Event - Risky Business: Empowering People with Environmental Information

This event will take place on November 27, 2013, 08:30 - 16:40 at the Institution of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street, London, UK. Risky Business: Empowering People with Environmental Information brings you the most up-to-date information on legislation and regulation that affects environmental due diligence.

Expert speakers from all areas of the field will provide an insight into the current landscape and recent developments within the industry whilst providing practical guidance to ensure you are doing all you can to help your clients and yourself.

Risky Business provides a forum for delegates to question key industry decision makers on recent hot topics affecting the industry and network with colleagues from other environmental and property businesses.

Speakers and Subjects

• Peter Atchison (PAGeotechnical Ltd): Chair
• Jonathan Davis (Jonathan Davis Wealth Management): Macroeconomic outlook for UK economy / commercial property
• Hugh Mallett (Buro Happold Ltd): Brownfield First! Or the "Dash for grass". Implications of the NPPF on the redevelopment of land affected by contamination
• Peter Warman (Ground-Gas Solutions): Ground-gas: Best practices in monitoring techniques
• Les White (Aeris Europe): European Air Quality: Where from here and what might it mean for European businesses? Simon Cooke (6 Alpha): "Bombs Away" - Understanding UXO Risks
• Nicholas Willenbrock (CL:AIRE): The uptake and benefits of using the CL:AIRE Definition of Waste: Code of Practice (DoWCoP) and its future development
• Justin Butler (Ambiental): Keeping Your Clients Afloat - how flooding is impacting commercial property and business sustainability
• Andrew Wiseman (Harrison Grant Solicitors): Legal Issues - an update
• Caroline McCaffrey (Land Quality Management Ltd): Sustainability: Beyond risk based land management?

Who Should Attend

Environmental consultants, civil engineers, planning professionals, contractors, technology vendors, local authorities, contaminated land professionals.

Why Attend

The latest hot topics affecting the industry will be discussed by key industry leading figureheads. The event provides a networking arena between industry peers and key figure heads. Gain practical guidance and expert advice on contaminated land treatment. Question and answer sessions at the end of each presentation, giving delegates the opportunity to probe the industry experts and debate important issues.

To register click here.

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Training Seminar - NJDEP Air Compliance & Enforcement (ACE)

NJDEP Air Compliance & Enforcement (ACE) Training/Outreach Seminar will take place on October 9, 2013, 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Jersey Forensic Science Technology Center, 1200 Negron Drive, Hamilton, NJ. This training will provide information on multiple air pollution topics. The event will begin with a brief update on current efforts within our Air program, followed by an update on the new General Permits. The event will continue with an overview of the Non-Technical Amendment, and how one goes about completing and submitting the form. Do the terms NOV, AONOCAPA, ACO have you confused? We will also provide an overview of all Enforcement Documents.

The morning will wrap up with a presentation on applicable regulations and requirements for area source emergency generators. In the afternoon we will be focusing on electronic reporting which will include a presentation from the Bureau of Technical Services as well as a step by step instructional on submitting reports through the NJDEP Online Portal for General Permits, Annual combustion Adjustments and Title V Reports. The day will conclude with a question and answer session. Seating is limited.

Click here to register.

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Event - Standards Benefiting Indian Businesses

Standards Benefiting Indian Businesses is an event by the International Standards Certifications (ISC). This event will take place on Thursday, 24 October 2013 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (IST) in New Delhi, India.

With the rapid expansion of India’s SME sector, an expansion of India’s certification programs (including all structural changes across ISO 2700, ISO 27001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001) will present enormous challenges and opportunities for both the Indian Government and Indian businesses alike.

Key-Note speakers will address:

• How SME’s in the EU have benefited from International & European standards
• The benefits of accredited certification to Indian Businesses & new Government initiatives
• How to secure your information assets
• Modular approach in auditor training + local success stories in certification

Speakers Include:

• Elena Santiago Cid, Director General, CEN/CENELEC
• Ross Wraight, IFAN President & ISC CEO • Vishwadeep Khatri, CEO, Benchmark Six Sigma
• Atul Bahl, National Accreditation Board of Ceftification Bodies (NABCB)
• Krishna Datta- FSMS Expert • Sudarshan Mandyam- ISMS Expert • Local success stories

To register click here.

