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Engaging Boards of Directors on Sustainability is a Key Success Factor

November 24, 2016 Add Comment Edit

Boards of directors can play an invaluable role helping a company to inculcate sustainability into their DNA. Because of their unique position, boards of directors are well placed to integrate sustainability into business strategies and practices. This supports both the long-term profitability and the viability of an enterprise.

However, there is a disconnect between what is good for a firm and what they are actually doing. Most boards of directors are not engaged in sustainability even though almost all managers and directors think they should be.

Benefits
Companies that have engaged boards of directors are more than twice as likely to successfully accomplish their sustainability initiatives. Sustainability has become a mainstream phenomenon and benefits of sustainability have been well documented. This includes a plethora of research that demonstrates strong ROI. While success is correlated with companies where colloboration was supported by boards, the success rate is cut in half when company boards where not involved.

Failure to engage

Despite the benefits, many boards of directors are not getting involved in sustainability. The disconnect between what is good for a company and what they are actually doing represents a missed opportunity. Research conducted by MIT Sloan Management Review, The Boston Consulting Group and the UN Global Compact, indicates that 87 percent of managers and executives think boards of directors should be engaged in sustainability yet the research suggests that only 10 percent are actually engaged. An annual report from The Conference Board titled CEO Challenge suggests that CEOs are not turning to their boards of directors to address sustainability challenges.

Collaboration

Almost all managers and executives (9 out of 10) say that sustainability requires collaboration. According to these executives and managers, collaboration serves reputation and brand building, innovative products and services and the transformation of markets towards sustainability. Collaboration between companies, workers, governments, civil society, investors, and academia can augur a range of societal benefits including putting pressure on suppliers to develop a responsible global supply chain.

Antidote to short termism

One of the problems associated with sustainability is the failure to lay out a long-term strategic view. Getting boards of directors to engage with sustainability enables a company to develop long-term` strategic thinking. This includes longer term forecasting, planning, and preparation. It also enables companies to do a better job of zeroing in on risks and opportunities. Together this contributes to a focus on long term success.

Take-away

The take-away is clear, boards of directors should be given explicit oversight of sustainability issues and boards need to allocate time to sustainability issues. It is also highly desirable to have board members with expertise in the sustainability particularly those areas that are most material to the company.

Resources

Two years ago the UN Global Compact launched a program to help "move sustainability issues from the backroom to the boardroom". This program is tailored to the needs of the individual company and delivered in-house by a roster of international experts.

The UN Global Compact Program helps Boards to:

Align on the strategic imperative and materiality of corporate sustainability as critical for the company’s long-term viability
Realize the integral role that Board members can and should play in overseeing, incentivizing and driving corporate sustainability, by embedding it into Board duties, composition and structure
Take action to demonstrate leadership on Board adoption and oversight of corporate sustainability with investors, employees, customers and other stakeholders

For more information and strategic guidance consult the following documents from the UN Global Compact:

Joining Forces: Collaboration and Leadership for Sustainability
A New Agenda for the Board of Directors: Adoption and Oversight of Corporate Sustainability
Corporate Sustainability: An Important Agenda for Boards Of Directors

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2016 Corporate Sustainability Leaders
The Business Case for Sustainability
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Event - The Sustainability Summit 2017

November 20, 2016 Add Comment Edit

This Summit will take place on March 23-24, 2017 in London. What does COP21 and the push for greater environmental sustainability mean for business? The Sustainability Summit will bring together key thinkers, policymakers and business leaders, who will deliver strategies, ideas and solutions to decision makers, helping them to turn challenges into new opportunities and prepare for the future.

The issue of sustainability is a multifaceted one, and cannot be tackled by policy alone; international business must also rise to the challenge of reversing the damage that we have wrought on our environment. But how can businesses evolve and develop their practices to improve their footprint? Is it possible to make adjustments that have a net positive impact on revenue? And what are the challenges that multinational companies face in implementing such changes across borders?

In March 2016, The Economist Events’ Sustainability Summit in London delivered an alarming prognosis: adapt or die. This year we will be evaluating progress and the scalability of sustainability initiatives while asking the crucial question: what does COP21 and the push for greater environmental sustainability mean for business? Bringing together key thinkers, policymakers and business leaders the Sustainability Summit will deliver strategies, ideas and solutions to decision makers, helping them to turn challenges into new opportunities and prepare for the future.

