A new report released recently assessed exactly how 40 of the country’s largest cities are trying to limit their carbon footprints and take the steps needed to raise these efforts to the next level. The report, initiated and conducted by Living Cities, a collaboration of 21 of the world’s largest foundations and financial institutions is […]
In the US market demand for advice on climate change and sustainability is growing due to a dramatic shift in US climate change policy, the cost reduction potential of “green” programs and competitive pressure to implement a climate change strategy. Consulting firms that fail to establish their climate change expertise during 2009 will miss out on the biggest opportunity in the consulting market for 20 years, according to independent research conducted by Verdantix. The ground-breaking analysis of the US climate change consulting market applies 56 evaluation criteria to assess 19 consulting and professional services firms including BCG, Booz & Company, CH2M Hill, ENVIRON, ERM, Ernst & Young, ICF International, McKinsey & Company, PA Consulting Group and PwC.
The 2009 Green Professionals Conference is a one-day event focusing on the future of the industry and employment opportunities. The Green Professionals Conference provides job-seekers, first and second year Green Professionals and industry experts with vital networking, educational resources and employment opportunities. By uniting individuals and organizations with a common vision, this event cultivates a community dedicated to a more sustainable world.
Red Rocks Community College has received at National Science Foundation grant for their green collar curriculum programs. Chatham University has formed The School of Sustainability and the Environment. University of Denver has announced a sustainability minor.
Boards of directors are increasingly paying attention to the risks and opportunities associated with corporate responsibility, sustainability and climate change, according to a new survey commissioned by Deloitte and Corporate Board Member magazine. The survey of 220 directors at U.S. companies with $1 billion or more in revenue highlights the board’s growing role in oversight of corporate responsibility and sustainability (CR&S). Despite the current economic environment the board’s role is undoubtedly increasing as there is greater awareness of the business risks and opportunities associated with corporate responsibility, sustainability and climate change. The perfect storm of emerging regulations, increased requirements for reporting and transparency, heightened pressure from investors, energy price volatility and market demands for green products and technologies is driving CR&S as a business imperative.
You would have to have had your head stuck in the sand to not be aware of the intense interest that the environment holds in today’s political and social debates. While candidates of all generations have begun evaluating potential employers based on their “greenness,” few in recruiting have leveraged this hot topic in recruitment communications and activities. For some unaccountable reason, recruiting managers and leaders almost universally fail to implement a process that regularly discovers “job switch” decision criteria used by the best and brightest, and this latest oversight is nothing more than history repeating itself once again.
According to a new study conducted by the American Marketing Association and Fleishman-Hillard, Inc., nearly one in six (58%) corporate marketers and communicators think their organizations will increase involvement in environmental sustainability initiatives over the next two to three years, and half believe the economy will actually encourage the adoption of sustainable practices.
The Kresge Foundation has announced a new comprehensive grantmaking programs: The Environment Program. With the announcement of this new program, the foundation is expanding its commitment and narrowing its focus in each field for maximum long-term impact in its strategic areas of interest. The Environment Program addresses environment-related social issues, particularly those affecting minority, low-income, and other underserved communities. The Environment Program seeks to have tangible effects on the practices and policies associated with climate change and environmental sustainability. The programs are in the development stage; program teams will be refining their grantmaking focus and strategy over the next year.
Green Restaurant Association (GRA) is a 19-year-old international, non-profit organization with the mission of creating environmental sustainability in the restaurant industry. The position goal is to expand the number of companies working with the Green Restaurant Association. This position is responsible for communicating the business benefits of becoming a Certified Green Restaurant® to restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. He/she fields calls and emails from interested restaurants from around the world; and he/she outreaches to restaurants in all 50 states through phone, email, mail, association meetings, trade shows, etc. All efforts of sales and membership development have the goal of signing contracts with individual restaurants, chains, and restaurant groups. Once the contracts are signed, the restaurant becomes the responsibility of another GRA team member who helps them implement the environmental changes.