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DOE to Revise Commercial Energy Efficiency Standards

The Department of Energy (DOE) will revise commercial energy efficiency standards for metal halide lamps, commercial refrigeration equipment, walk-in coolers/freezers and electric motors in 2014. This move is expected to lower pollution and save $3.8 billion by 2035.

The specific timetables are as follows:

• Metal halide lamps - January 2014
• Commercial refrigeration - February 2014
• Walk-in coolers and freezers - April 2014
• Electric motors - May 2014

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), these revisions will cut air, water and climate change pollution while saving businesses and consumers an estimated $156 million per month. The ACEEE estimates that the new energy efficiency standards will reduce climate change causing pollution by 26 million metric tons annually and reduce smog, soot and acid rain.

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Webinar - Learn how C2Cv3 + LEEDv4 add up!

At this webinar participants will learn how C2Cv3 + LEEDv4 add up. Intended for environmentally-conscious designers and architects, LEED® v4 has been approved and is making its debut at Greenbuild 2013.

By breaking down the above equation you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM program and learn how points can be earned for a LEED® v4 project by using C2C CertifiedCM products like Construction Specialties offers.

This is a free live webinar approved by AIA & IDCEC and presented by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

This is a 60-minute live webinar, eligible for 1 HSW/DS/LU.

TWO DATES:
August 20 at 12:00 pm PDT / 3:00 pm EDT
August 22 at 9:00 am PDT / 12:00 pm EDT

To register click here. building, construction, renovation, retrofit, build, architecture, engineering, environment, better, emissions, GHGs, pollution, improvement, superior,

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ISO Revisions Seek Overarching Guidance on 14001 Environmental Management Systems and Other ISO Standards

Revisions are being undertaken in ISO 14001 in order to create an overarching format in conformity with Annex SL (previously ISO Guide 83) which defines the framework for a generic management system. This new guidance is holistic and is intended to end conflicts, duplication, confusion and misunderstanding from different MSS management systems. Since being issued in 1996 and then revised in 2004, the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems standard has been adopted by more than 250,000 organizations around the world.

Annex SL, is described as a “high level structure and identical text for management system standards and common core management system terms and definitions.” Annex SL offers overarching guidance on ISO management system standards (MSS). It is intended to help explain how different standards fit together with minimum redundancy. Annex SL offers a common format, structure and core requirements for ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and ISO 50001.

ISO's goal in revising its standards is to conform to Annex SL so that standards share a common format. However this is no easy feat as consensus is required from all 130 participating countries. All new ISO MSS will adhere to this framework and all current MSS will migrate at their next revision. In future all ISO MSS should be consistent and compatible.

The ISO Technical Committee (TC) 207 has started the process of revising ISO 14001, with a target of issuing a Final Version in 2015.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Event - Summit on Private Environmental Governance (Eco-labels and Seals)

The Summit on Private Environmental Governance will take place on Monday, June 10, 2013 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. The Summit on Private Environmental Governance engages stakeholders across Industries. This unique conference initiates dialogues on eco-labels and seals. Consumers and companies alike are overwhelmed by an explosion of eco-labels in the marketplace. Industry fragmentation, consumer confusion and a lack of consensus over criteria for sustainability threaten to hamper the sustainability initiatives of businesses and erode consumer trust.

On Monday, June 10, the Advertising Self-Regulatory Council and Environmental Law Institute will present a first-of-its-kind conference: A Summit on Private Environmental Governance. The Summit will initiate a dialogue among stakeholders about the legal issues taking shape amid emerging private environmental governance. The Summit will explore how sustainability initiatives, standard-setting, consumer protection and competition law work together in this important and rapidly developing area. There currently are more than 400 standards.

Deborah Platt Majoras, the Chief Legal Officer at consumer products giant Procter & Gamble Company, will keynote the event. Ms. Majoras is a former chairman of the Federal Trade Commission.

Panels

- The Emergence and Implications of Private Environmental Governance
- Supply Chain Management, Contracting and Enforcement
- Best Practices for Voluntary Standards
- Navigating the Intersection between Private Governance and Environmental Law
- Avoiding a Red Card with Green Claims and Labels.