Speakers

Bob Collymore
Chief Executive Officer, Safaricom

Daniel Franklin
Executive Editor,
Editor The Economist

Helen Hai
Chief Executive Officer,
Made in Africa

Miranda Johnson
Environment Correspondent
The Economist

Greg Lowe Global
Head of Resilience and Sustainability,
Aon

Jeremy Oppenheim
Programme Director,
Business and Sustainable Development Commission

Steve Waygood
Chief Responsible Investment Officer,
Aviva Investors

Mark Wilson
Chief Executive Officer,
Aviva

Why attend? Questions that will be answered

What steps can we take to break the prevailing short-termism which dominates the markets and begin to act with an eye to the future? How can policy-makers better address market failings and encourage a move toward a circular economy? In what ways do our current, global regulatory frameworks account for climate change? How can we leverage the capital markets and big business to create a more sustainable economy? Where should investors direct their capital in order to make the biggest impact? From source to shelf, how can businesses take better stock of natural capital and ensure resource efficiency all the way across their supply chains? Could technological innovation provide some of the solutions we need to deliver sustainable growth? And, how can we scale the green tech that already exists? How can we further the social components of the SGDs and create a more inclusive marketplace around the world?

Attendees will

Network with more than 200 international leaders from business, finance and government Make connections with those at the forefront of the sustainability effort and discover new opportunities for cross-border and cross-sectoral collaboration
Shape the evolving dialogue on sustainability and share ideas with decision-makers and innovators
Get to grips with practical steps businesses are taking to scale-up action and create the swift change we need to realise the transition to a two degree world
Gain a fresh perspective on sustainability as a value driver and differentiator for business and finance
Join the global effort to create an inclusive and environmentally sustainable marketplace

To register click here.

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How Sustainability has Become a Mainstream Phenomenon

November 01, 2016 Add Comment Edit

Sustainability programs are not just for forward-thinking international conglomerates they are now part of mainstream practices for business both large and small. The data has convincingly made the case that sustainability is good for business and managers are integrating it into their strategies in ever increasing numbers.

There are a number of good reasons why businesses are embracing sustainability. In 2015 sustainability reached a tipping point and in 2016 it has become obvious that sustainability is a 21st-century megatrend. We are even beginning to conceive of a post sustainability world.

At the end of last year leading businesses made carbon reduction pledges at COP21. US companies like Apple, Microsoft, Mars, Ikea and others filed legal briefs supporting President Obama's the Clean Power Plan and corporations are embracing renewable energy in unprecedented numbers. As a result, corporations are increasingly decoupling their growth from their emissions. They are also adopting science-based emissions reduction targets.

As reported by Environmental Leader, the Conference Board’s annual CEO Challenge survey, indicated that sustainability was considered to be among the top five global challenges. What makes this remarkable is the fact that this is the first time that sustainability has made it into the survey's top five.

The most recent UN Global Compact-Accenture CEO Study report finds that 70 percent of major corporate executives see climate change presenting growth opportunities for their company within the next five years. A 2014 McKinsey survey finds 43 percent of executives say their companies are looking to align sustainability with their overall business goals, up from 30 percent two years earlier.

In the 2016 State of Responsible Business Report, 71 percent of corporate/brand respondents said that their CEO is convinced of the value of sustainability. There has been and almost ten percent increase in execs who feel that sustainability is integrated tightly enough into broader business strategies. More than half of Apparel, FMCG and Manufacturing respondents said that they pay for external assistance with their sustainability strategy.

The ROI on sustainability is supported by a number of studies which demonstrate the business case for sustainability. Sustainability not only drives profits it also contributes to cost savings through efficiency. The ROI on sustainability is best illustrated by Unilever which has attributed half its growth to sustainability in 2015. Unilever is but one of many companies that have generated a billion dollars or more each year from sustainable products or services. Some of the other companies profiting from sustainability are General Electric, Ikea, Tesla, Chipotle, Nike, Toyota, Natura and Whole Foods.

This data leads to the common misconception that sustainability is only for the large corporate players and not for SMEs. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only do small businesses share in the responsibility to be better stewards, they must also address competitive pressures to promote their brand, increase revenues, and decrease costs.

There are a number of easy things that even small businesses can do that will decrease the net costs of their operations. From going paperless to reducing packaging, sustainability programs are for all businesses regardless of size. The single most important thing that any smart business must do is carefully scrutinize and manage their energy usage.

