Complimentary e-Book: How to Add Value with Environmental Data

"How to Add Value with Environmental Data" is a complimentary e-book that teaches you how to put your data to better use. It helps readers to to take full advantage of the Environmental Data they collect.

The book is intended for those who want to know more about how environmental data already captured in your systems can be usable information that creates business value.

In the book you will learn about critical tips to help you better manage your data, streamline operations and create cost savings.

Don't wait – get the 5 Ways to Create Business Value with your Environmental Data e-book today!

Click here to download the book.

Report - Top 10 Energy Management Predictions for 2014

Do you want to know what will be the major energy management trends that will impact corporates and utilities in 2014? Look no further than this complimentary report. Verdantix has compiled years of research into energy technologies, energy services and power utilities, as well as conducing extensive interviews with 500 energy managers in 2012 and 2013.

In 2014 Verdantix predicts:

Predictions for US Energy Efficiency in 2014: Growth and Obstacles

What can we expect from energy efficiency in the US in 2014? Insight into some of the major trends in energy efficiency for the year to come and beyond (this article is a followup to US Energy Efficiency in 2013: Success Stories and Barriers).

Efficiency will have an even greater impact on both residential and industrial energy consumption this year compared to 2013. This is driven by policy at the federal, state and municipal levels. Net-positive energy buildings is another trend expected to grow in 2014. Other specific initiatives that will define energy efficiency in 2014 relate to financing, data usage, operational savings, and equipment integration.

Green Bonds May be the Climate Success Story of 2014

The cleantech story of 2014 may very well be the growth of green bonds, (aka climate bonds). A growing number of financial institutions and state governments are issuing green bonds to generate funding for sustainable development and clean energy technology. This rapidly emerging financial instrument is capable of significantly advancing global efforts to combat climate change.

Green bonds may very well be able to meet the Herculean funding challenge we have ahead of us. It is widely understood that there are technological solutions that will reduce our emissions and keep the temperature from climbing beyond the widely agreed upon 2 degree Celsius upper threshold limit. However to get there we will require massive capital investments of 36 trillion by 2050 or an average of 1 trillion per year.

New Senate Climate Initiative in 2014: Climate Action Task Force

On Thursday January 9, Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and other Democratic senators, announced a new effort to get Congress to act on climate change in 2014. To help with this with this effort they are planning to enlist the support of civic groups, private industry, religious organizations and others. The new initiative entitled “Climate Action Task Force,” has a wide variety of goals, including the holy grail of environmental action, putting a price on carbon. To achieve this they will need to secure 60 votes in the chamber, however, this is no easy task as they can expect considerable opposition from Republicans as well as Democrats in coal states.

You Can Make a Difference in 2014: Ethiconomics on Change in the New Year

Well, what are you waiting for?

“How much of human life is lost in waiting.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Another year passes and the wheel of time turns. Inexorably, inevitably and impersonally. For many of us it is a time when we reflect on the past year and gird our loins for the next. There is no natural reason for this reference to a spurious calendar embedded into our western consciousness and organisation by some medieval monk. For centuries we organised our years by the cycles of nature; by equinox and solstice, by season, growth and harvest. Still, it allows us the structure that we need in our ‘modern’ world for planning and organisation. Our frontal lobe is satisfied by this and our software applications are pure and blank, waiting to be filled with exciting and stimulating appointments and activities.

Andrew Winston's Sustainable Business Questions for 2014 and Beyond

Andrew Winston has been providing a top ten list of sustainable business stories for the last four years. He is the co-author of the best-seller Green to Gold and the author of Green Recovery. His forthcoming book, The Big Pivot, will be released in April. He advises some of the world’s biggest companies on environmental strategy. Here are eight questions for sustainable business in 2014 and beyond.

1. Will the divestment movement continue to gather steam and put significant pressure, either financial (unlikely) or moral (much more intriguing), on fossil fuel companies?

2. Will all the talk about building a circular economy gain mainstream acceptance?

3. Will we get better at valuing natural capital (and will companies and markets care)? It certainly garnered lots of attention this year, with new estimates of the damage the global economy does to natural assets (trillions), new tools to measure natural capital, and an important new book from former Goldman partner and CEO of The Nature Conservancy, Mark Tercek.

Business Sustainability Tips from Accor's Planet 21 Program

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.

Event - Rethink Sustainability Initiatives (RSI): Action Partners

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.

Event - Sustainability Leaders Forum

The annual Sustainability Leaders Forum will take place on November 21, 2013 at Faversham House in London UK. This event brings together over 580 inspiring thought leaders who want to challenge and exceed existing sustainable business objectives and positively influence their stakeholders.

Event - Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership

IMPACT! the Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership will take place on May 23 - 24, 2014 in Guelph, Ontario. A total of 175 Canadian University and College students will be invited to participate in this all expenses paid trip and conference. University and college students from across Canada will participate in this conference to be real and effective agents for change in their communities, organizations and businesses.

