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Finance Professionals Place Green Issues at Top of their Agendas

9th Jul 2008
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The findings of a survey by document management software company, Version One (www.versionone.co.uk), has revealed that a surprising 94% of senior finance professionals remain concerned about the negative impact their company is having on the environment with 45% of these stating that they are VERY concerned. Version One carried out the research with 125 senior finance professionals (finance directors and managers) across a range of UK public and private sector organisations.

Version One’s survey reveals that just 3% of respondents are NOT concerned about their organisations’ environmental impact. One of these respondents, a financial director from a large construction company, admitted “We have more important priorities than the environment”. The remaining 3% of survey respondents stated that they didn’t know whether to be concerned about their companies’ environmental impact or not.

Despite the high level of environmental concern amongst finance professionals, only 49% believe their organisations are sufficiently environmental friendly with just 19% of these believing that their organisations are VERY environmentally friendly. 50% conceded that their companies were NOT adequately environmentally-friendly with the remaining 2 respondents (1%) admitting that they were unsure about their companies’ environmental credentials.

Lynne Munns, General Manager of Version One, says, “This research highlights that despite the constant media spotlight on green issues having the potential to desensitise finance professionals, they remain concerned about environmental issues and in particular their organisations’ impact on the environment. Clearly, those surveyed recognise the financial benefits of going green and perhaps more importantly the potential financial penalties of ignoring this all-important issue.”

87% of those surveyed stated that they have an interest in implementing document management technology in some part due to its environmental benefits, which Munns is not surprised by, “Electronic document management makes smart business sense whilst also reducing both paper consumption and CO2 emissions. Organisations using document management are considerably cutting costs whilst improving both cash flow and business efficiency.”

Most of the 125 respondents believe more needs to be done to persuade UK companies to reduce their negative impact on the environment, however there are mixed ideas about the type of measures required. Interestingly, 27% of those surveyed favour a ‘green education’ programme over financial incentives (24%). 15% suggest legislation combined with financial incentives and a green education programme would encourage businesses to become more eco-friendly with 13% suggesting that financial incentives combined with a green education programme is the answer. Just 8% feel that legislation alone is the best option with 5% suggesting businesses will be persuaded by legislation combined with a green education programme. The remaining respondents recommended legislation with financial initiatives or did not know how to make business more environmentally-friendly. A couple suggested alternative measures with one respondent stating that the government should introduce penalties for non-green conformance. Another suggested that every company needs to have an individual policy, specific to the nature of its business

Munns adds, “There appears to be no single, magic solution to tackling environmental issues but all modern companies are contributing to the world’s carbon emissions in some form or other and so need to take responsibility for their own actions. If they do not voluntarily take action, it will be left to the Government to force businesses into submission.”

ENDS

About Version One www.versionone.co.uk

Version One Ltd is the author of electronic document management and imaging software. This software enables the automated electronic storage, retrieval, management, enhancement and delivery of business documents such as invoices, purchase orders and statements. This 'paperless office' technology is seamlessly integrated into all major ERP and accounting systems. With a typical ROI of less than six months, Version One's solutions are enabling thousands of organisations to save dramatic amounts of time and money whilst helping to support their green agendas.

Contact:
Liz Ebbrell, Version One
[email protected]
+44 (0)1625 856505 or 07917 634 705

Ben Carey, Version One
[email protected]
+44 (0)1625 856505

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