According to a 2007 study by McKinsey & Company, the United States could shave as much as 28% off the amount of greenhouse gases it generates, at a modest cost and with only small technology innovations.

Not only that, many of the changes would actually result in some fairly hefty savings that would easily pay for themselves. Corporations are starting to see the light—and it’s green.

Goldman Sachs, the prophetic financier that just sidestepped the real estate crisis, started investing in cellulosic ethanol, wind power and solar power in 2005. It’s paying off well enough that some of the company’s executive limousines are now hybrids.

General Electric’s “Ecomagination” programs are helping to cut greenhouse gas emissions, while GE’s line of energy-efficient products (including wind-operated electric generators) is growing every day.

Interesting, isn’t it? Ideas that seemed kooky and treehugger-esque are suddenly good for business. And you don’t have to be an energy sector player for these efforts to pay, either.

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