Who Should Attend

Summit content is geared toward the needs and interests of sustainability professionals, in-house attorneys, marketing executive, non-governmental organizations - including third-party certifiers, trade associations and environmental groups; government agencies and academics.

Advertising Industry Self-Regulation

The Advertising Self-Regulatory Council establishes the policies and procedures for advertising industry self-regulation, including the National Advertising Division (NAD), Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU), National Advertising Review Board (NARB), Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program (ERSP) and Online Interest-Based Advertising Accountability Program (Accountability Program.) The self-regulatory system is administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

According to the event organizer self-regulation is good for consumers. The self-regulatory system monitors the marketplace, holds advertisers responsible for their claims and practices and tracks emerging issues and trends. Self-regulation is good for advertisers. Rigorous review serves to encourage consumer trust; the self-regulatory system offers an expert, cost-efficient, meaningful alternative to litigation and provides a framework for the development of a self-regulatory to emerging issues.

For more information or to register click here.

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White Paper & Case Study: Environmental Compliance Theory and Practice

Keeping up with EH&S news and regulations is not an easy task. Yes, you can read a news article every now and then or watch a webinar but making the transition from a theoretical concept to real life application and putting it all together can be a challenge.

This White Paper & Case Study (E-book) presents environmental compliance theory side by side with real life case studies. It gives the reader access to the latest best practices in Environmental Compliance and Sustainability management:

• Air Emissions record keeping, reporting, integration and management
• Systems integration
• Cloud computing
• Data management and preservation

Plus, learn how companies such as American Electric Power, Fujifilm, Los Angeles World Airports, Koch, NCRA, Patriot Coal and many more have successfully implemented these concepts into their organization.

Click here to complete the form and download the white paper and case study ebook.

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Video - Cradle to Cradle: Certifying Products to Create the Future We Want for Our Children

The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute was created to bring about a large scale transformation in the way things are made. Cradle to Cradle (C2C) provides third party certification of products, they are working to create a future of abundance for our children. In this video they ask the question "how soon will you join them" the answer must be "now." C2C endeavors to provide a new standard of quality around the world. It has five levels of certification that begins with Basic. The other levels are Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

They offer certication in five categories:

• Material Health 
• Material Re-utilization 
• Renewable Energy Use 
• Water Stewardship 
• Social Fairness

These five attributes drive innovation, they differentiate, growing and increasing the profits of those that make them. Cradle to Cradle isthe new standards of quality.

For more information click here.

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EPA Chief Forced Out By Dirty Industries and Anti-Environment Republicans

Late in December, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson announced that she will be stepping down after a little less than four years in the job. From the outset Jackson, a chemical engineer, was plagued by conservative critics who did not want the EPA to play a prominent role in environmental protection. Jackson was repeatedly and ruthlessly criticized by Republicans and industry groups for her efforts to protect the health of Americans and reduce the country's contribution to climate change. Given that environmental protection is at the core of the EPA's mandate, their opposition illustrates, yet again, the GOPs anti-environment agenda. It also illustrates how industry controls the Republican party.

Republican resistance to Jackson was due to her brave leadership on issues like the Keystone XL pipeline, greenhouse gas regulations, and power plant emissions reduction. To her credit Jackson did not relent in the face of tireless efforts from House Republicans to undermine the EPA's power.

The GOP chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Fred Upton, had been very vocal about his resistance to her efforts and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney went so far as to call for her firing.

In a statement Jackson quoted President Obama when he addressed EPA employees earlier this year. ‘You help make sure the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat are safe. You help protect the environment not just for our children but their children. And you keep us moving toward energy independence...We have made historic progress on all these fronts."

During her tenure Jackson did succeed on many fronts including reigning in toxic mercury. She established historic fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks (new vehicles must average 54.5 mpg, up from 28.6 mpg). Jackson also set up critical air quality protections against sulfur dioxide and soot pollution.

“In her four years as EPA Administrator, Lisa has been a steadfast advocate for clean air, clean water, a stable climate and public health—often in the face of very vocal and forceful detractors. With her leadership, our country has made a big down payment on its goals to reduce carbon pollution. Millions of Americans will breathe easier and have access to safe, clean water,” said Michael Brune, Sierra Club’s executive director.

