Posted: February 5, 2010

The phrase "to sustain" or the term "sustainability" has a number of definitions. In a broad sense, it means the capacity to endure, which is seen in nature every day.

However, a more widely accepted definition for business means "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

You may ask, "How does sustainability affect me?" From a business perspective the ability to operate in an efficient and sustainable manner will often mean the difference between success and failure. A sustainability program adopted by a business/building owner or manager should reduce expenses, lessen impact on the environment, curb pollution, enhance the use of renewable resources and the quality of employees' work environment.

Since the development and launch of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design voluntary program by the U.S. Green Building Council in 1998, many companies have adopted it as a sustainable operating process for both buildings and businesses. LEED was originally developed to encourage building design and construction practices to decrease energy consumption, reduce the impact of buildings on the environment, and provide employees with a healthy and productive workplace. By design, the LEED program adopted sustainability practices as its foundation and immediately expanded the program to include existing buildings.

So, "What is my first step in launching a sustainability program?" Developing and launching a sustainability program is not as difficult as one may think. Companies across the country are finding new ways to make sustainability programs or green initiatives part of their business operation. For example: Wal-Mart has asked its employee base to create Personal Sustainability Projects, or PSPs, thus helping them connect personal and corporate missions that make a difference in their own health, job efficiency and the success of the business. These PSPs - which might range from picking up litter and switching out inefficient light bulbs to smoking cessation and weight loss - can help motivate and energize employees.

Other companies are taking different routes and enlisting the help of volunteer "energy captains" asking them to be the eyes and ears on the ground to look for more ways to conserve energy and to green their workplace. Much of this taps into the employees' natural desire to be part of a business operation and to be empowered by their employers. In both cases acceptance by management and training of the employees is an essential first step for a successful sustainability program.

Note: The major area where immediate savings are captured exists in the energy consumption in a building or business. Often the savings alone in energy conservation measures adopted by a business can offset or completely cover the expenses of launching sustainable programs.

Therefore the need for sustainable programs in building and business operations that are efficient, employee-centric and cost-conscious is becoming a way of doing business in the current economy. What goes unnoticed in many cases is the ease in launching a sustainability program, the low-cost approaches that are available and the savings that become immediately available with these programs. Thus the sustainability program can be self-sustaining or at worst have a short ROI for budgeted investments. To achieve sustainability in any business, companies will need to have a plan and to educate, empower and encourage their employees to launch sustainability programs.

Guy J. "Jeff" Hall LEED AP is the owner of Sustainable Building Solutions, a professional consulting firm located in Virginia Beach. He can be reached by calling 287-2876 or e-mail jhall@sustainva.com.