Business Sustainabilty

Is Reporting Waste a Waste of Time?

Is Reporting Waste a Waste of Time?

This post poses the question whether or not reporting is a waste of time and then continues by showing three varying examples of where the GRI reporting is incomplete in very important ways and does not include critical data that is needed in order for the report to give a clear and actual picture of what kinds of waste are being generated and how they are being handled (or not handled). Elaine concludes by providing an example of what she feels is a GRI report, by Vestas, that provides clear numbers, clear narrative, clear graphics, clear reporting, in conformance with EN22 performance indicator.

Why Does Energy Efficiency’s Promise Remain Unfulfilled?

Why Does Energy Efficiency’s Promise Remain Unfulfilled?

Among the many measures the world can take to wean itself off fossil fuels, few match the benefits of making homes, business, and cars more energy-efficient. But financial and psychological barriers have kept individuals, businesses, and governments from realizing efficiency’s great potential.

In Supply Chain Logistics Management, There’s a Reverse Gear–and It’s Green–Part 2

In Supply Chain Logistics Management, There’s a Reverse Gear–and It’s Green–Part 2

Once you determine which products pose the greatest asset value in terms of recoverability, you should then look for potential ways to reprocess or reuse waste byproducts or other manufacturers that may be turn your waste into their product feedstock. Your company, your customers and the environment will benefit tremendously.

Significant Changes Ahead for Sustainability Reporting

Significant Changes Ahead for Sustainability Reporting

Over the next few years sustainability reporting is going to be going through some major evolutions. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is scheduled to launch its new G4 reporting framework by 2013. For those who may not be sustainability experts the GRI’s current G3 framework is the de facto single reporting standard in the world. The G4 is an evolution of the G3 framework that includes new sustainability issues which have emerged more visibly during the last five years since the G3 was developed in 2006. This post discusses the new G4 GRI reporting framework and makes the point that it is an opportunity to raise the threshold for all sustainability reports.

Integrating Sustainability into the Capital Planning Process

Integrating Sustainability into the Capital Planning Process

Company management should evaluate and prioritize green options while remaining aligned with their organization’s overall business mission. In this post, Susan Buchanan advises organizations that are just beginning the approach to sustainability to start with the low hanging fruit, i.e. the relatively achievable and lower cost green initiatives that can deliver short-term paybacks by reducing energy and natural resource consumption. Starting with an objective evaluation of their current state of sustainability and the options for change both in terms of financial metrics of course, but also looking at other metrics such as footprint and life cycle costing. Once these baseline metrics are established then the many green opportunities become more clear.

The Journey to Business Sustainability: A Framework

The Journey to Business Sustainability: A Framework

Giselle Weybrecht, author of The Sustainable MBA: The Manager’s Guide To Green Business, recommends five steps to take to get started with the implementation of sustainable business practices within an organization: assess where your firm is now; gain a thorough understanding of the regulations that affect your organization; define your strategy and approach to sustainability as well as your drivers; create realistic targets and objectives; and be prepared to monitor your activities, reevaluate your efforts and adjust your strategy to the ever-changing sustainability industry.

Sustainability Marketing 2.0: Consumers, Communication, Conversations and Communities

Sustainability Marketing 2.0: Consumers, Communication, Conversations and Communities

Frank-Martin Belz and Ken Peattie examine the role that online and social media play in sustainability marketing, and how they allow direct interactions between companies and consumers.

7 Ways to Reduce Sustainable Packaging Costs When Market Prices are Rising

7 Ways to Reduce Sustainable Packaging Costs When Market Prices are Rising

Buyers of sustainable packaging face the same seasonal price increases that everyone else does who purchases packaging. However, there are a few ways you can offset these costs, while improving productivity. They include reviewing the following: your needs, quality versus performance cost, and the total cost of all packaging related expenses. You should also focus on cost not price, look at how equipment and automation can help you save, consider buying in larger quantities, and look into prompt payment discounts.

Lean is Green

Lean is Green

It can be said that lean is green. The obvious benefits of green and lean are energy savings, productivity savings, and savings from improved utilization of materials. They can also lead to innovations that involve creation of new products out of waste materials.