World Future Energy Summit 2013 (Event)

Starting on January 15, 2013 and ending on January 17, 2013 the World Future Energy Summit will take place in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) is the world’s foremost annual event, dedicated to advancing future energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, WFES includes a world class summit, an international exhibition, the Project & Finance Village, Round Table Discussions, the Young Future Energy Leaders program, corporate meetings and social events.

Keeping Up with Market Demand for Sustainable Products and Services

As reviewed in a 2012 Accenture study, executives report having difficulty keeping up with demand for sustainable products and services. There are three powerful initiatives that companies can embrace to help meet this demand. They involve design innovation, investing in understanding and reviewing supply chain capabilities.  These recommendations from Accenture Sustainability Services are intended to ensure that companies are better able to keep up with market demand for sustainable products and services. Here is a more detailed summary of the three recommendations:

Even with Premium Pricing Demand for Sustainable Products Outpaces Supply

A new survey of executives from Accenture reveals that despite concerns that consumers are reluctant to pay more for sustainable products and services, more than half are charging a price premium for these products. Although less than half (47 percent) of executives polled expressed concerns that consumers will not pay more for sustainable products and services, 60 percent admitted to charging premiums. Almost three quarters (68 percent) claimed they can charge between 5 and 20 percent premiums. 17 percent claim they can charge premiums of between twenty and fifty percent. Yet, despite charging higher prices, over one third (37 percent) of surveyed businesses say they cannot keep up with customer demand for sustainable products and services.

Study Finds Sustainability is Vital to Growth

According to new research by Accenture, the vast majority of businesses say that sustainability is vital to their future growth. More than three quarters (78%) of the 250 senior executives polled indicated that sustainability is vital to their future growth and almost half (44%) indicated that sustainability is critical. Nearly two thirds (62%) said that their sustainability initiatives were motivated by customer expectations and almost the same number (62%) said they were motivated by the opportunity to drive growth. Less than half (41%) said they were motivated by regulatory compliance and less than one third (29%) indicated they were motivated by the need to reduce energy and material costs.

Puma Wins the Guardians' Sustainable Business Award

The Guardian announced that German athletic brand Puma was the winner of its Sustainable Business Award. This award is given for corporate initiatives that tackle pressing environmental and social challenges. Puma was recognized for its ground-breaking Environmental Profit and Loss Account. The accounting method puts a direct monetary value on ecosystem services used by the business – such as fresh water, clean air, healthy biodiversity and productive land – and on the negative impacts a company has on the environment.

Corporate Green Ranking: Top Spots and Most Improved

As reviewed in a June 4, 2012 Environmental Leader article, Computer chip maker Intel and home appliance manufacturer Whirlpool have been named as the major US firms with the strongest environmental governance, policies, and infrastructure in a report by sustainability consultants Soyka & Company. Intel maintained their top spot for 2012 in the Benchmarking Analysis of Disclosed U.S. Corporate Environmental Practices. Intel improved their score by five points, or 6.1 percent. Whirlpool moved up from tied for 28th place in last year’s study by virtue of a 25 point, or 41 percent, gain in its score.

The Sustainability Advantage: Short Costs Long Growth

Businesses are showing leadership and driving sustainability. The relationship between businesses and the consumer is changing, people increasingly expect responsible conduct that incorporates sustainability. Sustainability is no longer only a way to reduce risk and prepare for a more stringent regulatory environment. Sustainability is a competitive necessity and sustainable business actions are becoming de rigueur.

Sustainability Planning (Video): Business Practice Part 1/10

This short video addresses the concepts and strategies of sustainability planning for a coherent approach. Sustainability planning is important because it helps and organization to develop a strategy that focuses their resources efficiently. Sustainability planning is also a means of coordinating an approach that involves tracking that forms the basis of reporting. Finally sustainability planning reduces the chances of missing important elements. This video is part one of a ten part series on sustainability. It is a step-by-step guide to sustainability planning and serves as a business guide to sustainability. The speakers include Alan AtKisson and Marsha Willard who tackle the issues faced by organizations attempting to implement sustainable practices, and explore the practical experiences of consulting firms AXIS Performance Advisors and The AtKisson Group in an international context.

Corporate Sustainability Experts Scoff at International Agreements

Corporate sustainability experts have little faith in international agreements to combat climate change. When asked to rank the most effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, these experts put international agreements like Rio +20 dead last.

Corporate Sustainability Experts Want a Tax on GHGs

Corporate sustainability experts indicate that a tax on greenhouse gases (GHGs) is the best way to combat climate change. These experts want to change the economics of energy, they see government involvement as crucial to create the right incentives and disincentives to reduce emissions. Twice as many of these experts believe that economic instruments work better than education to auger meaningful change.

Sustainability Nears a Tipping Point - Why Companies are Profiting (Whitepaper)

This whitepaper is titled "Sustainability Nears a Tipping Point - Why Companies are Profiting." It is derived from the findings of the 2011 Sustainability and Innovation Global Executive Study and Research Project. The paper reviews how and why  companies are profiting from their sustainability activities.


To download the whitepaper click here.

Spring of Sustainability (Video)

Spring of Sustainability is a three-month event series that allows callers to interact directly with world-class visionaries by phone or webcast, at no charge.  The 100 speakers include a who's who of world leaders in the field of sustainability, amongst them are former member of the Obama Administration Van Jones and 350.org founder Bill McKibben.

Sustainability Live! Birmingham UK (Event)

On May 22-24 the Sustainability Live! event will take place in Birmingham UK. Sustainability live! is the UK’s leading sustainability event for the environmental, water,land, energy and sustainable business sectors.

Five Rules for Going Green (Video)