Adopting sustainability is no longer a choice it is a market dictate. In fact it is safe to say that businesses are thriving with sustainability and risk dying without it.

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Organizations and Individuals Coalesce for Action on Climate Change

October 01, 2014 Add Comment Edit

There is a powerful synergy building between grassroots activism and those who are working with governments and the private sector. The United Nations, companies, investors, activists, environmental groups and coalitions are coming together to call for action on climate change.

We saw the largest climate protest in human history on September 21, 2014. A total of 2,600 events took place in 166 countries around the world as part of a global call for action on Climate Change. In New York City, the People's Climate Events saw an estimated 400,000 people come together. This involved 1,576 organizations and hundreds of thousands of social media posts. From students to senior citizens, people of every age, ethnicity and ideology were represented at this march. This unprecedented event sent a clear message to leaders at the UN Climate Summit on September 23.

The importance of this march was eloquently summarized by EDF Sr. Vice President of Strategy and Communications Eric Pooley, who said, "This march shot down, once and for all, the old canard that Americans don't care about climate change. And it reminded me what an extremely big tent the coalition for climate action really is — with plenty of room for groups with vastly different views."

The 125 heads of state joined business and civic leaders assembled at the UN Climate Summit seemed to get the message as there was real progress not seen at previous summits. The business community joined investment groups and governments in making bold pledges for serious action that included everything from methane reduction to carbon pricing and forest preservation.

Whether taking to the streets and demanding change or working to address market shortcomings and government regulation, millions of people are coalescing to advance action on climate change.

Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp said, "both are absolutely essential to the climate solutions we need." Krupp went on to say, "a strong outside game needs to be complemented by a strong inside game. To translate people power into action, we need to develop policies and practices that will sharply reduce the greenhouse gas pollutants we’re pumping into our atmosphere."

As Krupp explained, "Moving the world away from carbon-based energy requires fundamentally changing the economic incentives in our system..."

To assist and support this effort a number of coalitions have been formed including, We Mean Business, Sustainability Charter, Ceres Declaration, and Global Divest-Invest. Some businesses have even pledged to transition entirely to renewable energy for Climate Week NY.

The diverse array of people and organizations that are coming together gives us reason to hope that we may see a global climate treaty in 2015.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Corporations Go 100% Renewable for Climate Week NYC

September 29, 2014 Add Comment Edit

During Climate Week NYC, corporations stepped forward with ambitious renewable energy plans. The business leaders that gathered in New York for Climate Week are working to encourage the corporate world to take meaningful action on climate change. As part of a campaign, called RE100, more than a dozen corporations made pledges to derive all of their power from renewable sources of energy in honor of Climate Week NYC.

The RE110 campaign encourages 100 of the world's largest businesses to commit to get all of their power from renewables by 2020. RE100 is convened by The Climate Group in partnership with CDP. RE100 is an action of the WE MEAN BUSINESS coalition.

As explained on RE100 website, "Accelerating the scale up of renewable energy will help us deliver a better, healthier more sustainable world for what will soon be 9 billion people. Renewable energy investment is also a smart business opportunity. In addition to providing clean power for a business, renewable energy investment can provide financial returns compatible with - and in some cases even higher than - other mainstream investment options."

Here is a list of the early signers (IKEA and Swiss Re were the founding sponsors):

BT
Commerzbank
FIA Formula E
H&M
IKEA
KPN
Mars
Nestle
Philips
Reed Elsevier
J. Safra Sarasin
Swiss Re
Yoox

"We decided on a 100 percent renewable power approach because as a leading wholesale provider of reinsurance and insurance we believe that tackling climate change while meeting the energy needs of a growing and developing world is an urgent matter. This can only be done by improving energy efficiency and switching to low carbon options including renewable energy sources," said Jurg Trub, head of environmental and commodity markets for Swiss Re.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Event - Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Development

September 28, 2014 Add Comment Edit

This event will take place on November 24 - 25, 2014 at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Development is subtitled "Building Prosperity through Economic, Social and Natural Capital." It will gather business leaders, NGOs and policy-makers from around the world to share practical solutions for sustainable growth and creating shared value with economic, social and natural capital. Topics discussed will include disruptive innovation, equitable growth, the sustainable supply chain, clean energy access, next-level integrated reporting and harnessing the natural assets of cities.

