Minister urges small businesses to think about the environment
November 9, 2007
A Government minister has said that it is vital that all small businesses in Ireland focus on corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices.
Speaking at the 10th CEB National Enterprise Awards held at Dublin Castle, Minister for Innovation Policy Michael Ahern said that it was of paramount importance that small businesses assessed the environmental impact of their actions.
He said: "Corporate social responsibility is a challenge to us all to think beyond our routine confines and to look afresh at how our business activity impacts on our world.
"It compels us to question our business practices and to explore whether we can do things better and whether we can make more of our resources - human, environmental and material.
"It is not a philanthropic pursuit but rather a sound means of driving a business forward and sustaining its output and potential, largely through innovation."
Mr Ahern added that businesses that focused on green and socially responsible areas distinguish themselves from their competitors and "enhance customer and employee loyalties with direct impacts on the bottom line".
Recently, a new green business park opened near Cork. The Harbour Point site was designed to help firms operating there to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
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