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US Spending On Sustainability on Low Growth Trajectory
Posted On 12 Jun 2013
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Spending in the US market on energy, environment and sustainability initiatives by large corporations will grow at just 5% per annum until 2017, according to a new study from Verdantix.
GLOBE-Net, June 12, 2013 – Spending in the US market on energy, environment and sustainability initiatives by large corporations will grow at just 5% per annum until 2017, according to a new market size and forecast study from independent analyst firm Verdantix.
Based on the proprietary Critical Moments® methodology, interviews with 500 energy and sustainability budget-holders and an analysis of more than 1,000 corporate initiatives, the model forecasts the US market will grow from $34.6 billion in 2012 to $43.6 billion in 2017.
[stextbox id=”custom” float=”true” width=”200″ bcolor=”add3d5″ bgcolor=”add3d5″ image=”null”]Sustainable business spending is defined as: Spending on employees, equipment, consulting, implementation and support services directly in line with a firm’s strategic, operational and commercial objectives to achieve sustainable business goals linked to resource efficiency, risk management, innovation and competitive advantage. [/stextbox]
“Large corporations in the US have no financial incentive to increase their investment in energy and sustainability beyond annual increases of 5%,” commented Patty Satkiewicz, Verdantix Industry Analyst and author of the report.
“Policy on renewable energy, energy efficiency, GHG reporting and environmental compliance will not change. And low natural gas prices will keep downward pressure on electricity prices during the forecast period,” she aded.
The Verdantix market size and forecast model provides a rich data-set to help commercial leaders understand spending by more than 2,856 firms with $1 billion revenues in the US. The analysis tracks spending on 29 initiatives grouped into energy management, environment, health & safety, sustainability innovation, sustainable transport, strategy and risk management, and human capital. Highlights from the study:
Three industries dominate spending.In 2013 the oil and gas, utilities and retail sectors will account for 42% of total spend by US corporations on energy, EH&S and sustainability initiatives representing $15.4 billion. Technology, industrial engineering and pharmaceuticals are all $2 billion markets.
Energy management is the largest category of spend.US corporations will spend $13.9 billion on all aspects of energy management in 2013, compared with $13.1 billion on EH&S management, and $5.3 billion on sustainability strategy, branding and risk management.
Hidden spend on employees tops $12 billion.Cash-strapped firms are keeping a lot of activity in-house resulting in a $12.1 billion wage bill for energy, environment and sustainability management. The consulting market represents $6.8 billion and program management $102 billion.
[stextbox id=”custom” float=”true” align=”right” width=”200″ bcolor=”add3d5″ bgcolor=”add3d5″ image=”null”]”CEOs love to talk about their commitments to sustainability, environmental protection and energy efficiency, but press releases are not followed up with extra cash commitments” David Metcalfe, Verdantix CEO.[/stextbox]
Few industries will increase spend above 5%.Compound annual growth rates for virtually all industries are trapped in a 4% to 5% bracket for the 2012-2017 period. Only automotive (7%), food and beverage (6%) and chemicals (6%) will grow above the overall trend.
“Weather impacts in 2012 like Hurricane Sandy and the drought in the mid-West were wake up calls without being cash calls,” commented David Metcalfe, Verdantix CEO.
“For spending growth to reach double-digits the US economy would need to expand at more than 4% per annum, Congress would need to pass new regulations on energy efficiency and environmental compliance, and corporations would need to compete more intensively on sustainability innovation. We do not forecast that will happen.”
“Corporate Spending on Sustainability Related Initiatives” will be a major topic at GLOBE 2014, the next in the celebrated GLOBE Series of Conferences and Trade Fairs on the business of the environment taking place in Vancouver Canada, March 26-28, 2014. Reserve your place now. Check here for more details.