Agenda Topics Include

• Plastics, packaging & recycling
• Net positive workshop – A restorative approach to energy, water and forests
• Real solutions to transboundary haze – Finance, technology & small-holder farmers
• Inclusive business and the extractives sector

There will be be Keynote addresses by

1) Luisa Diogo, former Prime Minister, Mozambique & member, UN Secretary-Generals High-level Panel on Sustainable Development and
2)Peter Bakker, President, World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Discussion Panels

1. There will also be a discussion panel on disruptive innovation and new opportunities for equitable economic growth. While the global economy has soared to more than US$75 trillion nearly half the world population still lives on less than US$2 per day and the dream of equitable growth evades us. A radical change to our current economic model will be needed to deliver more equitable and inclusive growth. This panel of global thought leaders will explore how disruptive innovation can deliver economic growth that is both inclusive and sustainable.

2.Another discussion panel will address creating shared value and growth. This issue will be addressed in the context of a soaring global population demanding more from a planet with finite resources, consumers, suppliers, employees and governments are all expecting more from business. Creating shared value is a model for economic value creation that can simultaneously deliver positive social and environmental results, with new opportunities for growth and for business to deliver more. This panel will discuss a new, total impact approach for creating shared value across all stakeholders, for business, the environment and society.

3. A third panel discussion will address the business case for valuing natural capital. Two-thirds of our planet’s land and water systems have been significantly degraded due to human activity, creating $7.3 trillion in external environmental costs per year. As naturally produced goods and services are compromised or lost altogether, companies could experience supply chain disruptions, be forced to introduce costly alternatives to traditional inputs or face new regulatory and legal risks. This panel will discuss the rapidly growing movement for companies to place a monetary value on natural capital, and present the benefits for business to integrate this into risk management and decision-making.

4. A fourth discussion panel will address responsible business and creating social capital. The term social capital is often used to describe the relationships of trust between organisations and their stakeholders that can be economically valuable. Like economic or human capital, social capital enables us to create value and drive growth. This panel will discuss innovative stakeholder collaborations, the responsibility of business in tackling issues of human rights and how smart investment in social capital can benefit both business and civil society for a better future.

5. A fifth discussion panel will address the world’s most sustainable stock indexes launch. With the majority of the world’s largest companies now reporting key environmental metrics, and investors representing $45 trillion in assets signed up to the UN-sponsored Principles for Responsible Investment, corporate disclosure and investor interest around sustainability have crossed the Rubicon. The revolution in corporate sustainability disclosure and investment integration presents an opportunity to fix the feedback loop between companies and investors so that sustainability factors are given due consideration. This discussion will provide an around the world tour of sustainability disclosure trends followed by a discussion of how the revolution in corporate sustainability disclosure has opened up a new era for investors and corporations to work together to achieve impact at scale.

6. Responsible Business Parallel Sessions Sharing, learning and industry peer collaboration 1. Traceability and the sustainable supply chain 2. The business opportunities in waste and recycling 3. Next-level integrated reporting 4. Urbanization and smart system technologies 5. The future of zero emission transport in Asia 6. Collaborative education in developing and emerging markets

Responsible Business Working Groups

High-level working groups will bring together business leaders, NGOs and policy-makers from around Southeast Asia to agree on commitments and policy recommendations to increase sustainability across six sectors – agriculture & forestry, building & urban infrastructure consumer goods, financial services, renewable energy and shipping. Recommendations from these working groups will be presented to decision-makers and policy-makers at a series of regional meetings in 2014. Preparation for the working groups will begin with a series of webinars, one around each of the six sectors. Commitments and recommendations from businesses will then be drafted and later discussed, developed and decided on by delegates at the Forum in November. The working group Chair will moderate a panel discussion on the recommendations, followed by facilitated roundtable discussions with the participants.

Roundtables

1. Building and urban infrastructure Chair: Jessica Cheam, Founder & Editor, Eco-Business
2. Consumer goods Chair: Jon Johnson, Chairman and Academic Director, The Sustainability Consortium
3. Financial services Chair: Jessica Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, ASRIA
4. Food beverage and agriculture Chair: Tod Gimbel, Managing Director, Landmark Asia
5. Forestry Chair: Rodney Taylor, Director, Forests, WWF International
6. Renewable energy Chair: Nathaniel Bullard, Director of Content, Bloomberg New Energy Finance
7. Shipping Chair: Alastair Fishcbacher, Director, The Sustainable Shipping Initiative

For the speakers list, agenda and registration click here.

