How would you advise Global 1000 companies to prepare for doing business in the Sixth Evolution?
SM: Eco-strategy should not be that different from business strategy – the two should not be separate initiatives. Public policy will change dramatically over the next four years. President-elect Obama has talked about pricing carbon via a cap-and-trade program. It is critical that businesses are aware of how pricing carbon will impact the company from a business standpoint – which could be quite dramatic. Companies should also be aware of how their operations could benefit from energy efficiency. Twenty percent of electricity usage is for lighting, for example. Adopting a new more efficient technology, such as LED lighting, will come with a higher price tag up front but its lifetime cost will be lower. Companies must be able to quantify their energy-efficiency savings and the impact on the company’s business. Investments in next-generation energy technology can also be beneficial. By implementing renewable energy technologies, companies can take advantage of valuable tax credits. Last
