3:08pm Wednesday 13th June 2007
Businesses that don't make an effort to reduce their impact on the environment could one day be taxed for their wastefulness, one West Wales businessman predicts.
Jeremy Bowen-Rees, whose business Landsker Business Centre has achieved a Green Dragon Environmental Award, believes that a green approach to running a business won't be a voluntary option in the future.
"The Government could well tax businesses who don't strive to meet certain achievable targets, it is a real possibility,'' he said.
He signed up to the Green Dragon scheme because it not only saves him money but because he also genuinely cares about the impact his business has on the environment.
"We are all very fortunate to be living in such a beautiful part of the world and I think we all have a responsibility to do whatever we can,'' said Mr Bowen-Rees.
"The collective effect of thousands of people improving their businesses or home environmental performance even by 2-3% will make a difference."
The Landsker Business Centre has simple procedures in place for recycling, reuse and energy minimisation.
This was apparent from the outset when Mr Bowen-Rees converted the Coach House at his home near Whitland to create the business.
"I wanted to create a facility that would blend in with the surroundings, not stick out like a sore thumb,'' he said.
The building is fitted with energy saving devices and heavily insulated which is not only good from an environmental point of view but from a financial one too.
"It's the responsible thing to do; it is something every business should be looking at,'' suggested Mr Bowen-Rees.
Landsker Business Consultancy was also recently appointed by the Welsh Assembly Government as its specialist advisor within the Environmental Goods and Services (EGS) area for the South West Wales region.
The EGS scheme is aimed at providing business expertise and grant support to businesses involved in the environmental sector which could include air and marine pollution control, environmental consultancy, energy management and efficiency, renewable energy and land reclamation.
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