Out-Law Guide | 25 Jan 2010 | 4:44 pm | 1 min. read
As the world is increasingly reacting to climate change and environmental concerns, at an international level, a European level and through national governments, companies are facing the inevitable and rethinking how they do business.
Companies need to develop business strategies to ensure they assess the emerging risks and opportunities, and adapt to the challenges of operating in a low-carbon economy and in a business environment that is increasingly intolerant of excessive waste and the use of hazardous materials.
Drivers for greener business include:
Among the economic benefits are tax breaks. Enhanced capital allowances are available to businesses for certain energy-saving technologies. The allowances enable a business to claim 100% first-year capital allowances on qualifying plant and machinery. The list of relevant technologies does not include IT products, but includes technologies that may be essential in a major IT system e.g. air conditioning.
Different businesses are affected in different ways, whether it is an IT equipment manufacturer, user or service provider.