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Video - The Worldwide Charter for Fair International Commerce

September 27, 2014 Add Comment Edit

The Worldwide Charter for Fair International Commerce is free of charge project that has been developed by the International Businesses Standards Organization (IBSO) to be a code of conduct and a minimal set of universal principles for the international business community. This IBSO's initiative allows for participating organizations to formally proclaim their commitment to promote sustainable and positive business practices with respect to social and environmental values. Every Worldwide Charter for Fair International Commerce signatory have a right to use the Charter Signatory logo on site and in other advertising purposes and being listed in Catalogue on IBSO's official site.

For more information click here.

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The We Mean Business Coalition: Low Carbon Economics

September 26, 2014 Add Comment Edit

There are some powerful coalitions that are helping to make the case for a low carbon economy. One of those groups is the newly formed "We Mean Business" group. As they explain, climate change is not only a very serious threat it is a tremendous opportunity. They make the point that the business community is already feeling the impact of climate change and this is destined to get far worse if we continue with business as usual.

They enumerate the impacts of climate change which include damage to facilities, disruption of supply and distribution chains, threats to power supplies and global food and water resources. Climate change contributes to overall uncertainty to the marketplace thus increasing the cost of doing business.

In response to these threats companies need to "find new ways of doing business. The sooner this is accomplished, the less disruptive and more cost-effective the transition will be."

They show how companies can "unleash a wave of innovation in low carbon technologies, create new products and services, generate employment, reduce energy consumption and increase savings if the right policies are in place."

They also point to businesses which are contributing to solutions by setting ambitious targets, reporting emissions and scaling low carbon investments all of which are part of the clean industrial revolution.

The We Mean Business coalition advocates for the following five points by 2015:

1. A heightened sense of urgency by governments to stabilize emissions
2. Policies that encourage businesses to reduce their impact, including an elimination of fossil fuels subsidies; meaningful carbon pricing; an end to deforestation; robust energy-efficiency standards; support for scaling renewable energy; and trade incentives that encourage a low-carbon economy
3. Clearer long-term goals
4. More transparency and accountability related to climate issues
5. Public finance mechanisms to support investments in low-carbon and resilient infrastructure by the private sector

Their new report, THE CLIMATE HAS CHANGED (PDF), makes the point that a low carbon strategy makes good business sense. This report shows how forward-thinking companies all around the world are achieving strong financial returns and how policymakers can enable bolder action from the private sector. The report quantifies these efforts and shows that companies making investments in low-carbon technologies are realizing a 27 percent average internal rate of return.

"The [report] underlines that we do not have to choose between climate action and economic growth," said Unilever CEO Paul Polman. "The report shows this is a false dilemma. They can be achieved simultaneously. The next 15 years are critical. Around $90 trillion will be invested in cities, land use and energy infrastructure globally between now and 2030."

For more information or to join their initiatives click here.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Eleven Business Pledges at the UN Climate Summit

September 26, 2014 Add Comment Edit

At the UN Climate Summit companies played a leading role through initiatives designed to reduce pollution, conserve forests and combat climate change. While industry is often maligned for contributing to eco-degeneration, these claims are being blunted by new initiatives.

The business community is increasingly engaging in efforts to promote the transition to a low carbon economy, cut emissions, diminish deforestation, reduce pollution, adopt renewable sources of energy, increase the number of electric vehicles, and lower the carbon footprint of rail and aviation.

Here is a summary of 11 pledges made at the UN Climate Summit:

1. A new coalition was launched at the summit called We Mean Business, which aims to unify the private sector voice and highlight how business can benefit from a low-carbon economy.

2. A number of businesses also made renewable energy and other commitments through We Mean Business and other coalitions.

3. The World Bank released a statement signed by more than 1,000 companies and 73 countries in support of setting carbon price to shift to cleaner energy technologies. These companies are in addition to the nearly 350 global institutional investors, representing more than $24 trillion in assets, called on government leaders to adopt climate pricing.

4. About two dozen large firms commited to deforestation-free sourcing of products such as palm oil, soy and beef, USA Today reports. (Nestle, Kellogg’s, Hershey’s and General Mills have already made similar pledges).

