Envirowise says Yorkshire firms may become more energy “thrifty”

Dec 22 2009 by Henryk Zientek, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE recession could leave a valuable legacy for businesses in Yorkshire – as more firms adopt a “thrifty” mindset and seek energy savings.

So says a report by environmental support group Envirowise.

The Envirowise Business Thrift Shift Report – which encompasses responses from more than 500 companies – reveals that 64% of respondents in Yorkshire have developed a more detailed knowledge of their spending and resource use as a result of the recession.

This includes everything from investment in raw materials, transport and energy to staffing, equipment and professional services.

Some 69% of respondents in the region said their business had become thriftier in its spending habits and more careful about using resources efficiently as a result of the recession.

And this “thrift shift” is set to continue with 78% of respondents expecting to be more careful about how they use their resources once recovery comes.

Elin Crebbin, Envirowise regional manager for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Yorkshire businesses have been facing some serious challenges as a result of the recession.

“However, it is also clear that for many companies this period of economic difficulty has stimulated a more resource-conscious mindset, galvanising environmental commitments that had perhaps been lower down the business agenda.

“We know from experience that resource efficiency goes hand-in-hand with profitability, so it is encouraging to see better management of raw materials, energy and water forming an important component of the business response to recession in the region.”