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Don’t Put Your Business at Risk
Posted on 22. Mar, 2010 by admin.
The concept behind sustainability is as simple as it is compelling: resources may only be used at a rate at which they can be replenished.
When most people see the word “resources,” they think immediately of natural resources. But in order to thrive businesses actually need three types of resources: environmental (e.g., natural resources), social (including employees, customers and general societal goodwill) and economic (money).
In fact, these three factors comprise a common definition of business sustainability: increasing short- and long-term profitability by holistically managing economic, social and environmental risks and opportunities.
This definition is relevant both in times of recession and economic growth because the main drivers of sustainability don’t change. The three factors have been the drivers of business success since mankind has been engaged in business endeavors. While sustainability may seem to run counter to the profit-maximizing doctrine of running a company, this concept of creating sustainable business processes is increasingly seen as a key to long-term success.
Organizations can work toward sustainability in many ways, but to be truly effective sustainability initiatives cannot stand alone. They must transform the organization as a whole. This takes individual and coordinated efforts from many segments of a company.
Read entire article at GreenBiz.com
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Green Surprises at Apple’s Shareholder Meeting
Posted on 26. Feb, 2010 by admin.
Who would have thought that one of the world’s hottest, richest companies would spend about a third of its annual meeting discussing sustainability, melting glaciers and the finer points of reporting about greenhouse gas emissions? That’s what happened at today’s Apple Inc. shareholder meeting.
There were two shareholder proposals on the proxy, one of them from As You Sow, where I work, calling for the company to set greenhouse gas reduction goals and do a better job of environmental and corporate responsibility reporting in general. A second proposal, from Harrington Investments, asked the company to establish a permanent board committee on sustainability.
Normally we get our two minutes to speak and then the meeting veers back to more pressing matters such as how Apple should spent $25 billion in cash it’s sitting on. However, a politically conservative investor started off the meeting commenting that the glaciers were not melting, climate change was not real, and Board Member Al Gore had become a laughingstock. This prompted a swift rebuttal from another shareholder in support of Mr. Gore, and the company’s social and environmental performance went on to curiously pervade much of the meeting.
A question about our proposal, suggesting that the company do a better job on sustainability reporting, led CEO Steve Jobs to minimize the value of reporting, commenting that sustainability groups like to have companies generate lots of reports, make specific commitments, and schmooze at conferences.
Read the entire article at GreenerComputing.com
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How Green is that app?
Posted on 22. Feb, 2010 by admin.
1) GreenMeter GreenMeter measures your vehicle’s acceleration and computes engine power, fuel efficiency, your carbon footprint and how many barrels of oil you’re consuming. You can also input info on driving conditions, your driving habits, weather conditions and fuel type. Price: $5.99
2) GoodGuide With over 70,000 item ratings, GoodGuide recommends safe, healthy and green products, ranging from household cleaners to food to toys. Price: Free
3) Ecobee Smart Thermostat Use your iPhone or iPod Touch to remotely adjust your Ecobee thermostat temperature, schedule a vacation, change the system and fan settings and receive alerts. Price: Free
4) Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch The official list published by the aquarium to help make sustainable seafood choices wherever you are. Choose a region and it provides a list labeled “Best Choice,” “Good Alternative” or “Avoid.” Price: Free
5) Find Green Find Green assists you in locating green and sustainable businesses by industry (i.e., health and wellness), type (fitness, nutrition, doctors, etc.) and distance (walking, biking or driving). Powered by the GenGreenLife.com database. Price: Free
6) iRecycle Find recycling locations anywhere in the U.S. with this search engine, based on what item you need to recycle. Price: Free
