Responsible Investing: Past, Present and the Next 25 Years

Tue, 10/03/2017 - 10:05

Sustainability Joins the Mainstream - Thanks to vocal consumers, shareholders and responsible investment firms, a growing number of companies are now promoting their sustainability, workplace and other social achievements as essential aspects of their brands. At the same time, many corporate leaders have come to realize that pursuing social responsibility can reduce litigation and reputational risk, while also improving innovation and efficiency. In addition, recent academic studies have demonstrated that investing in companies with strong ESG profiles can improve portfolio returns.

Decades of Clean Energy Use Fuels GM’s RE100 Commitment

Fri, 09/29/2017 - 14:00

All of GM’s Ohio and Indiana facilities – including the assembly plants that build the Chevrolet Cruze and Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty pickup trucks – will meet 100 percent of their electricity needs through wind power. Once the turbines come online by the end of 2018, renewable energy will power 20 percent of GM’s global electricity use.

MilliporeSigma Centers Work Toward a Smaller Carbon Footprint in India

Fri, 09/29/2017 - 14:00

India is the third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the world, accounting for 6.8 percent of global CO2 emissions. At the 2015 United Nations Convention on Climate Change, India signed the Paris Agreement and committed to reducing CO2 emissions 35 percent by 2030 compared to 2005 emission levels. Since then, the Indian government has introduced emissions control measures for power plants and tighter vehicular emission standards, while calling on businesses to reduce emissions.

Timberland Speaks on Climate Week Panel That Heralds Optimism As the Way to Shift From Climate Crisis to Broadly Adopted Solutions

Thu, 09/28/2017 - 16:00

At last week’s Climate Week in New York City, I participated in a unique panel discussion entitled: Can business help take back our climate to be fit for life again? And how? Held at the Flanders House, the cross-sector panel was organized by CO2logic, Connect4Climate, The General Delegation of the Government of Flanders to the U.S.A., IFC (World Bank Group), and the New York City chapter of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals.

Mohawk Receives Three GreenStep Honors from Floor Covering Weekly

Fri, 09/29/2017 - 10:15

Mohawk Industries received three GreenStep awards from Floor Covering Weekly, including the inaugural People award, which was presented to George Bandy, vice president of Sustainability, for his leadership in providing environmental, economic and socially responsible solutions to the organization and its customers.

WELL in the UAE: Trailblazing Towards a Happier, Healthier Future

Tue, 10/03/2017 - 10:25

If you spend just a few days in Dubai, it’s clear how critical real estate has been to the city’s economic success and population: construction cranes scatter the sky, huge billboards advertise new homes from mega developers and model communities representing dozens of acres dominate the lobbies of many buildings. Yet real estate has also contributed to some of the biggest health and safety challenges that face Dubai and the broader Middle East today.

Energy Efficiency Benefits NH Businesses

Mon, 10/02/2017 - 11:15

Look no further for a success story than MilliporeSigma, a global company with 65 manufacturing sites worldwide and more than 19,000 employees. One of their largest manufacturing facilities — located in our own backyard: Jaffrey, New Hampshire — produces precision filtration devices for use in the food and beverage, ultra-pure water and pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The Jaffrey plant continuously implements energy efficiency measures targeted at reducing costs while working towards the company’s corporate goal of a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 versus 2006 levels.

A Baker's Dozen: Duke Energy Economic Development Honored by Site Selection Magazine

Wed, 09/27/2017 - 11:00

For the 13th consecutive year, Duke Energy has been named to Site Selection magazine's annual list of "Top Utilities in Economic Development." In the magazine's September edition, it credits Duke Energy's economic development team and its successful collaboration with state and local partners for delivering more than $4 billion in capital investments and more than 14,000 new jobs in 2016. Duke Energy has been featured on the list every year since 2005.

Republic Services and Soltage Host Ribbon Cutting Dedication to Celebrate the Activation of a Major Solar Project Capable of Powering 1,900 Local Homes

Thu, 09/28/2017 - 19:10

Republic Services and renewable energy company Soltage today celebrated the activation of a 13.5 megawatt solar energy project constructed on three former landfill sites, or brownfields, in Massachusetts. Based on preliminary estimates, the project is expected to produce enough electricity to power 1,900 local households. When complete, the project will be comprised of 41,000 solar panels that will provide electricity for Massachusetts municipalities. These solar farms, located in East Bridgewater, Plainville and Randolph, are also expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 14,000 tons, which is the equivalent of removing the impact of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from almost 2,000 homes.

Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability Director, Joe Arvai - Big Data Will Not Save Us

Tue, 09/26/2017 - 13:30