'Green revolution' outcome murky, still.

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: Editorial

Much has been written about how and when the economy will bounce back, but in one area of interest to many financial executives--the concept of "greening" the enterprise and the cost of implementing programs to make it happen--the jury still seems to be out, just as the jury is still out on the real value of certain greening initiatives.

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Though questions remain about the full extent of corporate commitment and financing resources available to fuel the green revolution--on both the private and public level--one thing appears certain: the march toward an increasingly green business environment continues, even if its pace has been slowed by economic and other factors. In many instances, businesses are not waiting for the inevitable government regulation, but rather, are taking actions they deem make good business sense.

It's now apparent that the concept of greening, of revising energy sources and usage and paying attention to climate change is an essential part of most good business strategies. The problem, oftentimes, is that the inroads made in green technology, management and operations aren't always easily quantifiable.

For example, the exact definition of a green job is looked at in the article herein on that subject. Perhaps that's due, in part, to the fact that initiatives that were promoted as environmentally aware programs just a short time ago are now so embedded in a company's strategies that they no longer earn specific distinction.

New sources and types of energy are necessary as we consider ways to wean our nation from costly--and perhaps in the not-too-distant future difficult or dangerous to get--conventional supplies. This impacts business and its cost of doing business and as such, is becoming not only a serious aspect of the discussion, but an integral part of the short- and long-term business plan. As a business community, and as...