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Videos
July 1, 2011 Sponsored by AT&T
Studies show sustainability can minimize environmental impact and save money.
Summary:
For years, government agencies have expressed concern over the costs of sustainability initiatives. But as more governments and businesses have put sustainability into practice, there is mounting
evidence that sustainability actually saves money. That’s because sustainable practices often create greater efficiency and reduce waste.
Sustainable practices can reduce consumption of energy and fuel, lower greenhouse gas emissions and create more streamlined, efficient work processes. So sustainability can be good for the planet and the bottom line. Sustainability projects often deliver financial returns that far outweigh the initial investment. In fact, many times the return on investment is measured in months, not years.
Both business and government can lead the way in sustainability. For example, AT&T and Portland, Ore., have both proven that sustainable practices save money in several ways. AT&T cut the energy intensity of its networks by 16.6 percent in 2010, versus 2009, and has also saved with server virtualization and telecommuting. In Portland, sustainable practices in the data center and printing, as well as the use of solarpowered parking meters, have saved the city significant amounts of money.
