Green Zone

GREEN Z NE While investing in green technology is good for the planet, there is serious money to be made in these emerging technologies. Let's take a look at the economic impact of businesses and the government going green. SEEMS LIKE EVERYBODY'S DOING IT 86% Sustainability is now a permanent part of 70% Percentage of large companies that have at least 111111 one person focused full time on of corporate agendas. sustainability IE GOVERNMENT Governments at all levels are getting in on the trend as well. Let's look at how the federal government has invested in green technology and programs. 10B Improved public safety and other government services -which can include renovation or repair of public schools to comply with a green building rating system $9.75 billion Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income family $5 billion homes Converting federal buildings to high-performance green buildings $4.5 billion Energy efficiency projects and modernization of facilities $3.6 billion Energy efficiency & conservation block grants to individual states $3.2 billion State Energy Program $3.1 billion Energy retrofits of existing affordable housing $2.25 billion JOBS Green goods and services accounted for 2.6 percent of total U.S. employment in 2011. Despite the recession in 2009, employment in most environmentally friendly sectors has increased recently. 2011 507,168 600,000 2010 492,985 487,709 385,777 381,981 355,386 335,417 300,000- 330,650 242,137 238,755 223,079 205,567 Manufacturing Construction Administrative Transportation Trade Professional, scientific & waste & warehousing & technical services Employment services Y PRODUCTS Sales of environmentally friendly products in the U.S. exceeded $40 billion last year. In a survey of energy efficient business leaders, $29.2 billion said their sales 42% have increased. $10 billion $2 billion $640 million Organic Energy-efficient Light bulbs Green cleaning products Hybrid, electric and clean-diesel vehicles food A THE EXTRA MILE Which companies are standing out in their green efforts? IBM In 2012 it received the European Union Code of Conduct for Data Centers Award, Volkswagen cars usually lead lists of the most eco-friendly vehicles thanks to the company's efficient, eco-conscious cars, fueled by TDI clean diesel gas. recognition for its long-term environmental efforts. IBM was CODE OF one of the very first environmentally friendly companies. Not only does Sony focus on being energy efficient, more than 20,000 employees have gathered food for the hungry, built homes for people who couldn't afford them and cleaned polluted Samsung is dedicated to the greening of its management, products, processes, workplace and communities. SONY SAMSUNG Leaders also put a take-back and recycle program into place. water resources. BESTACCOUNTINGDEGREES.NET SOURCES http://www.environmentalleader.com • http://www.nsf.gov • http://construction.com http://www.bls.gov • http://www.huffingtonpost.com • http://www.earthshare.org