Business green credentials: worth anything?

[Leftie]

We tender quite a bit with the public sector and some now insist on seeing our environmental policy, which of course as a 2 man band I simply downloaded and did a quick find/replace.

I wondered if such things count for anything in the final decision? As our most used company car is low CO2, we could push that, togther with our recycling of waste etc, low waste heating (we used to have solar water heating at one point actually) and use of public transport.

Is it worth pushing in tender docs or putting on the web site??

[steviebee]

You'll rarely win or loose tenders on the basis of your Environmental Policy but it does make a difference in the scoring processes. It's also going to become increasingly important as new legislation comes into force over the coming years.

We're going through the process of acquiring ISO 14001 which is a costly excersize to enable you to put a logo on your stationery. The enviro-policy we have far out-weighs any requirement the ISO standard lays down yet that's what you're expected to have.

[edc]

It's only made a noted difference in about 2 public sector contracts we have tendered for.

[Leftie]

edc said:

It's only made a noted difference in about 2 public sector contracts we have tendered for.

I thought so, all other things being equal the green policy can tip it. I feel a bit of a fraud reporting stuff that we do anyway (last year we did 90% of our business travel by public transport because it is mostly travelling to London, and 90% of the rest in vehicles with CO2 emission sin the sub 120 categhory becuase our company car is a super efficient diesel: I don't mention the rest is done in the Lotus although that only has CO2 of 169). And of course that can change overnight if the next big contract we get is off the publuc transport system.

[wanty1974]

It depends what your industry is - if you're a printer or other business involved in potentially hazardous chemicals or virgin resource usage, the environmental weighting will be higher.

My old printing job involved a few tenders, particularly within the University sector where environmental standards were regarded as more important than management standards such as ISO 9001.

[chrisgr31]

Fortunately I don't run my own business, and we also don't get involved in all these ISO standards etc.

Being a cynic I tend to regard ISO Standards as another way for consultants to make money on telling you what you already know!

[windsorphil]

Hi Leftie,

My belief is that the environmental issue is going to continue to be an area of focus for those bidding for qualifying OJEU and other public spending tenders. I recently met with our local MP about this issue, and to discuss the policy direction. (Mrs Windsorphil is just about to launch a service for certifying individuals and small business as carbon neutral - this will help small business meet the enviromental qualification criteria and will be fully auditable). Of course we all know that the procurement process in some public sector customers is not that sophisticated - anything that helps then quickly tick a box (at low cost for the provider) is going to help.

Feel ffree to ask if you have specific questions.

Phil.

Edited by windsorphil on Wednesday 27th September 15:13

[muppetdave]

I think at the moment it's predominantly lip-service for the majority of Public Sector procurement officers, although I really do suspect dramatic change is only just around the corner and that weighting will definitely favour those who can at least tick the 14001 box (more difficult for smaller companies I appreciate). As you have some good examples of making a conscious effort to be more green you will have a greater advantage to those who remain completely oblivious to it! If you can give more examples you'll of course strengthen your case.

Good luck!