"Environment a priority for business," study says

priority.jpgEnvironmental and corporate responsibility is the number one investment priority for UK businesses over the coming year, according to research by financial advisers Grant Thornton.

The survey of 200 medium and large businesses across the UK found that the majority (40%) were most likely to invest in areas related to the environment and corporate responsibility in the coming year in comparison to any other area.

Second equal in priority over the next 12 months was investment in training and development, and regulation (26%), followed by 9% of companies who plan on investing in infrastructure and premises.

In addition, of those business leaders questioned, an overwhelming 99% rated environmental and corporate responsibility issues as either important or very important in comparison to other issues
on their business agenda.

Alysoun Stewart, Head of Grant Thornton’s Strategic Services Group, says: “These results are an encouraging start and suggest that businesses appear to be tuned in to the importance of
adopting a responsible attitude towards the environment and their corporate obligations.”

According to the survey, more than half (53%) of respondents cite cost as a limiting factor to further investment. This is followed by 31% claiming logistical difficulties, one quarter (25%) being hampered by a lack of information and 22% by a lack of communication from the government.