http://greeneconomypost.com Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:51:39 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Amid a growing call for reducing atmospheric concentrations of CO2 to 350 parts per million, a group of economists maintains that striving to meet that target is a smart investment — and the best insurance policy humanity could buy. by Frank Ackerman, senior economist with the Stockholm Environment Institute at Tufts ... http://greeneconomypost.com/economic-case-slashing-carbon-emissions-8835.htm Educating employees about energy efficiency,conservation, recycling, waste reduction and other similar measures benefit not only the companies that institute them, but also the organization's employees, but also the communities in which they operate. by Green Economy Post Staff A new study by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) finds that environmental and ... http://greeneconomypost.com/business-case-environmental-and-sustainability-employee-education-8845.htm The Sustainability Professional: 2010 Competency Survey Report provides insights into what sustainability professionals see as important skills needed and what are their most critical challenges. by Tracey de Morsella, Green Economy Post Late last week, the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) published The Sustainability Professional: 2010 Competency Survey Report. The ... http://greeneconomypost.com/skills-needed-sustainability-professional-8866.htm Proposals for virtual presentations are invited for the Sustainability Virtual Summits to be held in March, September and November of this year. The three summits will feature virtual conferences and exhibitions focusing on sustainability issues pertaining to the Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Smart Business Operations and Smart Infrastructure industry ... http://greeneconomypost.com/call-for-presentations-sustainability-virtual-summits-8443.htm Companies are now requiring their suppliers to address carbon management as a core business issue.  A plan to deselect some suppliers in the future for failing to meet carbon management criteria set by the companies.  These organizations are increasinigly developing strategies for engaging with suppliers on carbon related issues amd ... http://greeneconomypost.com/carbon-management-is-becoming-a-core-supply-chain-business-issue-8798.htm The European Space Agency is now accepting proposals from young researchers undertaking innovative research projects that are focused on understanding Earth's systems.  This call for proposals is headlined under the Changing Earth Science Network Initiative. The Changing Earth Science Network Initiative, which was launched last year accommodates post-doctoral scientists ... http://greeneconomypost.com/european-space-agency-supports-young-researchers-calls-for-proposals-for-changing-earth-science-network-initiative-8135.htm If we express our values through our community investment, then to substantiate our authenticity, we need to be consistent in applying those values to our core business. by Kevin Moss, Head of CSR at BT Americas. I was honored to be the keynote presenter recently at the PR News 2009 CSR Awards ... http://greeneconomypost.com/authenticity-rebuilding-trust-8882.htm A recent study by A.T. Kearney indicates that firms with “true commitment to sustainability” outperform industry peers in the financial markets.  Companies that embraced sustainability before it became in vogue, now have the competitive advantage.  These companies increased production volume while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, decreasing water consumption, optimizing packaging ... http://greeneconomypost.com/downturn-green-companies-outperform-5878.htm Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) jobs appear to have been another casualty of the global economic recession. But, the good news is that, like other economic indicators, this one appears to be on the upswing. by Tracey de Morsella, Green Economy Post Sustainability Recruiting's recently releasedCSR Jobs Report shows CSR job postings ... http://greeneconomypost.com/after-drastic-68-decline-csr-job-postings-on-the-upswing-8809.htm In the wake of a new report revealing that a clean-energy grant program in the stimulus has paid out more than $1 billion to foreign manufacturers, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Bob Casey (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Jon Tester (D-MT) urged the Obama administration Wednesday to suspend the ... http://greeneconomypost.com/buy-american%e2%80%99-provision-clean-energy-projects-stimulus-plan-8780.htm The drive to extract and store CO2 from coal-fired power plants is gaining momentum, with the Obama administration backing the technology and the world’s first capture and sequestration project now operating in the U.S. Two questions loom: Will carbon capture and storage be affordable? And will it be safe? by David ... http://greeneconomypost.com/co2-capture-storage-8775.htm High-profile leaders gathered to discuss opportunities in the world of environmental capital at the Eco:nomics Conference, and the identify what the best practices where when applying green marketing.  The include: looking for the “low-hanging fruit” for quicker ROI, giving customers reasons to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors, making the message personal ... http://greeneconomypost.com/green-marketing-best-practices-8737.htm Ceres has released the first comprehensive assessment and ranking of water disclosure practices of 100 publicly-traded companies in eight key sectors exposed to water-related risks: beverage, chemicals, electric power, food, homebuilding, mining, oil and gas, and semiconductors. The report highlights best practices, key gaps and trends in water reporting and ... http://greeneconomypost.com/managing-disclosing-water-scarcity-risks-8548.htm A new report released by independent research firm, Verdantix, explains why firms are floundering with carbon management and putting the future of the business at risk due to flawed governance and strained business processes.  