October 16, 2008
Corporations Should Take Eco-Strategies To The Next Level
Holly Kaufman, founder and president of Environment & Enterprise Strategies, writes in the EcoInnovator that companies need to take their corporate eco-strategy to the next level.
Kaufman says U.S. corporate sustainability does not embrace “the Precautionary Principle.” She recommends commercial culture and accounting to incorporate the principle. Ignoring the principle, writes Kaufman, is ignoring the human consequences of what we buy and sell, and exposing people to compounds that are harmful to our health. She says that companies that don’t take environmental and human consequences into account are taking financial risks.
Although companies may see waste elimination as a low-hanging fruit, Kaufman says U.S. corporations have “barely scratched the surface” on some sustainable initiatives. She cites the example of escalators in Germany that only run when stepped on, and hotel corridors that are only lit when guests walk in.
Kaufman says American corporations need to embrace “life cycle analysis” and maximum “cradle to grave” integrity, while employing “biomimicry” concepts. She adds that the U.S. economic system should reward activities that enhance sustainability and penalize those that don’t.
Advertisers
Enhance Sustainability. Improve Profitability.
Learn how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>
EFFECTIVELY MANAGE WATER COMPLIANCE
Understand how increased enforcement may affect your company. Find out more >>
EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st
CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>
Recent Daily News [ see all ]
- 11/09/2009
- 11/06/2009
- 11/05/2009
- Emissions Intensity Falling Globally
- JohnsonDiversey Ups GHG Reduction Target to 25%
- Sainsbury’s Offers Free London Electric Car Charging
- Carbon Trading Could Trigger a ‘Sub-prime Style’ Economic Crash
- Peabody, Exxon Accused of Undermining Climate Talks
- BMW, Toyota, Ford Tout Eco-cars
- In ‘Apathy Gap,’ Energy Efficiency at Home Ranks Low
- China Pushes for CO2 Storage, Not Emissions Reductions
- Clean Tech VC Funding On Rebound, Up 50% Since 2nd Quarter
- IECC Building Code Recommendations Add Up to 30% in Energy Efficiency Gains
- Disney Buys $7M in Reforestation Offsets, a Corporate Record
- McKesson to Save $300K Via Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
- Sprint to Save $2.1M With Eco-Friendly Packaging
- U.S. Export-Import Bank Adopts Carbon Policy to Support Renewable Energy
- Greening the Automotive Supply Chain
- Yokohama Rubber Cuts GHG Emissions 13.4% in 2008
- Electronics Industry Lawsuit Called ‘Attack on States’ Rights’
- Wal-Mart Adding LEDs to 650 Stores
- One Committee Down for Senate Climate Bill, Five More to Go
- EU Poised to Give Heavy Industry Free Carbon Permits
Industry Voices [ see all ]
A Roadmap for a Renewable Energy Partnership
Brad Cashaw
Vice President
Quaker Foods and Snacks Supply Chain and Sustainability
Forest Carbon Core to Climate Change Deal
Chris Elliott
Forest Carbon Initiative Lead
World Wildlife Fund
VCS and CarbonFix Tops in Review of Forestry Carbon Standards
Paulo Lopes
Carbon Management Consultant
Carbon Clear






Join the Discussion