Reports Support ‘Green’ Business

The dialogue between environmental groups and business people took a turn for the better last week. To an audience at headquarters of the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce, researchers presented evidence that business can gain from environmentally progressive management practices.

Government regulators also can get better environmental results, the researchers said, by creating an incentives-based alternative to the traditional approach that threatens businesses with mandates, fines and lawsuits.

These recommendations will not change overnight the tension that has polarized and damaged the Pacific Northwest. After 30 years of environmental regulation and litigation, combat has become ingrained in our political culture and generates plenty of work for lawyers and activists on all sides. People have founded careers and organizations on this status quo.

On the other hand, it’s not working very well. Researchers from the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University said at last week’s Spokane seminar that it will not be possible for the economy to keep growing - in the traditional way - without degrading the environment. However, they added, it is not necessary to choose between growth and environmental concerns. That choice is a false one because both parties to this conflict can change.

Businesses can become stronger - reducing costs, boosting profits, enhancing employee morale and productivity and burnishing their market reputation - when they embrace sustainable management practices.

Government agencies can win greater, voluntary progress for the environment if they create an alternative to regulatory threats - a system that makes business a willing participant by offering it goals, flexibility, incentives and information about new methods.

So said the researchers, who backed up the findings with testimonials.

For example, Jim Wavada from the state Department of Ecology said pilot projects such as one at the Spokane Valley mall show the construction industry can save money and enhance buildings with “green” methods and designs. Less construction waste cuts landfilling costs. Building occupants love the use of natural lighting.

Dale Gies, a Moses Lake farmer, explained that minimum tillage, crop rotation, set-asides for wildlife habitat and use of narrower-spectrum pesticides reduce his costs and boost his profits.

The researchers presented several reports laced with anecdotes and statistics, including a claim that the Netherlands got better results when it added an incentives-based system as an alternative to its old, U.S.-style command-and-control regulations.

After so many years of conflict, and with economic duress limiting their ability to invest in new methods, area business people may feel understandably skeptical. But, to seek greater efficiency is hardly new. Activists are welcome to think of this as a call for “green” business. Green also happens to be the color of money.