It warns that unless CEOs take ownership of carbon management as a business transformation challenge their ... http://greeneconomypost.com/best-practice-strategies-carbon-management-8534.htm Women's History Month is here! Let's take a look at some of the women who are shaping wind and solar energy as renewables plays an expanding role in all our lives. by Jeremy Gross, Green Economy Post Women’s History Month began in 1978 as "Women's History Week" in Sonoma County, California. Then ... http://greeneconomypost.com/women-in-wind-asolar-energy-8579.htm After a banner year in 2008 of investments directed to capital-intensive technologies like solar and wind, US venture capitalists backed away from that plan in 2009. So where are they putting their money now? Where the fastest payback is likely to be. New analysis shows a surge of investments in ... http://greeneconomypost.com/venture-capitalists-transition-to-energy-efficiency-investments-in-2009-8108.htm While women are more eco aware than men, they are are underrepresented  in green jobs.  This includes jobs created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  However, there are a growing number of programs that are designed to address these inequities. by Claire Morgenstern, Content and Communications Manager, The Conservation Law ... http://greeneconomypost.com/green-jobs-women-8669.htm LCA Sustainable Supply Chain USA (‘Measuring and Addressing Environmental & Social Impacts Throughout the Entire Life Cycle and Supply Chain’) is the 7th event in the International Carbon Footprinting conference series. The previous summits have been hugely successful with over 900 delegates attending from major brands and international retailers. This ... http://greeneconomypost.com/green-event-spotlight-lca-sustainable-supply-chain-usa-2010-8448.htm Sustainable packaging is becoming a fact of life for companies that seek to remain competitive. Companies employing sustainable packaging report cost savings, improved environmental footprints, brand image and company reputation among other benefits. Those businesses that take the lead now will be ahead of the curve and enjoy the benefits in ... http://greeneconomypost.com/sustainable-packaging-8625.htm While other industries are sputtering along or even tanking, as a result of the global recession, the emerging  Enterprise Carbon Accounting (ECA) software market is experience a phase of phenomenal growth.  The number as providers has almost doubled, venture capital money is flowing freely and  Groom Energy predicts that ECA ... http://greeneconomypost.com/carbon-accounting-software-market-growth-8332.htm From Christi Graham, Founder & CEO, West Coast Green..... We are deeply invested in our faculty – who are often our own heroes – and dedicate an incredible amount of time to their leadership development.  Our speaker faculty is unique: they are able to dynamically share their technical ... http://greeneconomypost.com/join-the-faculty-of-west-coast-green-2010-8612.htm More than 80 CEOs from U.S. businesses, from eBay to PG&E to Virgin America, have sent a letter to President Obama and members of Congress asking them to create the impetus to achieve these goals by enacting climate and energy legislation. by Michael Tam, Green Economy Post Job creation.  Innovation.  U.S. competitiveness.  ... http://greeneconomypost.com/climate-energy-legislation-balls-in-your-court-washington-8162.htm [caption id="attachment_8596" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="US Climate Change Policy"][/caption] The debate surrounding global climate change has been a hot button issue for the past few years.  In most cases, the average person doesn’t know enough about the science behind this issue to make an informed decision.  The fact is that climate ... http://greeneconomypost.com/climate-change-the-crisis-that-will-define-the-21st-century-economically-and-politically-8315.htm Verdantix, recently released a free report, that explains why the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) is needed, defines the role of the CSO, and provides a profile to guide the appointment of the CSO.  It also explains why organizations face a climate change and sustainability management deficit, why fixing sustainability governance ... http://greeneconomypost.com/successful-chief-sustainability-officer-8569.htm Community wind power provides local ownership with economic, social, and environmental benefits to strengthen local communities. Learn about why you should bring wind into your community. by Jeremy Gross, Green Economy Post The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reported that the U.S. wind energy industry broke all previous records in 2008 ... http://greeneconomypost.com/community-wind-power-benefits-8267.htm The Economist Intelligence Unit Survey finds mixed results in a poll of 202 executives in the financial and corporate social responsibility sectors.  Many executives believe that sustainability practices will have a significant effect on their company's bottom line in the long run.  However, short term results are less optimistic.  Executives ... http://greeneconomypost.com/sustainability-and-profit-relationship-remains-uncertain-8139.htm Scientists at the California Institute of Technology have developed a new type of solar cell that comprise of arrays of thin silicon wires embedded in polymer substrate. The unique optical interactions between these wires provide the cells with an enhanced light absorption capability and improved internal quantum efficiency over conventional ... http://greeneconomypost.com/high-efficiency-solar-cells-can-be-made-at-a-much-lower-cost-8319.htm There is an increasing number of women who are in leadership roles in sustainability. As part of Women's History Month, let's take a look at 10 women who are making strides in sustainability and shaping ethical consumerism. Add women in sustainability that you admire to the list in the comments ... http://greeneconomypost.com/women-in-sustainability-8309.htm Around the world, visionary change agents are hard at work incubating new approaches to the planet’s toughest challenges. Yet they’re often doing so without taking advantage of the latest tools and thinking in technology, communications and innovation – or a network of experts, peers, and supporters who can help them ... http://greeneconomypost.com/poptech-social-innovation-fellows-program-8096.htm A well-crafted green lease provides an opportunity to improve landlord/tenant collaboration on sustainability issues, leading to increased building performance, including energy efficiency. Green commercial leases provide incentives to reduce energy use and water, and increase recycling and the use of sustainable materials.  A green lease detailing the sustainable use of ... http://greeneconomypost.com/green-leases-improve-building-performance-8003.htm