Who is saying what about sustainability?

Green issues are top of the agenda in 2010. And industry voices on the topic are growing louder than ever before.

According to the Smart Manufacturing Conference co-ordinator "To differentiate yourself in a growing market, manufacturers need to move from just selling green products and services to becoming a 'green' company. It's time we took green manufacturing to the next level."

Carbon Trust meanwhile has kick started a fresh green agenda: Manufacturers are being offered up to £250,000 in funding to help develop new energy saving technologies and practices. The Carbon Trust has formally launched a major new initiative designed to slash energy costs and carbon emissions from across the UK's manufacturing sector by up to a third.

Alongside traditional business challenges such as rising production costs and skills shortages, Northwest manufacturers are increasingly concerned about offshore competition and ‘green’ legislation, says The Manufacturing Challenges survey, by Manchester’s Manufacturing Institute, which captured the views of nearly 200 North West manufacturers across the industrial spectrum - from aerospace and engineering - to electronics, food and packaging.

EEF marketing manager Jo Britton, however, believes businesses should see green legislation not as a burden but an opportunity to improve productivity and profits.

Not surprisingly, top business priority now and over the next three years is reducing production costs, with the need to improve sales and marketing also high on the agenda. And companies are already anticipating growing environmental legislation in the near future.

Industry Week corroborates just that. It said recently that no sector of the economy comes close to the manufacturing sector in generating vast volumes of waste. And, with the world’s eyes more focused on corporate environmental responsibility than ever, scrutiny of manufacturing practices has reached an all-time high.

There are stricter regulations coming into force, pressure from all-sides to act now, tight budgets, sharp rises in energy prices, and an all-around lack of relevant and reliable information on how to green the manufacturing process.

Taking steps towards being a 'green manufacturer' isn't just about being eco-friendly, it's becoming an economic necessity, as customers and shareholders are now demanding it, suggests energy and utilities services provider, Dalkia.

Manufacturers the world-over are facing a new 'green' reality and those that don't adapt to this new environment will suffer.

Meanwhile, many businesses are relishing the challenge. Green awards it seems are all the rage. NWDA has had its very own Environment Awards for seven years. Meanwhile the don of all eco events has to be The Green Manufacturing Summit, which addresses crucial green concerns. Offering a one-stop shop for the latest information and advice on going green the smart way, and your chance to finally get clear on what’s going on in the industry, how you can be a part of it, and how it can make your operation more efficient and profitable.

Support agencies such as EEF, ENWORKS, and The Green Achiever, will have their work cut out for them helping manufacturers transition to a greener world.

One thing is for sure; many businesses will need help finding sustainable solutions to resource efficiency if they are keep a lucrative bottom line.