5. Major palm oil users Mondelez International, Wilmar, Golden Agri-Resources and Cargill, and Asia Pulp and Paper, signed a pledge to cut the loss of forests in half by 2020 and end it in 2030.

6. The New York Declaration on Forests, a public-private partnership, aims to eliminate the emission of between 4.5 and 8.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year. It also calls for restoring at least 350 million hectares of degraded forest lands by 2030.

7. The Urban Electric Mobility Initiative — supported by companies including Michelin — aims to increase the number of electric vehicles in cities to least 30 percent of all new vehicles sold on annual basis by 2030.

8. The International Union of Railways launched the Low-Carbon Sustainable Rail Transport Challenge to promote the use of rails for freight and transport.

9. The International Association of Public Transport Declaration on Climate Leadership brings aims to provide climate-friendly public transportation to cities.

10. The International Civil Aviation Organization also promised to step up commitment to reach the industry’s long-term existing global goal to halve net CO2 emissions by 2050 compared to 2005 levels.

11. Major oil and gas companies, in partnership with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, pledged to reduce methane leaks in fossil fuel production.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Sign the Sustainability Charter for Businesses and Others

September 26, 2014 Add Comment Edit

Sustainability is a buzzword that is gaining momentum, but a growing number of organizations are coming forward with practical initiatives to help turn the concept into reality. One such initiative is called the Worldwide Charter for Fair International Commerce (WCFIC). Developed by the IBSO, this global initiative supports international businesses showcasing a particular social and environmental sensibility through following a code of conduct and a set of universal principles; reflecting the core values of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, labor conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and other internationally recognized principles.

The Worldwide Charter for Fair International Commerce is an absolutely non-commercial project and 100% free for its signatories.

Businesses, institutions and media outlets are welcoming to join this international initiative. By becoming a signatory, your organization commits to adopt and implement the Charter’s Principles to demonstrate its commitment to be among the world leaders in fair business dealings and corporate responsibility.

We, leaders from business, international agencies and institutions, non-government and civil society organizations, academia and the media, by signing the Worldwide Charter for Fair International Commerce on behalf of our organizations, confirm that we agree and commit to the following principles:

1. As a minimum standard, comply with all applicable local, state, provincial and federal laws and regulations in all the countries where we operate.

2. Not sell or deal in counterfeit and pirated goods. Refrain from infringing on intellectual property or other proprietary rights owned by a third party.

3. Act with the highest ethical standards and integrity, implementing good faith and fair dealing norms and compete in a transparent and open manner with a zero tolerance on corruption.

4. Respect the relationships with contractors, partners, clients and customers. Any kind of fraud, falsifying or misrepresenting practice is unacceptable.

5. Present the organization’s financial data and non-financial information honestly, accurately and objectively.

6. Respect the cultures and customs of the countries in which the organization works by demonstrating a spirit of tolerance, integrity and social responsibility.

7. Wherever the operations are located, provide all internationally recognized human rights, a safe work environment, fair treatment and salary for all employees including the principle of “equal pay for equal work” without discrimination of any kind.

8. Take all possible measures to avoid or minimize damage to the environment and human health.

9. Take all actions necessary to comply with the requirements of this Charter. Senior management of signatories will assume the responsibility for realizing the letter and spirit of these principles.

For more information or to sign the charter click here.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Sign the Ceres Climate Declaration

September 24, 2014 Add Comment Edit

Click here for the download the Climate Declaration Kit (PDF).
Companies click here to add your name to the Declaration.
Individuals click here to add your name to the Declaration.

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Video - Supporting Green Growth in the Business Community by the Carbon Trust

May 10, 2014 Add Comment Edit

The Carbon Trust is helping businesses capitalise on the global green economy - worth over £3 trillion worldwide. To find out more click here.

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Event - The Responsible Business Summit

March 23, 2014 Add Comment Edit

The Responsible Business Summit will take place on May 19 - 20, 2014 in London, UK. This is the sustainability event of 2014. It will showcase how businesses are sewing corporate responsibility into the heart of their business strategies. It will also demonstrate how leading companies are evolving their CR strategies.

The event will feature 24 cutting edge industry debates. These independently researched and structured sessions are built around the key issues and opportunities. The Responsible Business Summit is the meeting place for business professionals looking to learn the latest about corporate responsibility and sustainable business.

