The Benefits of Genuine
National Certification
Today, virtually every business is aware of the critical need to contribute to the long-term health of both our local community and our environment. And, it sure seems that almost everyone is trying to jump on this runaway environmental bandwagon.
Not surprisingly, “Instant-Green” or “Easy-Green” certifications are popping up everywhere. Cities offer them, states offer them, the internet offers them, and even industry groups offer them. For a fee (and sometimes for free), seemingly any business can become “certified” almost overnight.
While the underlying commitment and efforts of these various groups may be applauded, their self-report, “voluntary compliance” process typically utilized does not generate the needed confidence. Just as professional sports requires independently-verified drug screening… and just as the IRS reserves the right to conduct random audits, most people understand that genuine credibility can only be achieved through independent verification.
While any “certification” is usually perceived as a great way to promote any business’ uniqueness, it is no longer enough just to claim to be “Green”.
Self-appointed Green boasting is on the same level as claiming to be better than the next business (who is making the same boast as well). But, if it’s possible for any business to become “Green” overnight by simply filling out a form and/or paying a fee, is there really any long-term value? Clearly, the answer is no!
It’s also interesting to note that credible Green companies are impacted as well. After all, how can customers tell the real Green companies from the Green pretenders?
To the average preoccupied customer, they all look alike… and there simply isn’t enough time to investigate the multitude of “certifications” that currently exist. As long as these harried customers “never find out”, the pretenders are safe. But what might happen if these customers ever found out that many such “certifications” are not independently verified?
This is where Greener Perspectives, LLC, as a Certified Green Consultant™ of the Green Business League™ can help. We provide the input and national credibility that only a third-party, independent audit can generate. Plus, our services are based upon “Zero-Cost Consulting” and routinely cost our clients either very little or nothing at all.
We all recognize that there is clearly a need for a national standard of “Green” that allows (and rewards) businesses of all types to participate and contribute meaningfully in the environmental effort.
While LEED has established itself as the leader in both construction and engineering efforts, The Green Business League™ has similarly established itself as the leader in the area of “Green Practices”.
GBL’s standardized approach, coupled with their network of over 300 Certified Green Consultants, allows (and encourages) businesses of all sizes, regardless of whether or not they own their own property, to meaningfully participate in environmental issues while becoming nationally recognized for their efforts.
Going further, it must be noted that becoming Green is a progressive rather than a static target. While a company may initially qualify for certification (perhaps at the Silver, 100-point level), the process encourages all certified firms to progress to higher and higher levels of certification over time.
Therefore, the initial certification is just a starting point rather than a singular achievement. With the ongoing help and assistance of your Greener Perspectives’ Consultant, ongoing energy savings and continuous Green improvement become the true long-term objectives.
www.GreenBusinessLeague.com