Twelve Online Tools for Greener Businesses

There are a growing number of online tools that make it easier for businesses to understand and assess their environmental performance and that of their peers. Here are a suite of 12 online tools from Environmental Leader. These tools run the gamut and deal with a wide variety of issues from construction to water. They are presented in the order that they were published.

RSK Tool Helps Construction Companies Manage Environmental Risk

RSK Business Solutions has launched a web-based tool to help UK-based construction companies mitigate environmental risk and drive legal compliance. For more information click here.

BASF Launches Sustainable Construction Website

BASF’s Green Sense Concrete reduced the carbon footprint of the One World Trade Center by 15,838,267 kg CO2 in the construction. For more information click here.

Guide - Green City Philosophy

There has never been a greater need for the people planning and running our cities, as well as the residents themselves, to understand the critical significance of green space in our urban environment. Working with green is a way to respond to the true needs of people when designing buildings, the public realm, transport and communications infrastructure. This is a goal to which every professional can apply themselves.

These guidelines are a starting point so interested parties can come together internationally and discuss techniques for urban development. What this set of guidelines shows is that the knowledge is already there. The theory, substantiated by empirical scientific research, proves that green infrastructure is a key element in constructing living spaces that work. This is powerful information at a time when budgets are being cut and every cost scrutinised. This set of guidelines and techniques will demonstrate to practitioners that investment and maintenance in green infrastructure is not a cost but brings value from a social, economic and environmental point of view – in summary the ‘Green City Philosophy’.

Guide - Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS)

This guideline on Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) was prepared by International Finance Corporation (IFC) and World Bank Group. The health and well being of a workforce is a key part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and it is crucial to the wider issue of sustainable development.

Research by Nuffield Health and Ashridge Business School asserts that “companies need to develop a strategic approach to health and well being and concentrate on building a ‘sustainable workforce’ if they are to remain competitive.” The UK-based report, Developing a strategy for employee wellbeing: a framework for planning and action, calls on companies to focus on improving employee well being as a way of strengthening an organization and reducing risk.

At a 2012 briefing in London, Nuffield Health chief executive David Mobbs said, “We already worry about the sustainability of the environment, but in the future it’s going to be about the sustainability of the health of your workforce. Health and wellbeing will become the new CSR,” said Mobbs.

Report - Sustainability Consultants Face Complex Market Dynamics

For the past decade, management consultants and firms such as engineering service firms, environmental services firms and boutiques have created sustainability practices in an attempt to address a growing need for sustainability services, which include climate change, carbon management and cleantech.

However, sustainability consultants have experienced a bumpy ride, struggling to identify the market and to attract large contracts, which are few and far between.

This report helps sustainability consultants understand those challenges and sheds light on how consultants can succeed in a complex market.

Guides - Sustainable Events

The Sustainable Event Guide (SEG) was developed to help you find the resources and services to make your events as sustainable as possible. It is a document filled with guidance, resources, and simple advice about organizing an event that benefits the community, promotes ethical purchasing, and reduces waste. For some, this guide may simply act as an information resource about environmentally and socially responsible retailers and/or as a guide in reducing the waste produced at an event. For those who have never organized a big event, this guide may act as a framework for the "how to" of organizing. Regardless of past experience in event organizing, we suggest browsing through the entire guide - it may inspire new ideas or stir up old ones. 

We believe everyone can make a difference through the way they host academic, social, and fundraising events. Although this guide includes many Concordia University specific resources, there is plenty of information that event planners from other universities and organizations may find very useful as well.

How to Achieve Energy Efficiency Goals with Limited Resources (Webinar)

On September 12, 2012 at 11am PDT/2pm EDT see the complimentary webinar "How to Achieve Energy Efficiency Goals with Limited Resources." This one-hour energy management webinar will be presented by Constellation, Edison Electric Institute (EEI), and Environmental Leader.

Today’s challenging economic climate and increased focus on sustainability are driving more American businesses to focus on reducing energy consumption and lowering energy costs. According to the 2012 Deloitte reSources Study, 89% of businesses surveyed have electricity cost and consumption reduction goals in place. However, insufficient capital funding, implementation complexity, and lack of dedicated staff continue to be barriers to achieving these goals. Join Constellation, EEI and Environmental Leader to learn about the options available to businesses and how forward-thinking companies are strategically implementing energy efficiency projects while overcoming key resource barriers.

10. Question and Answers Part Two (Video): Sustainable Business Practices Part 10/10

This short video addresses additional questions from audience members about sustainable business practices. This video is part ten 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.

9. Question and Answers Part One (Video): Sustainable Business Practices Part 9/10

This short video addresses how to work with peoples understanding of the science of climate change. This video is part nine 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.

8. Sustainability Innovation (Video): Sustainable Business Practices Part 8/10

The challenges inherent in the process of innovating for sustainability include the politics in an organization. This video is part eight 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.

7. Sustainability Support System (Video): Sustainable Business Practices Part 7/10

This short video addresses the issue of resistance in more depth. It deals with the actual techniques used in actual business cases. This video is part seven 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.

6. Sustainability Support System (Video): Sustainable Business Practices Part 6/10

This short video addresses This short video addresses the support systems that are required to implement sustainability into an organization.  It also explains resistance to an organizations sustainability goals. It deals with the business systems in place and how they work with, (or against) an organizations sustainability goals. This video is part six 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.

5. Sustainability Implementation Stages (Video): Sustainable Business Practices Part 5/10

This short video addresses where an organization is at regarding sustainability as well as the key tasks they must perform to reach their goals. It looks at the structures in place and helps to foster an integrated approach. This video is part five 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.

4. Sustainability Tools (Video): Sustainable Business Practices Part 4/10

This short video addresses the tools of sustainability practice. This video is part four 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.

3. Sustainability Methodology (Video): Sustainable Business Practices Part 3/10

This short video addresses the methodology of sustainable development. This video is part three 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.

2. Sustainability Processes and Implementation (Video): Sustainable Business Practices Part 2/10

This short video addresses processes and implementation, it includes a discussion of a very useful diagram that covers the various elements of sustainability and helps organizations to determine where they want to go. It breaks their longer term goals into shorter term goals. This video is part two 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.

1. 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.

Five Rules for Going Green (Video)

Sustainability Success Kit from Enviance

Internal and external pressures are forcing organizations to be more aware of the impacts they have on the communities in which they operate. Organizations are increasingly being held accountable. In addition, market, social and regulatory pressures increase every day for businesses to effectively manage their environmental programs.

Understanding Responsible Procurement and Creating Value

Knowing what drives your company's approach to responsible procurement is a key success factor. In any change process it is important to explain why, how and when. Implementing a responsible procurement program is a change process and understanding value drivers are the key to success.

The New Sustainability Advantage

The recently released book “The New Sustainability Advantage,” proves that the quantified business case for sustainability is more compelling than ever before. This is a revised version of the 2002 book “The Sustainability Advantage.” The new book makes an even more compelling business case for sustainability strategies than described in its 2002 version.