President Obama thanked Jackson for serving and praised her "unwavering commitment" to the public's health. "Under her leadership, the EPA has taken sensible and important steps to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink, including implementing the first national standard for harmful mercury pollution, taking important action to combat climate change under the Clean Air Act and playing a key role in establishing historic fuel economy standards that will save the average American family thousands of dollars at the pump, while also slashing carbon pollution."

Jackson realized that action on climate change would be difficult after watching the Democrat controlled Senate shoot down a cap-and-trade bill in 2009. In 2012 clean-air regulation aimed at reducing smog failed to get the support it needed as did efforts to control toxic coal ash.

Despite setbacks Jackson has done a great deal in the service of the health and well being of Americans.

"I will leave the EPA confident the ship is sailing in the right direction, and ready in my own life for new challenges, time with my family and new opportunities to make a difference," Jackson said in a statement.

In the face of harsh criticism Jackson showed the kind of leadership that is woefully absent on the political level. Although she failed to explain the reason for her departure, it may very well be that she is leaving because of the vehement opposition of industry and the GOP undermine the EPA's ability to get things done. Like Van Jones and others, Jackson may very well be a causality of Republican pressure.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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GHG Protocol and Scope 3 Accounting and Reporting Standard

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is the most widely used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions. A decade-long partnership between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the GHG Protocol is working with businesses, governments, and environmental groups around the world to build a new generation of credible and effective programs for tackling climate change. It serves as the foundation for nearly every GHG standard and program in the world - from the International Standards Organization to The Climate Registry - as well as hundreds of GHG inventories prepared by individual companies.

The GHG Protocol also offers developing countries an internationally accepted management tool to help their businesses to compete in the global marketplace and their governments to make informed decisions about climate change.

The Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard allows companies to assess their entire value chain emissions impact and identify the most effective ways to reduce emissions. Often, the majority of total corporate emissions come from scope 3 sources, which means many companies have been missing out on significant opportunities for improvement.

“The new Corporate Value Chain Standard provides a much needed harmonized global methodology for businesses to measure value chain greenhouse gas emissions. Our road test of the new Scope 3 standard provides us with key data to drive our strategic business decisions regarding greenhouse gas reductions. We encourage other businesses to similarly employ this effective method to measure, and subsequently address, greenhouse gas emissions from the entire value chain."

- Kelly Semrau, Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs, Communication and Sustainability, S.C. Johnson

“Our work with the GHG Protocol was instrumental in guiding our first efforts towards environmental footprinting. In 2010 Kraft Foods participated in the GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard ‘road test’. Our Scope 3 inventory results are the backbone that informed our future footprint work. For GHG Protocol, the feedback from Kraft Foods informed the final Scope 3 standard WRI will be launching around the world this October.”

- Dan Pettit, Associate Director of Sustainability for Research Development & Quality at Kraft Foods

Users of the new standard can now account for emissions from 15 categories of scope 3 activities, both upstream and downstream of their operations. The scope 3 framework also supports strategies to partner with suppliers and customers to address climate impacts throughout the value chain.

The Corporate Value Chain Standard has been created through a broad, inclusive, multi-stakeholder process. Over a three year period 2,300 participants were involved from 55 countries; 96 members participated in technical working groups to draft the standard, and 34 companies from various industries road tested the standard in 2010.

The new standards provide a methodology that can be used to account for and report emissions from companies of all sectors, globally. They are accompanied by user-friendly guidance and tools developed by the GHG Protocol.

“We believe that by adopting the same standards, we can move ahead faster with confidence to tackle product emissions. CGF represents more than 400 members in the Consumer Goods Sector with annual sales of more than $3 trillion.”

- Jeff Rice, Director Sustainability Walmart, Co-leading the Consumer Goods Forum work

Click here to download GHG Protocol (Print Version (PDF), 149 pages, 7.3 Mb)

Click here to download (E-Reader Version (PDF), 154 pages, 7.0 Mb)

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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CSA Standards for Sustainable Events

In 2010, CSA Standards, a leading standards-based solutions organization, introduced standards for use by event organizers seeking to plan and execute sustainable events. A sustainable event entails incorporating considerations of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of hosting an event into all areas of event planning and management.