Webinar: Sustainabilitly in Small Business for Big Impacts

Small Business Big Impacts is a webinar that is useful to all sustainability professionals particularly those associated with SMEs. This webinar will review the ways in which small and mid-sized companies can benefit financially from taking action as stewards of the world’s resources. 

The live webinar will take place on Tuesday October 22, 2013 at 11:00 AM Pacific Time-USA. For those not located in the Pacific Timezone, find your webinar time here. Those who are unable to attend the live stream can register and receive the link to view the recording later.

Most large corporations have recognized that they can drive innovation, competitive advantage and improved financial performance by adopting sustainable business practices. Small and mid-sized companies (SMEs) typically have not yet embraced sustainability as a key element of their business strategy. This represents a major lost opportunity, both for the SME business community and for the entire economy.

Event - Annual Sustainable Florida Conference and Awards: Working on the Green Sustainability Summit

The Annual Sustainable Florida Conference is titled Working on the Green. This Sustainability Summit is scheduled for Wednesday, October 30, 2013, beginning at 8:30 AM. The Best Practice Awards Luncheon is at 12 noon. This exciting program features several of Florida’s sustainability leaders in an informal setting that will educate, inspire and facilitate your first steps.

Profit Oriented Sustainability Guide for Small Businesses

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The "Small Business Guide to Increasing Profit by Putting People and Environment First" was developed by the Network for Business Sustainability and Funded by the TD Bank.

This practical guide on how to make money by becoming more sustainable provides an overview of how to cut costs, motivate employees, enhance reputation and increase sales – while helping the environment, employees, and the community.

The guide is broken down into two section, retail service and manufacturing and addresses with the following four areas:

GEMI Sustainable Supply Chain Tool: Free & Interactive

On October 10, 2013, the Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) announced that it is creating a new tool to help businesses with supply chain sustainability and the procurement decision-making process. This complimentary tool will be an interactive and online, it is designed to help business prioritize supply chain processes and identify “hotspot” processes as well as opportunities for improvement. It is ideal for sustainability and purchasing professionals.

Growth Strategies For Energy & Sustainability In 2014

Growth Strategies For Energy & Sustainability In 2014 will take place on November 12th 2013 at the Charing Cross Hotel, The Strand, London. This event is presented by Verdantix, it will address the growth prospects for the energy and sustainability market as the UK, Eurozone and US emerge from recession. How can the heads of energy and sustainability persuade the CEO and CFO to increase funding for their initiatives. These are crucial issues that leaders in the energy and sustainability market should focus on as they head into planning and budgeting for the 2014 financial year.

The Verdantix Summit will equip attendees with the data, insights and connections you need to power up your energy and sustainability strategies. It will discuss the drivers behind the market and link profitability with improved performance on energy and sustainability. It will also provide new perspectives on drivers of growth: energy supply risk, the rise of materiality, how ESG metrics impact valuation and CFO engagement.

Video Webinar - Sustainable Strategies: Selling Less and Making More

Video Webinar - Creating a Culture of Sustainability in Your Organization

To what extent is the appropriate organizational culture necessary to achieve your corporate sustainability objectives? Many scholars suggest that the pathway for achieving corporate sustainability is by creating a culture within their organization that values a sustainability framework from all aspects of the organization. It cannot be addressed by any single corporate action. Leading sustainability expert and author of Capitalism at the Crossroads, Stuart L. Hart, believes that when sustainability is viewed from the appropriate set of business lenses, leaders can create a culture to align their organization's strategies and people to improve performance and shareholder value. Join us to learn more about Hart's sustainability and strategy framework that helps leaders and organizations harmonize their concerns for the planet with their strategies for growth, innovation and profitability.

VProgram for Creating Value through a Sustainable Strategy

Professors Bob Eccles and George Serafeim talk about key takeaways from the program for creating value through a sustainable strategy.

For more information click here.

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Webinar - Climate Change 2.0: A Profit-Centric Paradigm For Businesses

This complimentary Verdantix webinar will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 4.00pm - 5.00pm (UK), 11am - 12 noon (EDT), 8am - 9am (PST). For over 20 years the dominant narrative for business discussions on climate change has been shaped by scientific data and forecasts, ethical considerations and government policy. Non-profits, media, scientists and politicians implored business leaders to change their investment decisions to fight climate change. In response, corporations in developed economies have gathered their GHG data and launched sustainability communications campaigns. In addition, utilities have invested in large-scale renewable energy and a small minority of firms have sought to make absolute reductions in GHG emissions. But the prevailing scientific-ethical paradigm has failed to engage the vast majority of business leaders and redirect significant flows of investment capital to climate change programs. Based on an assessment of business opportunities as well as risks, this Verdantix webinar offers a profit-centric paradigm for executives to make sense of climate change for their business.