In an age when there are pressing concerns over the climate change, struggles in the global economy; and energy tariffs going through the roof, there needs to be a conscious effort by businesses to adapt. It is all too easy to let corporate social responsibilities (CSR) filter down through the list of priorities, as generally speaking CSRs are not immediate contributors to the income of industries and their suppliers. It is high time that respective bodies and industries with responsibility to meeting environmental targets realise that the strength of the pros far outweighs the cons. For instance, any company conscious of being energy efficient benefits from
- Improved reputation- through awards and charitable efforts
- Enhanced community perceptions
- Meeting regulatory requirements
- Better relationship with local authorities
- Longer term savings, reducing wastage & impact on carbon footprint
- Managing risks more effectively
- Standing out from competition
- Strengthening network of connections i.e. suppliers, customers
- Winning new business!
The focus of the blame on a lack of CSR’s and irresponsible energy practices can often lye with the end user i.e. the builder or engineer by not following recommended regulations to the book. Ultimately, with the plight of the construction industry as a whole, and in these times of uncertainty, the end user (tradesperson) has to complete projects on time to meet targets. This often means forsaking imperative CSR’s that need to be focused on from the outset and initial stages of any building or engineering project. This responsibility is placed on companies such as Stewart & Harris, reputable Structural and Civil Engineers operating in the Midlands area of the UK.
CSRs have always been high on the agenda for this company, and their work has been recognised in areas such as Birmingham, Coventry and Leicester. The job of civil engineers is to follow a project through from initial planning stages to the final build; so utilising the most energy efficient building firms and monitoring them through this process is top of the agenda! By setting the standard, Stewart & Harris are hoping within the next few years to consult and educate a wider community of suppliers and tradespeople to shift away from willy-nilly practices into structured plans which exceed the targets outlined by EU and government regulations, and the construction industry. Only time will tell if other companies decide to chase these flag bearers.