When organizing a sustainable event, the overarching goal for an organization is to maximize the value and experience of the event while striving to support a high quality of life, environmental health, and economic prosperity.

The principles of a sustainable event include: ethical behaviour, accountability, and transparency; engagement of the community and local stakeholders; positive benefits for the environment and society; accessible and inclusive setting; safe and secure atmosphere and facilities for spectators, participants, and workers; excellent customer/client experience; and a positive legacy.

“Implementing this standard will help to make an event more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable in an ethical and transparent manner,” says Bonnie Rose, President, CSA Standards. Where all applicable requirements specified in the standard are implemented, event organizers may use conformance to support public claims of greater sustainability.

The CSA Z2010-10 Requirements and guidance for organizers of sustainable events standard integrates the management and sustainability practices recommended by a number of sources into a practical application for a wide variety of cultural, business, and sporting events and festivals.

“Sustainable development is broad and means different things to different people. With Z2010, emphasis is placed on an integrated approach that addresses stakeholders’ interests, regulatory requirements as well as environmental, social and economic impacts and opportunities throughout the life-cycle of an event,” says Ann Duffy, Technical Committee Chair and former Corporate Sustainability Officer, VANOC. “By minimizing negative impacts on the environment, augmenting the positive benefits, and creating positive legacies for present and future generations, this standard will help event organizers plan and execute events.”

The Z2010 standard was built on the work of The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) and the VANOC Sustainability Management and Reporting System (SMRS) and the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology’s (AISTS) Sustainable Sport and Event Toolkit – a collaboration with VANOC.

The standard’s requirements and guidance for leadership, planning, operations, employee and supplier engagement, communications and reporting are particularly relevant for medium and large scale events – though it can be scaled for small event organizers, as well. Z2010 is consistent with international norms of behaviour. In this context, environmental concerns include the natural surroundings in which an organization operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, and people, as well as their interrelationships. Social and economic concerns include labour practices, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development.

The Z2010-10 requirements and guidance for organizers of sustainable events (PDF) costs $79 (CAD) and is available at their website or by calling 800-463-6727.

© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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ISO 50001 Podcast Series

These exclusive ISO 50001 podcasts feature expert panelists Ed Pinero, the Chairman of the ISO 50001 Technical Committee and Carolyn Campbell, LRQA Energy Management Expert.

The Forgotten Fuel Source
The Importance of ISO 50001

For more information on ISO 50001 Certification to gain greater visibility and control of your energy resources click here (pdf).

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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The Importance of ISO 50001 On Demand Webinar

In this webinar, international energy management experts discuss how ISO 50001 provides organizations with a harmonized and consistent methodology for identifying and implementing improvements to:

• Increase energy efficiency
• Reduce cost
• Improve energy performance

The webinar features expert panelists Ed Pinero, the Chairman of the ISO 50001 Technical Committee and Carolyn Campbell, LRQA Energy Management Expert.

The webinar covers the following:

• Why and how ISO 50001 was developed
• Benefits and advantages of ISO 50001
• Organizational drivers of energy management
• Link between ISO 14001 and ISO 50001
• Steps to integration with other standards
• Approach to certification

To gain access to the webinar click here.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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ISO Sustainable Buildings Standards

Sustainable and environmentally friendly buildings are the leading edge in building design today. To achieve a high level of building sustainability in an efficient and effective manner requires the integration of the best management system standards available. Integrated management systems will ensure that we have the capacity to produce more sustainable buildings and ISO 26000 provides a useful set of guidelines.

The initial standards and models that addressed elements of social responsibility (SR) include OHSAS 18001 for Health and Safety and most important ISO 14001, the environmental management standard. The systematic ISO 14001:2004 approach requires that organizations take a hard look at all areas where its activities have an environmental impact.

There are now more than 1 million certified ISO 9001 organizations in 176 countries and 200,000 certified to ISO 14001 in 155 countries. (ISO) With this increased application of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001, the traditional approach of operating quality, environmental, health, and safety management systems independently began to give way to an integrated approach. The key advantage of the integration of these management systems is the synergy created, resulting in increased efficiency and effectiveness in the management of organizations.

