The report is a step-by-step guide helping companies evaluate their operations, calculate their carbon footprint and take action. It covers strategies for reducing or eliminating consumption of non-renewable resources like energy, paper and plastic, ideas for incorporating recycling programs, and suggests ways to offset the amount of carbon dioxide the company releases into the atmosphere through its activities.
"We've put a lot of time and effort into figuring some of this out for ourselves, so it just makes sense to package what we've learned to give other companies a head start," said Jon Provisor, Guidance CTO and head of Guidance Green. "Going green begins with a commitment from the organization itself and the individuals working there. It requires some changes in everyday habits and business practices, but it's possible to make a difference. We do it because we're committed to the environment, but that's not the only benefit - companies can save a lot of money by operating more efficiently."
Whether motivated by a commitment to the environment or to the company's bottom line, more and more organizations are seeking cleaner ways of conducting business. Gartner recently identified "green IT" as one of the top 10 strategic technologies for 2008, and KPMG recently identified greentech/cleantech as the sector that would receive the most venture capital over the next two years.
Guidance is a specialized technology advisor that envisions, builds and supports web technology solutions that help businesses thrive online. In March 2007, Guidance employees officially declared that the environment matters to them, as a business and as individuals, and they signed a declaration to set in motion actions that will help Guidance go green. To read the declaration, click here.
The company established a committee - Guidance Green - that helped Guidance achieve its goal of becoming carbon-neutral. For 2007, Guidance's purchase of renewable energy credits offset 100 percent of the carbon emissions associated with its business activities.
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About Guidance
Since 1993, Guidance (www.guidance.com) has helped companies seize opportunities and solve problems through the innovative and practical use of technology. Guidance designs, builds and maintains eCommerce websites for retailers that are pure-play online or multi-channel – creating captivating experiences so consumers will buy more, come back often and value greater engagement with the retailer. Guidance's systems facilitate $500 million in online sales every year. Members of the Guidance team are seasoned professionals, passionately committed to providing technical leadership and powering ingenuity. Key clients include Foot Locker, GEARYS Beverly Hills, Relax the Back, Salvation Army, and many others. Partners include: Microsoft, AspDotNetStorefront, Mediachase and Telligent. Guidance is based in Marina del Rey, Calif.