Meet face-to-face and do business with your peers as part of exclusive networking opportunities. Leverage this platform to increase market presence, impress potential clients and form crucial partnerships

Europe’s largest CR meeting place in 2014 will bring together leading CEOs/C-Suite executives. In total more than 400 of the best and the brightest executives from leading multinationals will be in attendance. Also present will be CSR heads as well as key stakeholders such as NGOs and academics to discuss the future of sustainability.

Click here to download the brochure.

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Event - The Progressive Manufacturing Summit

March 16, 2014 Add Comment Edit

The Progressive Manufacturing Summit will take place in May 28 - 30, 2014. This event engages Vice Presidents and Directors of Manufacturing, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, Human Resources and Procurement for industrial facilities across the nation. They work with FMA to learn how to better achieve and surpass their strategic goals of operational efficiency, development and lean strategies within their supply chain and manufacturing processes. FMA Summits provide the platform for sharing best practices; through rich dialogue, thought leader presentations and establishing relationships between decision-makers with needs and industry leading solution providers.

Topics

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Off-shoring, near-shoring, re-shoring and Made in the USA Federal Programs: Incentives & Initiatives Workforce Development & Job Creation Strategic Private-Public Partnerships & Regional Collaboration

AUTOMATION

Safety: Regulations & Implementation High Precision 3D Printing Optimizing distribution center operations Cradle-to-Grave approach to Asset Management Electronic Enterprise Quality Management Systems Protecting your Automation IT LEAN

MANUFACTURING

Applying Lean strategies to Supply Chain Six Sigma Deployment & Kaizen – Continuous Improvement Waste Reduction Taking Lean beyond cost reduction Creating & sustaining High Performance Operations Streamlining manufacturing processes Quick response manufacturing

SUPPLY CHAIN

Supply Chain Management Working with 3PL’s Shortening Product Lifecycle Fleet Management Inventory & Operations Management Green Supply Chain Putting your Supply Chain in the Cloud Real-time Supply Chain visibility Automation storage & retrieval technology

HUMAN RESOURCES

Building resiliency into your workforce Talent Acquisition & Retention Strategy Leadership training for manufacturing operations Senior-level ‘buy-in’ and participation. Next generation of SCM talent ENERGY MANAGEMENT Energy efficient controls Power Factor Correction Alternative Fuels Water Conservation, Reuse & Remediation

QUALITY ASSURANCE/CONTROL

Vision Systems Engineering Performance Solutions Quality management & standardizations Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Multi-site maintenance strategies Diagnostic tools, planning & scheduling

MATERIALS HANDLING

Packaging Innovation, Solutions & Technologies Material movement & handling systems Warehouse tools & tactics to optimize warehouse space Materials Protection & Security Materials Handling, Storage, Use & Disposal

Speakers

Santiago Archila, Manager Factory Planning Group Husky Injection Molding Systems is one of the world’s leading suppliers of injection molding equipment and services to the global plastics industry. We design and manufacture a broad range of injection molding machines, hot runners, robots, molds and integrated systems.

Mark Correll, Vice President Manufacturing Operations Rockwell Collins is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications.

Carl Hale, Vice President Manufacturing Visionworks (formerly Eye Care Centers of America, Inc.) is a leading provider of eye care services with more than 590 optical retail stores in 40 states and the District of Columbia through 5 store names that are leaders in eye care service in each of their respective markets.

Thomas Easterday, Executive Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel SIA was the first automotive assembly plant in the U.S. to be ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certified. Through the use of lean principles and innovative environmental programs, SIA achieved zero landfill status in May, 2004, and has significantly reduced waste generated, air emissions, and energy usage. Executive Vice President Tom Easterday will discuss the positive impact of SIA’s award-winning environmental programs on the environment, productivity, and cost efficiency.

Aubrey Jones, Sr., Director Engineering & Manufacturing Support Multi-national manufacturer of industrial starches, adhesives, polymers, electronic and engineering materials and specialty food products.

Chris Woodbridge, VP Global Manufacturing Strategy Chris has worked in SAC for over 25 years and held a number of manufacturing positions spanning that period. In particular, Chris established a regional manufacturing approach in Latin America and served as the first Global VP of Manufacturing for SAC.

