Sustainability Resources for Business

Some of our favorite resources:

-          Rocky Mountain Institute has been working for years with various industries for greater sustainability solutions, looking hard at materials use, energy inputs and heavy transport of parts and finished products. Make good use of their search function for your industry!  https://rmi.org/ 

-          Want to train your people to navigate difficult climate issues? The Association for Climate Change Officers - https://climateofficers.org/ is a professional society which educates and certifies professionals working on climate issues in government, industry and other institutions. They offer training, networking, events and a job board. Their on-line modules may be purchased and studied by non-members. Of special interest are their training modules, including:

            •  Enterprise-201: Analyzing Climate Risks, Assessing Materiality & Disclosure - an introduction to the various threats climate change represents to a corporation, including flooding, power outages, supply chain disruptions, legal responsibilities, financial disclosures and reporting. 

            •  SupplyChain-101: Introduction to Assessing Climate Related Risks in the Supply Chain - an introduction to the methods of assessing and addressing climate-related risks for your products and how to begin addressing them. On completion of this module there is the SupplyChain 201 module covering offsets and offset projects. 

            •  Commodities-101: Understanding and Leveraging RECs – all about Renewable Energy Certificates, corporate accounting for greenhouse gas emissions and how to use RECs to meet emissions reduction goals. On completion of this module there is the upcoming Commodities 201 module covering the process of gaining supplier data and enlisting their support in meeting emissions reductions. 

-          Want to make your buildings more climate friendly? The Environmental Protection Agency offers an on-line resource for energy and water use as well as greenhouse gas emissions at https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-and-managers/existing-buildings/use-portfolio-manager. Also check out BOMA – Building Owners and Managers Association International – boma.org – which offers on-line training modules in energy audits, action plans, new technology and best practices for managing your commercial and industrial properties in a more energy efficient way. https://www.boma.org/BOMA/Education-Events/BEEP.aspx

-          Considering a new facility? You may get the biggest bang for your company’s buck by designing it for energy efficiency. Acknowledging the building sector’s large contribution to greenhouse gases, the American Institute of Architects – aia.org – is promoting the 2030 Commitment for architects to design new and retrofit old buildings towards carbon-neutral status by 2030. AIA provides training available even to nonmembers including the architects’ energy efficiency design series https://aiau.aia.org/aia2030-online-series . One of their modules is specific to climate mitigation design https://aiau.aia.org/courses/aia2030-online-series-course-3-accentuate-positive-climate-responsive-design

-          Want to bring more reliability and reduce carbon footprint of your industrial assets? Reliability Web - https://reliabilityweb.com/ - provides training and podcasts for reliability and maintenance practices for industry. While not specifically addressing climate mitigation, a focus on reliable and efficient operations and maintenance of large industrial assets can reduce a corporation’s carbon footprint significantly. 

-          Want to increase the operating efficiency of your industrial assets and reduce carbon footprint at the same time? AFE – Association of Facilities Engineering – afe.org – provides training and certification for industrial facilities maintenance personnel including Certified Plant Engineer, Certified Professional Maintenance Manager and Certified Professional Supervisor. While not specifically addressing climate mitigation, paying closer attention to efficient operations and maintenance of large industrial assets can reduce a corporation’s carbon footprint significantly. https://afe.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=244299&module_id=317176

-          Your supply chain may make a bigger impact on the climate than your own direct impact. So making design changes to your own product line may require a wider focus. Let CDP help you meet your goals, ensure your purchasing decisions align with your intentions, help your suppliers understand how to prepare disclosures, etc. at https://www.cdp.net/en/supply-chain

-          Enlist your local utility company or alternative energy provider in your efforts to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions. Many utility companies provide energy surveys or may be interested in partnerships including co-generation, waste-to-electric power opportunities or new sites for renewable energy installations. Partnerships can be powerful things.

-          Residential builders and developers - are you interested in more sustainable building housing but doubt it could pay off? Rocky Mountain Institute demonstrates that zero energy homes can be just a few percent more expensive, while costs can be recouped with appropriate “Climate-friendly” marketing. Their report provides methods for builders as well as marketing tips. https://rmi.org/insight/economics-of-zero-energy-homes/

-          Do your Sustainability people need resources and a supportive community? ISSP (Intl Society of Sustainability Professionals) – goes across all sectors https://www.sustainabilityprofessionals.org/ A professional association, providing education, certification, networking opportunities at local chapters and international gatherings for sustainability professionals. 

-          Greenbiz https://www.greenbiz.com/ a great information resource on new green developments effecting industry and markets.

-          Greenbiz Executive Network - https://www.greenbiz.com/executive-network – a member-based network across a wide base of business sectors providing forums for networking, sharing insights and information, research on leading practices, guidance and insight for better sustainability decisions. Members limited to corporations with revenues greater than $1 billion. 

-          Sustainable Brands https://sustainablebrands.com/ – a global network of commercial sustainable brand leaders aiming to inspire, engage, and equip business leaders and practitioners who see social and environmental challenges as an essential driver of brand innovation, value creation, and positive impact. Brings creative and technical experts together at events, sharing stories, networking and opportunities for collaboration.

-          Green Electronics Council https://greenelectronicscouncil.org/ advocates for sustainable IT, supporting manufactures and large-scale purchasers.

-          Community Solar partners with communities, utilities and corporations to create and distribute solar power in 12 states. Need a supplier? They can help. Want them to help you build your own solar project? They can help there too. https://www.communityenergyinc.com/