Panel Intelligence Survey Finds Corporate “Green” Spending on Sustainability is Increasing Despite Weakening Economy

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eighty percent of corporate sustainability executives surveyed from across North America plan to maintain or increase levels of sustainability-related spending in 2009, despite the current economic conditions. This is one of several important insights published today by Panel Intelligence, LLC, in the first-ever Quarterly Sustainability Tracking Study.

Panel’s survey data was compiled the first week of November 2008, before the election, and found that despite a declining U.S. economy and lower oil prices, corporate investment in energy efficiency remains strong. Responses were analyzed from 65 sustainability executives of Fortune 500 companies. Highlights from the survey include the following:

• Sustainability and clean technology spending – as a percentage of corporate revenues – is expected to increase 73 percent through 2010.
• Eighty-two percent of respondents rated energy efficiency as the most important area of focus and investment currently.
• Corporate spending on sustainable waste management initiatives is expected to grow by 20 percent in 2009, the highest percentage increase of any subcategory.
• Cost savings, revenue generation and brand strength are the most important drivers of environmental and clean technology initiatives.
• Nearly 55 percent of respondents observe no financial criteria (i.e. ROI, payback period) when evaluating sustainability projects for their respective organizations.
• A majority of respondents believe capital remains available for sustainability projects.

“Our Quarterly Sustainability Tracking Study clearly illustrates that sustainability and clean technology initiatives have achieved a tipping point and are no longer perceived by U.S. organizations as an optional expense. Rather, sustainability is an opportunity to achieve a greater competitive advantage and higher efficiency, even in a down economy,” said Scott Packard, Ph.D., vice president of quantitative research for Panel Intelligence. “Similar to competitive pricing, technology and product quality, sustainability is starting to be required by customers and supply chain partners.”

About Panel Intelligence

Panel Intelligence, LLC, based in Cambridge, Mass., provides primary market research to corporate and financial clients in the CleanTech and Healthcare industries. Our seasoned research staff understands the unique complexities of each industry as well as the types of decisions our clients need to support. As a fully committed and capable research partner, we will work closely with you to identify objectives, recruit experts, elicit information, and synthesize results. Our domain expertise, global network of experts, and proven online methods all combine to help you make better decisions. Panel Intelligence, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merriman Curhan Ford (NASDAQ:MERR).