It’s beginning to look like the current economic turbulence around the globe might actually be accelerating green initiatives, green business and green investment. Granted, as the green guy here at WebEx, I tend to see things through sea-foam colored glasses, but the evidence is mounting.

First the BIG MISCONCEPTION: As companies cut back, one of the first things to go will be the green program – it’s expensive and isn’t directly related to generating business. As I wrote in this blog post, I’m beginning to think that we’re just looking at the question from the wrong angle (though I will add that more and more people I’m talking to are changing their perspective). Is reducing travel too expensive? Doesn’t letting your employees – especially sales people - work from home (or wherever they are) help them generate more business?

I saw this piece on GreenBiz.com that points to a trend that telecommuting isn’t a “work-life” benefit of large companies, but rather a necessity for smaller companies trying to find and acquire the best talent to help them grow quickly. Granted, it’s just one example, but it’s not hard to look around you and find dozens more just like it. They’re becoming (or starting out as) greener companies because it’s the best thing they can do for their business.

And remember the stories that IKON Office Solutions and Continental Airlines told at the Green Business Summit? It’s not just the smaller companies. In these days of belt-tightening and financial caution, these are stories of how taking green steps both cut costs and increased customer satisfaction – both of which have to be good for the business.

Second, there’s the market for green products, services and technologies. Again, things seem to be bucking the trend. GE, one of the largest green products companies in the world, is reporting stunning growth for their Ecomagination business. And new clean tech businesses are launching rapidly. The California Clean Tech Open (a business plan contest for clean tech start-ups) reports that just the recent alumni of their program have raised over $115 million.

While government support for green businesses varies widely, it seems the UN has picked up on the trend and is now launching the Green Economic Initiative to spur green investment globally. Deutsche Bank has also chimed in, saying that green investment will help prevent a severe recession.

All of this is pointing to one conclusion: green efforts, business and investment will help us climb out of recession and the recession is going to be a big boom for green efforts, business and investment. Meaning this is looking to be a very green recession.

Tell us  your story: what are you doing to help your business grow and position itself for future growth that’s also green?