

Add your comments to this week's environmental debate on AccountingWEB, and while you're at it, take a few moments to participate in our environmental survey.

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Replies (7)

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By forgeron
14th Mar 2007 16:07

Great printing tip!
For any accountants who DO want to be greener (of which I am one), I would thoroughly recommend the printing software offered by Software Partners (www.software-partners.co.uk). It's one of the best software packages I've ever bought. I've had it for years now.

It's not expensive and is incredibly easy to use. It enables you to print multiple pages to a page, amongst many other features (like letterhead templates). I use it to print 4 tax return pages to a page, as the paper copy is hardly ever needed, the original being on the computer. You can also delete that last e-mail page that has nothing on but a disclaimer etc. Brilliant, and I have reduced my paper consumption considerably.

They also do a PDF package, which is great, and I have recently taken their anti-virus/firewall package, which I find the best I've used.

I don't work for them (!), or even know them, but I think it's good to share and praise products that we've found useful.

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By listerramjet
14th Mar 2007 16:53

go the whole hog!
if they are hardly ever used at all then why print them off at all?

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By AnonymousUser
15th Mar 2007 17:23

energy efficient tomatoes.
think again!

think of all those buildings, offices, factories, houses built and being built. with all those high ceilings. twice the heat being used to heat the ceilings where nobody is.

think of the space saved and materials - made with resourced energy - if all ceilings were 8' high and the space and materials wasted.

think of the savings if another floor filled the excess space.

think of the extra ground saved from unecessary building to be able to grow more energy efficient tomatoes.

personal fulfilment as well.

incentive - neighbourhood tomato growers perpetual cup.

think about it !

tomato ted.

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Richard Murphy
By Richard Murphy
14th Mar 2007 17:38

I'll endorse the recommednation of FinePrint
And PDF factory

Both realy do help save money, when you really feel you have to print

And help archiving effectively when you don't

You'll get a payback in months, at most

Richard Murphy

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By forgeron
15th Mar 2007 11:30

Interesting point!
Yes, Alastair, an interesting point. I guess it's the part of me that worries that anything on a computer is vulnerable and if it's on paper somewhere it will survive, that's all!

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By AnonymousUser
15th Mar 2007 12:26

retired
the equation goes further than accepted.

spring is nearly here and all good people willbe planning the next 12 months larder. conside the humble tomatoe. plant them in the near future.

think of the environmental cost of the fertiliser - compare with the compast heap of last years garden andkitchen waste.

think of the environmental cost of buying the plants as opposed to growing from seed - commercial greenhouses use a phenomenal amount of heat.

think of the environmental cost of the storage, packaging materials and transportation from all parts of the world to the supermarket and thence to your kitchen table.

think of all those who are involved in the above and the environmental cost of the tomatoes they eat.

add it up

equate nationally.

think about it - quite phenomenal.

econonists go home!

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By listerramjet
15th Mar 2007 14:08

Hi Andrew
sure you are not alone in this, but what would you do if you sufferred a fire and your paper records were lost?

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