Help coming on 'green' decisions

The British Standards Institution has launched a joint project designed to develop tools for achieving an integrated approach to sustainable development. The goal is to support companies in managing environmental, social, ethical and health & safety issues more effectively.

"These will help managers understand the trade-offs they need to consider to make decisions," said a BSI spokesman.

In addition to the commercial pressures to make the best use of resources, the project also reflects concern for the potential negative effects of corporate decisions - the possibility of legal action or public image damage. As the new approach is developed, it will be tested in a series of pilot schemes.

At the same time, Co-operative Bank, a champion of sustainable business practice, has announced it has nearly achieved a 20% reduction in annual carbon dioxide emissions through the use of 'green' energy. The bank has now set itself a new target - reducing emissions by 60% from 1997 levels over the next 10 years.

Elliott Chase