Increasingly businesses are becoming aware of the benefits of being environmentally friendly but what happens once the decision has been made to turn the business green?

Reducing the environmental impacts of a business is not a fast process so having a strategy to incorporate environmental issues into the strategic planning is vital for long term success.

The following six step strategy outlines activities a business will undertake in becoming sustainable.

1. Confirm management is committed to the environmental vision: Nothing happens in a business without the support of management. This is not so difficult in small organizations but larger companies will need to enlist the support of all those with managerial responsibilities. The management team should decide their definition of a green business as well as their reasons for going green. Is the motive to engage in ethical behavior, be certified as environmentally friendly for marketing or to ensure environmental regulations are adhered to?

2. Create an environmental policy: Similar to the strategic vision, the environmental policy indicates at a high level what the business is committed to. Staff at all levels should have the opportunity to have input on the policy so it becomes a living document they will support in future.

3. Determine the environmental impacts of the business: Look at all the inputs and outputs of the business in the creation of the product or service. Consider the environmental impact of any supplies purchased as well as the resources used each day. Take into account the key areas of the business. While water use, energy use and waste management are the most well known environmental issues, there are many other ways a business can impact the environment such as staff undertaking extensive travel or the use of toxic chemicals for cleaning.

4. Set environmental goals: Take into account the impacts of the business and decide the short and long term environmental goals. By this stage there should be a good understanding of the key areas which enables environmental goals to be prioritized. One priority should be to ensure the business is in compliance with environmental regulations.

5. Establish green practices in the key areas: Once goals have been set and prioritized, decisions can be made on what operational changes are required in the key areas. Determine who will be responsible for ensuring each goal is completed and how progress towards the goal will be monitored and reported.

6. Make a green communications plan: Decide how the business will report its sustainability improvements to a wider audience. The plan should address the frequency and form of communication with staff, suppliers, clients and shareholders.

Just like any business planning process, the environmental plan must be viewed as a cycle with regular reviews of the policy, impacts, goals and practices. Lessons learned through experience and new information can be incorporated into the strategy each time it is reviewed.

Manda Trevarthen is a consultant on green business practices. For more green business information check out http://letsdoitgreen.com