I had the opportunity recently to talk with David Lucioni the Environment & Product Safety Manager of Canon (UK) Ltd. regarding their recent award and recognition for being a Green Company. I have always felt that the ECM industry and its practices support being Green and was happy to learn of the accomplishments made by Canon in this area. The following is an excerpt of our communications.
Bob: First I want to congratulate you and Canon on this wonderful achievement. Tell me, how did you hear about the Green Company Awards?
David: I joined Canon in October 2008, by which time Canon had already received its first Green Company award in 2008. Canon came in 13th overall which is the highest in our industry sector. I was involved with our 2009 application, where we came in 32nd overall, but our environmental score was the same as for 2008. The difference this year was in the number of entrants had increased, and there were many entrants whose whole raison d’être was environmental activities. We are still happy with the results and we have a plan in place to increase our rating for 2010!
Bob: What were the criteria for this Award?
David: The Sunday Times Best Green Companies award is unique, and the results highly relevant and credible. The award is based on a questionnaire that the Environment Manager has to complete, covering the environmental performance of the company (energy consumption, environmental policy and management etc.), corporate social responsibility (engagement with local community etc.) and also an anonymous employee survey, which must be completed by a minimum number of employees (approximately 30%). This makes for an interesting twist when you consider that the staff of any company will be its most cynical and critical judge of its culture and performance.
Bob: How did Canon qualify for the Award?
David: Canon's corporate philosophy of Kyosei, a Japanese word literally translated as "living and working together for the common good" is deeply entrenched in every activity that Canon undertakes and this philosophy is realised in our environmental management system. The philosophy also ensures that Canon behaves as a good corporate citizen - an example of this is Canon's long-standing relationship as the first conservation partner with WWF (over 10 years!) and its relationship with the Red Cross (Canon provides support to thirteen Red Cross National Societies across Europe, with a particular focus on new and existing Red Cross youth projects that support and educate young people to deal with the issues they face in today's society). The judging is by an independent consultancy.
Bob: What suggestions would you have for companies seeking to be Greener?
David: Start with an environmental management system. It will ensure that you can put in place a system to monitor and measure your impact on the environment, and then put a plan in place to reduce it. In most cases the exercise is cost neutral, as there are nearly always savings that can be made. The ONLY way to succeed is if ALL of the senior management buy in 100%. It is not simply a certificate on the wall - you have to believe in what you are trying to do and sometimes stick your neck out if you want to be a leader. No-one can be a 'green crusader' on their own, it is only with support from the top down that a company can be successful - and that is why it is so good here at Canon.
Thank you for this great insight and for taking time out of your busy schedule to share this with me and our readers. Best of luck for 2010 and I look forward to hearing from you again regarding your planned improvements.
What say you? How is your organization becoming a Green Company? Do you have a story to tell? I want to hear from you and learn what you and your organization are doing.
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Bob Larrivee – AIIM
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