In results verified by the California Climate Action Registry, Bowman Design Group has slashed its greenhouse gas emissions by 65 percent in just two years. This result far exceeds the state of California’s goal, which mandates statewide greenhouse gas emission reductions of 15 percent by 2020 and 95 percent by 2050 versus 2008 levels.
Bowman Design Group undertook its green initiative, in part, to see whether a small business could meet the California emission goals and remain financially viable. After analyzing 2006 baseline data, the firm prioritized sustainability efforts and focused its actions on reducing car emissions and power consumption throughout the office. Replacing the company SUV with a hybrid, facilitating telecommuting, encouraging carpooling and combining supplier and client visits with commuting were changes that yielded significant improvements – reducing fuel use by 63 percent and employee driving by 43 percent. Bowman Design Group reduced electricity use by 27 percent after installing compact fluorescent lighting, consolidating office equipment, eliminating “vampire power” and replacing faulty air conditioning equipment with a more efficient model. Water consumption, waste production and office supply purchases were also reduced during implementation of the green business plan.
The sustainability efforts produced financial benefits as well. In just two years, Bowman Design Group saved 59 percent on fuel costs for the company vehicle, plus 29 percent on reimbursed mileage for business driving in employees’ cars. The firm also enjoyed a 40 percent savings on electricity costs.
Tom Bowman, president of Bowman Design Group, spearheaded his company’s green business plan and, as part of his larger effort, launched Bowman Global Change to help other businesses and institutions understand the issues and find effective ways to respond.
“Our success demonstrates that relatively minor changes – if they’re the right changes – can produce dramatic results without significant expense,” Bowman said.
Bowman expects the firm to achieve an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 with continued implementation of its green business plan.
Bowman Design Group is based in Los Angeles and hosts clients such as the National Academy of Sciences and Scripps Institution and the FIFA World Cup. The company is lead by Tom Bowman, an expert in green business, who has contributed his expertise to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Public Health Association, and numerous exhibit industry groups. Additional information can be found at www.bowmandesigngroup.com or by calling (562) 494-3400.
