To Kawah:
Hope this still helps explain your question:
One of the tricks to get them to listen to you is to show them the incentives of being environmental friendly or being more sustainable.
For businessmen, they like to see how much money they can save/earn (yes, sadly speaking...) by making certain changes. Also, they will be very likely to make changes if their business rivals have started to do something. The changes from Top-down(from high positions) is more likely to happen.
For community, almost the same thing.. the incentives of making certain changes. In addition, community members will be more likely to do something if they see the direct effects of certain environmental problems on their communities. It is suggested that the campaigns are led and run by the locals. Bottom-up (from normal citizens)
For government, despite showing them the $$$ sign, probably the hardest one. The willingness of making changes are usually depend on the politicians themselves. Top-down
There are many ways to make businesses, and governmental departments being more environmental friendly in term of energy use. Here are some examples:
- "Switching to energy saving lightbulbs"- by changing the offices' lightbulbs to energy saving lightbulbs can help companies and government to save alot of $$ every year. Also, it makes them look 'greener'
- adjust the air-con temp- Air-cons consume quite alot of energy. The management can higher the air-con temp; at the same time, encourage people to wear short-sleeve shirt (Hong Kong has started this initiatives, why dont us?)
- Building's design- If constructing a new building, the authorities can consider building a more energy-efficiency building.
There is a relatively new 'style' of marketing in promoting environmental awareness or making behavior changes. Community-Based Social Marketing is the alternative and probably more effective ways to help communities to make changes. check cbsm.com if you are interested in.