Why would small and medium size businesses want to measure greenhouse gasses?

1. It can save you money

NRG Seattle saved hundreds of dollars in purchasing cost in just two years by removing plastic bag liners from all recycling and trash bins. Washington State Convention and Trade Center installed more than 6,000 energy efficient lighting fixtures to have an estimated savings of $120,000 annually with a one-year payback. Michoacan Mexican Restaurant replaced three old, inefficient toilets with FREE low-flow toilets from Seattle Public Utilities and upgraded faucet aerators and saved 25,000 gallons of water annually and thousands of dollars.

2. It goes beyond weather

Climate shapes everything — ecosystems, crops, water, forests, fisheries, economy, lifestyles, health — so even small changes can have big impacts. A few degrees in temperature may not feel like much, but it can make the difference between rain and snow, early snowmelt or late, flowing summer streams or dry creek beds. Our state is vulnerable to a warming climate, especially our snow-fed water supplies and nearly 40 communities along our 2,300 miles of shoreline that are threatened by rising sea levels.

3. Its voluntary for small and medium size businesses…for now

In 2010, the Legislature and Governor Gregoire sought to align Washington's GHG reporting requirements with EPA rules. Larger facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons CO2e or more each year, as well as all facilities in certain source categories are required to report to Ecology.

4. It makes current employees happier and healthier

Employees want to work for an organization that thinks about the community, the environment and their bottom line. When staff are encouraged to participate in a corporate strategy such as using a CO2 footprint, it plays a key role in motivating innovation and long-term viability. It can open the doors to ideas that are proven to create a more productive work environment. Some of these ideas include telecomuniting, using safer cleaning supplies, updating lighting and servicing your HVAC system.

5. It brings you more business

Using a credible tool such as the Seattle Climate Partnership (SCP) calculator can help businesses recognize changes that they have made over the year. Through the partnership and other media outlets ECOSS & SCP can recognize your organization. Research has shown that more and more consumers are thinking about where and how products are made and are more likely to buy from an environmentally responsible business.

6. It attracts the best and the brightest

In a survey, commissioned by National Geographic magazine in February, 2008, more than 80 percent of U.S. workers polled said they believe it is important to work for a company or organization that makes the environment a top priority. Encouraging staff to be involved in your businesses sustainability strategy can be an outlet for staff’s personal interests, help raise moral, improve loyalty and help attract and retain the best and brightest talent, who are attracted to companies with an authentic green commitment.