BUSINESS people in Worcestershire are not recognising the impact that environmental behaviour could have on the competitiveness of their businesses, according to a recently published report.

A survey conducted by sustainable business experts Envirowise found that 43 per cent expected no change in the environmental awareness of customers and clients in the near future.

This is despite the United Kingdom market for green goods and services topping an annual £29 billion and rising annually, according to re-search conducted by the Co-operative Bank.

The report states that while 75 per cent of companies say that they view the environment as a quite important' issue, in reality just under a third (32 per cent) are doing anything about it.

John Barraclough, Envirowise manager for the West Midlands, said: "These results highlight a worrying divide between the growing influence of the environment and delays by business to implement practical action.

"Not only could this blinkered approach impact on a company's competitive position and reputation, but it also suggests that they are missing out on the significant cost-saving potential.

"For example, only 18 per cent of respondents to our survey cite money savings as the reason for environmental action, yet we know that businesses are able to save up to £1,000 per employee each year simply by taking action in the workplace."

Envirowise says that companies should put someone in charge of drawing up an environmental action plan, because threequarters of those surveyed had not yet done so Envirowise was set up to help West Midlands businesses become greener and Mr Barraclough said that companies should be making the most of it.

He said it was best to start small with simple changes, such as printing double-sided, to get the ball rolling.

For free advice, visit www.envirowise.gov.uk/ westmidlands or call 0800 585794.