Other related building standards can also be integrated including:

• ISO/TS 21929-1:2006 Sustainability in Building Construction–Sustainability Indicators
• ISO 21930:2007 Sustainability in Building Construction–Environmental Declaration of Building Products
• ISO 16813:2006 Building Environmental Design–Indoor Environment, General Principles
• ISO 15686-3:2002 Buildings and Constructed Assets–Service Life Planning

The full integration of these ISO standards in building planning, design, construction, use, improvement, maintenance, and eventual demolition. This life cycle needs to be considered in conjunction with society, the environment, and the users/occupants, owners, and builders. There is a standard for each step in the process. These steps are complementary and when aligned they create efficiencies. The issues of gaining input from the community, evaluating the environmental impact, communicating with stakeholders, driving continuous improvement, and tracking corrective and preventive actions at all levels of the project can be supported by the infrastructure of these standards.

These ISO standards can be implemented on a single project or the can be implemented within organizations to create a consistent and seamless supply chain.

Clause 5.3.4 Global Thinking and Local Action in ISO 15392 connects to ISO 26000 when it states, “The building and construction sector is highly important for sustainable development because it has a significant interface with poverty reduction through the basic economic and social services provided in the built environment and the potential opportunities for the poor to be engaged in construction, operation, and design.”

Clause 5.3.2 Continual Improvement in ISO 15392 again makes the connection to ISO 9001 when it states, “This principle encompasses the improvement of all aspects of sustainability related to the built environment including the buildings and other construction works over time. It includes the performance of construction works as well as processes, and addresses means of assessment, verification, monitoring, and communication.”

ISO/FDIS 26000 clause 2.18 states that SR is the “responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its
decisions and activities on society and the environment through transparent and ethical behavior that contributes to sustainable development including health and the welfare of society; takes into account the expectations of stakeholders; is in compliance with applicable law and consistent with international norms of
behavior; and is integrated throughout the organization.”

In ISO/FDIS 26000 clause 2.23, sustainable development is considered to be meeting “the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Baldrige sees very similarly sustainability as “your organization’s ability to address current business needs and to

As new technologies become more efficient with regard to to environmental and energy issues, we also need to focus on improving how we manage the planning, design, and construction processes. This will translate into sustainability in regard to how effectively and efficiently the planning and building processes are conducted, resulting in saving time and money and ultimately increasing our ability to build more sustainable and environmentally friendly buildings.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Benefits of The ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard

The ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard defines how executives can establish an energy management plan for their organization. A recent article in CSEMag.com outlines the three factors that make the ISO 50001 Energy Management Standard so appealing to organizations. They are as follows:

1. ISO 50001 is applicable to any size and type of organization in any country and to every type of building using any type of energy from any source. And, it’s designed to be integrated with organizational policies and practices already in place—so organizations do not have to reinvent themselves around energy management.

2. ISO 50001 adopters can self-certify or undergo a third-party audit, which supports small companies that can’t afford the audits, and enables the larger companies to boast their certifications. And, the ISO brand is regarded highly all over the world. This isn’t yet another new standard by yet another new organization nudging its way into the crowded green scene.

3. ISO 50001 is supported by the U.S. EPA Energy Star program and the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE). EPA and DOE will release tool kits in October 2011 to help organizations adopt ISO 50001, and the standard is being embedded in overarching programs, such as the Superior Energy Performance program for manufacturers.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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ISO Campus 14001 Training: Environmental Safety

ISO 14001 is the Environment Management Standard (EMS) and sets requirements for implementing, maintaining and improving an environmental management system, and ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations. In today’s global marketplace it is essential to maintain a consistent standard of quality in manufacturing, management, environmental safety, and employee safety in order for a business to be and stay successful.

ISO 14000 certification courses cover the “environmental” aspects of the ISO standard and will educate and prepare your organization to implement and maintain this internationally-recognized standard.

ISO 14000 certification courses can assist your business in preparing for certification while bringing your employees up to speed on what ISO standards are and why they’re important.

