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Greening Trends Of U.S. Businesses Revealed In Study

November 1, 2006

Leading U.S. companies have begun to incorporate green practices into their strategic business planning and view it as an emerging and important component of profitable future growth, according to findings from a new study commissioned by Siemens Building Technologies and Siemens USA.

"This is the first time the leaders of corporate America have been polled on their opinions toward green and green building," said Bob Dixon, vice president of Global Energy Services and Solutions for Siemens Building Technologies. "It is important because we now know leaders view green facilities as a significant component of any overall green strategy."

Information gathered in the study, "Green Perspective from Corporate America," found that the majority of large U.S. corporations are ready to embrace "green" as a part of the foundation of their corporate philosophy. The study also indicates a "Green tipping point" in corporate America will be reached in early 2009, but could occur as soon as next year.

Key research findings include:

• Green practices and green building will emerge as a prominent corporate trend in the next 1 to 3 years.
• The majority of respondents believe their companies will be aligned with green industry practices within the next three years.
• Three in 10 respondents believe their company will emerge as a market leader in green practices.
• Corporate leaders do recognize the importance of green practices and building, but need to balance their business obligations to shareholders and first address issues of cost and profits.
• Forty percent consider green practices and green building to be of high importance to their organization.
• Almost 60 percent agree that green practices and green building would lower operating costs.
• Currently, 43 percent view green practices as part of their company's growth strategy.
• Escalating energy costs are key drivers of interest in green practices and green building for three-quarters of the survey's respondents.

Siemens USA: http://www.usa.siemens.com