Small Business Owners on Environment: First Priority Is Saving Money, Not Mother Earth
- PNC Bank's 'Green Small Business Survey' Finds Most Owners Want New President to Support Expanded Drilling and Incentives for Going Green -
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Saving money is at the root of environmental efforts among the nation's small and mid-sized business owners, according to new survey findings by PNC Bank, a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). These owners also want the new U.S. president to support both oil drilling in restricted areas and increased incentives to reduce energy use.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081030/NETH028 )
PNC, ranked among the nation's most environmentally responsible companies with more certified green buildings (55) than any other company on earth, conducted its first "Green Small Business Survey" to get insights from small and mid-sized business owners about the environment, its impact on their decisions and other views. With the presidential election set for Nov. 4, PNC's survey found that many small and mid-sized businesses want the new president to 'do something' about energy and environmental policies:
-- Drill, Baby, Drill: Asked for the top energy policy action they would
recommend to the new president, one-third (36 percent) support oil
drilling in the Arctic National Refuge and other restricted areas. The
next choice, among 23 percent, is increased spending and incentives for
the development of alternative energy sources. Another 15 percent would
like to see more emphasis placed on incentives and requirements for
energy conservation and an equal number would also advise greater use
of nuclear power.
-- Pay More to Use Less: The top environmental policy recommendation is to
increase incentives for businesses to use less energy, chosen by 34
percent. One-quarter (26 percent) would support a mandate on increased
fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks. Meanwhile, only 11
percent want the U.S. to ratify an international agreement that
mandates reductions in carbon emissions while 7 percent would implement
more stringent environmental protections.
"The biggest concern for most small and mid-sized business owners is cash flow," said Todd Barnhart, senior vice president, business banking, PNC. "These findings reveal that when it comes to the environment, owners think first about their bottom line. Many are missing the point that environmental sensitivity also makes good business sense."
Barnhart added that PNC's environmental leadership has resulted in innovative products and services. For consumers, this includes free online banking and a discount loan rate to buy new hybrid cars. For small businesses, a discount loan rate is available to finance energy-efficient improvements, e.g., water and light fixtures, Energy Star appliances, that can improve efficiency and reduce operating expenses.
Green vs. Greenbacks: Business Decisions
Being environmentally friendly isn't all about protecting Mother Earth. In fact, most owners cite saving money as the root of their green efforts, saying it is the primary motivator when implementing or considering business actions that could have environmental impact.
Three-fourths say savings are the primary reason they are currently or would reduce energy usage, invest in energy efficient systems or change shipping/distribution. When it comes to recycling, however, one-third (34 percent) cite savings as their primary motivation, while nearly half (49 percent) recycle for the environment.
-- Recycling Rules: When asked what actions they have taken, nearly
three-quarters (70 percent) of owners recycle. However, only about half
(55 percent) are taking action to reduce energy usage, and one-third
(39 percent) are investing in energy efficient systems. One-fifth (20
percent) have changed shipping or distribution.
-- Good Intentions: Overall, PNC found business owners' intentions are
good as 80 percent say they give some consideration to environmental
impact when it comes to running their business. Within that total,
however, 26 percent view it as a "major" consideration while 21 percent
say environmental impact is "not something I think about."
Methodology
PNC, one of nine winners worldwide of the Urban Land Institute's Sustainable Cities Award for its commitment to green business, conducted its Green Small Business Survey between late July and mid-August by telephone within the United States among nearly 1,000 owners or senior decision-makers of small and mid-sized businesses with annual revenues of $100,000 to $250 million. The results given in this release are based on interviews with 507 businesses nationally, while the remaining 399 interviews were conducted among businesses within the states of Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Sampling error for the national results is +/- 4.0 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.
The survey was conducted by Artemis Strategy Group (www.ArtemisSG.com), a communications strategy research firm specializing in brand positioning and policy issues. The firm, headquartered in Washington D.C., provides communications research and consulting to a range of public and private sector clients.
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations providing consumer and business banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management; asset management and global fund services.
This report has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended as specific advice or recommendations. Information has been gathered from third party sources and has not been independently verified or accepted by The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. PNC makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the information, assumptions, analyses or conclusions presented in the report. PNC cannot be held responsible for any errors or misrepresentations contained in the report or in the information gathered from third party sources. Any reliance upon the information provided in the report is solely and exclusively at your own risk.
SOURCE The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
Released October 30, 2008