ISO 14000 Certification Offers:

• 100% online courses written by experts
• 24/7 customer support
• Learn on YOUR schedule: stop and start as often as you like
• Corporate discounts available
• Top-notch LMS to drive corporate training efforts included
• Become prepared to gain ISO certification
• Learn how to uphold standards after they have been implemented

Courses

• Introduction to ISO 14000 ($25.00)
• ISO 14001:2004 – Overview and Implementation ($169.95)
• ISO 14001:2004 Environment Management System Certified Auditor Training ($169.95)

For more information or to register go to the ISO Campus.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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ISO Standards and Greener Vehicles

ISO is working to support cleaner cars because they understand that the future is about fuel-efficient, low or no emission vehicles. ISO standards for the automotive industry cover environmental considerations but they also cover things like safety, ergonomics, performance, test methods, and the roll-out of innovative technologies. These standards help to make new automotive technologies ecological, efficient, safe and effective.

Standards are being adapted to the new challenges of battery electric vehicles (BEV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). These new standards cover issues like safety from electric hazards, on-board rechargeable energy store systems and protection against failures.

The ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have reached an updated agreement concerning the standardization of road vehicles. The Agreement Concerning the Standardization of Road Vehicles improves cooperation on standards for electric vehicles and automotive electronics. As revealed in the agreement, ISO is helping to plug these technologies into the electricity supply infrastructure, also known as the grid.

ISO 15118 deals with the interface between electric vehicles and the grid, including communication links and protocols.

ISO committes are currently working on standards for electric vehicles and extensions of existing standards. A committe known as ISO/TC 22 is developing standards for electric vehicles and the extension of ISO 6469 seeks to ensure the safe handling of electric vehicles.

Also under development is ISO 12405, which provides test specifications for lithium-Ion traction battery systems.

ISO is providing an internationally recognized approach that will help to further the growth of greener vehicles.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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ISO 14001 Certification in the Solar Sector

A number of green companies have sought ISO 14001 environmental management certification including those associated with solar power.

Satelite solar panel maker AXT Inc. is committed to environmental protection and positive corporate citizenship. In 2006, they were certified as ISO 14001:2004.

A German manufacturer of photo-voltaics known as Q-Cells, is also ISO certified. The company earned ISO 9001:2000 certification and ISO 14001:2004 certification. Q-Cells is the world`s second largest maker of PV cells, after Sharp of Japan.

The Swiss connector manufacturer, Multi-Contact, which provides electrical connectors to the photovoltaic industry, recently achieved DIN ISO 14001 certification. The company uses resource saving MC Multilam Technology. With the MC3 and MC4 connector systems, Multi-Contact is leading in the Photovoltaic sector worldwide. With successful ISO 14001 certification the company has strengthened its sustainable positioning.

With the help of ISO certifcation, companies in the solar sector are integrating ecology into their management, processes and practices.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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The Implications of ISO 50001 for Your Business

To help businesses understand the implications of the new energy oriented ISO series, GreenBiz.com gathered a panel of energy and sustainability executives for a webinar titled, "ISO 50001: Preparing for the New Energy Management Standard."

The business community is increasingly adopting sustainable practices to decrease costs, reduce environmental impacts and add value. Energy management is central to these efforts. According to panelists Bill Allemon, vice president of Energy Management Services at ARCADIS U.S. what distinguishes the new ISO standard is its reach and range.

Other panelists include Don Macdonald, director of Sustainability Business Development of UL DQS Inc., and Kelly Smith, Global Energy and Sustainability program manager for Johnson Controls Inc.. The discussion was moderated by GreenBiz Executive Editor Joel Makower.

Allemon said, "the standard gives you the tools and basics, and if you want to, you can go all the way to certification." Smith of Johnson Controls noted that the standard can be applied to a single facility or building within a company and be used across an organization.ISO 50001 provides a systematic comprehensive approach for continuous improvement and an emphasis on performance management which are essential for development of sustainable organizations, Macdonald said."Energy is a corporation's 'currency,' " said Macdonald, pointing to a failure to value energy as organizational currency as a key barrier to improving energy management. Other barriers he cited include:

-Absence of continuous monitoring, metrics and performance management.
-Initial costs more important than recurring costs.
-Disconnect between capital and operating budgets.
-Immature sustainability culture.
-Shareholder focus on production rather than efficient use of resources.
-Failure to embed deep process quality management systems in an organization.

The panelists' presentations and their discussion are available in a GreenBiz webinar which can be downloaded free with registration.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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