Steve Fugarazzo, Manager of Facilities Engineering The Raytheon energy conservation program has been highly recognized across the Nation as well as internationally by the US EPA ENERGY STAR program, US EPA Climate Leaders program and the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA). The panel will focus on what Raytheon has done and is continuing to do to reach out to their employees to reduce plug load as well as how to tune up the infrastructure, conserve energy, and reduce costs. In addition, Raytheon has developed an energy survey tool which they use to identify and eliminate energy waste.

Dr. Sid Mundkur, Vice President Corporate Engineering Services Sid is the VP of Corporate Engineering Services for Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., leading capital projects in the Americas, and working with Corporate EHS and Continuous Improvement, yield and efficiency improvements. Sid’s team identifies best available technologies. Sid has over 15 years experience in the ethanol industry, Engineering, Operations, R&D, and Technology Development.

Mark Servidio , Vice President – Logistics & Environmental Supply Chain Learn how shippers are working in a partnership with carriers and together reducing greenhouse gases – CO2, NOx, & PM. This program started in 2004 is working. It is not about whether global warming is real; it is about breathing cleaner air.

For more information click here.

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Business Sustainability Tips from Accor's Planet 21 Program

November 20, 2013 Add Comment Edit

Have you decided to green your business? Excellent decision, but where do you start? While recycling paper, using less electricity, and carpooling may be obvious sustainable options for some, Accor’s Planet 21 program offers more creative options for your business.

Office decor is the last thing people think of when it comes to sustainable business. However, repurposing items to liven up your office is a great way to give back to the environment. Some Accor hotels reuse old tires as pots to hold fresh plants. Old bricks and wood can also be reused for tables, pots, and wall decorations. Looking for something a little more green? Check out Accor Novotel Auckland Airport’s living wall. This wall is adorned with native fauna, creating a beautiful aesthetic and bringing added benefits as well. Living walls are said to clean indoor air quality in the office space, especially of pollution that stems from printers.

Another unique way to green up the workplace is to offer sustainable food options. Does your office have a deli? Build sandwiches with free range meats and locally grown produce. This lowers your carbon footprint and supports your local community. Do you offer vending machines? Keep them stocked with sustainable and healthy choices. Eliminating water bottles from the workplace will greatly reduce your carbon footprint too. Water bottles produce up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste every year. Instead, stock your office with reusable mugs, cups, and water bottles.

Click here to get more tips and advice.

Click here to learn more about Planet 21.

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Event - Rethink Sustainability Initiatives (RSI): Action Partners

November 17, 2013 Add Comment Edit

This event will take place on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, 10:30am to 3:30pm at MaRS Discovery District, 101 College St., Toronto. Rethink Sustainability Initiatives (RSI) is where leaders who care about sustainability can learn from experts and the real-time experience of their peers – to build it successfully into their businesses — via interactive events, think tanks, publications and other means.

A special keynote presentation and lunch meeting with Sir Richard Branson’s Carbon War Room COO Peter Boyd. In addition to delivering a keynote presentation, Peter Boyd will also be participating in the open forum Leaders Circle with Daniels Carbon, Lafarge, KPMG and other action partners. This diverse group of leaders will share their expertise and commitment to addressing key sustainability challenges facing our environment. Their discussions will focus on actionable ideas and solutions to reducing carbon emissions, as well as strengthening the resilience and future readiness of buildings and cities – throughout the supply chain and beyond.

There will also be an announcement about a new initiative that Rethink Sustainability Initiatives is developing with the Carbon War Room and other partners; some of whom will be attending the event too.

They anticipate a robust and action-oriented conversation amongst senior leaders and decision-makers who are committed to accelerating the discovery and adoption of profitable, breakthrough solutions that reduce carbon emissions and advance the sustainability and resilience of business and society.

Eight senior leaders from North America and Europe will be part of the Leaders Circle

Agenda

10:30am – Registration
11:00am – Welcome Remarks
11:20am – Keynote Presentation: “Mobilizing the Carbon Conversation for Profitable and Scalable Actions” by Peter Boyd, Carbon War Room, Chief Operating Officer
12:00pm – Lunch and Special Announcement
1:05pm – Leaders Circle: Action Partners Forum (Moderated by Doug Miller, GlobeScan Foundation, Chairman)
2:45pm – Insights, Decisions and Actions
3:30pm – Closing Remarks and Wrap-up

To register click here

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