Sustainable Business Practices


Alternative and Renewable Energy


Organization

Alternative Energy

AGORES: A Global Overview of Renewable Energy Sources. AGORES features information on European strategies and policies relevant to renewable energy sources. Sections include biomass, electricity, geothermal and solar energy with a comprehensive listing of related links.

  1. What action for education training related to renewable energies should take place on a regional, national, and/or global level?
  2. What appropriate policy measures should be taken to promote the use and growth of renewable energy? How can local resources be favored?
  3. How can hydrogen for transport be cost competitive?

Alternative Energy
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

American Solar Energy Society

The mission of ASES is to attain a sustainable U.S. energy economy. ASES promotes the use of solar energy through advocacy, education, research, and collaboration among professionals, policy-makers and the public.

  1. How can solar energy initiatives involving photovoltaics be furthered?
  2. How can a global solar market be created?
  3. How can the cost of solar thermal heating be reduced?

American Solar Energy Society
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Association of Energy Professionals

The mission of AESP is to promote the professional development of energy industry professionals.

  1. What financial incentives should be provided for consumers to purchase renewable energy equipment and services?
  2. How can the competitive edge of European industry in the global renewable energies market be enhanced?

Association of Energy Professionals
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Bioenergy Information Network

A bioenergy feedstock information network; includes information resources for the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Extensive related links.

  1. Devise a plan for reducing production costs of biofuels.
  2. How can biomass energy initiatives further realize the potential of using wood and agricultural residues?
  3. How can the gap between the production costs of bio-fuels and competing products be bridged?

Bioenergy Information Network
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Electronic Auto Association

The EAA is a non-profit educational organization that promotes the advancement and widespread use of electric vehicles.

  1. How can electric cars be mass produced in a cost efficient manner?
  2. How can the public be further educated on the progress and benefits of electric vehicle technology?

Electronic Auto Association
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

European Wind Energy Association

The EWEA promotes the use of wind power in Europe and worldwide. Members are from over 40 countries and include companies, associations, and research institutions.

  1. How can the enormous potential of offshore wind farms be harnessed?
  2. How can Europe create a true single market for electricity?
  3. How can a visible promotion campaign extend the perceived viability of renewable energy?

European Wind Energy Association
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Renewable Natural Resources Foundation

RNRF is a consortium of professional, scientific, and educational organizations. RNRF is dedicated to advancing sciences and public education in renewable natural resources.

  1. How can citizen groups and relevant non-governmental organizations empower companies that market renewable energy?
  2. How can municipalities and their distribution utilities promote the awareness and expand the use of renewable energy sources?

Renewable Natural Resources Foundation
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

The Energy and Resources Institute

The Institute is dedicated to creating an environment that empowers problem-solvers to develop solutions to global problems in the fields of energy, environment, and current patterns of development.

  1. How can cooperation on energy planning and integrated resource planning with emerging economies be encouraged and enhanced on a regional, national and/or global level?
  2. How can the priority given to renewable energies in existing community policies, programs and budgets be improved?
  3. How can legislation promoting the use of renewable energy sources be improved?

The Energy and Resources Institute
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

World Energy Council

The WEC promotes the sustainable supply and use of energy. WEC has member committees in over 90 countries.

  1. How can a “meta-network” effectively integrate the various networks, communities, associations, companies, and agencies which are dedicated to promoting the use of renewable energy?
  2. Europe is the world leader in wind energy; how can the inhabitants of the other continents catch up?

World Energy Council
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

The Environment


Organization

Center for Environmental Leadership in Business

This Center provides environmental leadership related to biodiversity conservation for businesses.

  1. What new incentives can you envision for companies to create solutions for reducing the ecological impacts of soy cultivation?
  2. How can incentives for biodiversity conservation in food production and fish sourcing be further encouraged and promoted?

Center for Environmental Leadership in Business
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Ceres

Ceres is a large coalition of investor, environmental and public interest organizations in North America.

  1. How can capitalism and sustainability further complement each other?
  2. How can companies such as Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, American Electric Power, AVEDA and General Mills receive adequate recognition for their sustainability efforts?

Ceres
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Compost Resource Page

This website is designed to be a hub for all composting information.

  1. How can your community benefit from the practice of composting?
  2. How can the Kitchen Composter by NatureMill be better marketed and promoted?

Compost Resource Page
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Convention on Biodiversity Clearing-House Mechanism

The Convention on Biological Diversity is a “clearinghouse mechanism that represents a collaborating network of partners facilitating scientific and technical cooperation.”

  1. How can the 2010 Biodiversity Target of a significant reduction of global biodiversity loss be met?
    Devise a plan.
  2. What can you do to ensure that your nation is reviewing its national biodiversity strategy in relation to the Strategic Plan for the Convention on Biological Diversity?

Convention on Biodiversity Clearing-House Mechanism
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Council for Textile Recycling

The Council on Textile Recycling addresses issues concerning recycling, recyclability and source reduction.

  1. How can the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles (SMART) gain the public’s support?
  2. How can government agencies be educated in a manner that leads to the further implementation of textile recycling practices?

Council for Textile Recycling
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Earth Day Network

EDN promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide.

  1. How can you promote earth day?
  2. How can you promote events that are carbon neutral?

Earth Day Network
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Environmental Organization Web Directory

The Environment Directory is one of the Earth’s biggest environmental search engines.

  1. How can the “earth’s biggest environmental search engine” be further utilized?
  2. How can a business thrive while restoring a brownfield?

Environmental Organization Web Directory
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment

FREE is an organization “dedicated to social change that harmonizes environmental quality with responsible liberty and economic progress.”

  1. How can low-cost, environmentally sound, profitable water purification take place in underdeveloped nations?
  2. What are the respective advantages and disadvantages of ethanol use?

Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Global Environmental Management Initiative

GEMI promotes “business helping business improve environmental, health and safety performance, shareholder value and corporate citizenship.”

  1. What further actions can be taken to promote water sustainability?
  2. How can the Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) be further promoted?

Global Environmental Management Initiative
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Global Forest and Trade Network

The GRTN “creates market conditions that help preserve the world’s forests while providing economic and social benefits for the businesses and people that depend on them.”

  1. How can illegal logging be minimized or even eradicated?
  2. What are the principles of responsible forestry?

Global Forest and Trade Network
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Global International Waters Assessment

GIWA is a water program led by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) with the objective to produce a comprehensive and integrated global assessment of international waters.

  1. What can be done to ensure international cooperation regarding transboundary waters?
  2. Critique the GIWA Final Report launched at the UNEP Governing Council.

Global International Waters Assessment
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Global Response

The mission of Global Response is to “empower people of all ages, cultures, and nationalities to protect the environment by creating partnerships for effective citizen action.”

  1. Write a letter supporting Global Response’s efforts to organize an international letter-writing campaign to help communities prevent environmental destruction (see Global Response home page for further directions).
  2. How can wetlands in Kenya be protected?

Global Response
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Green Products Alliance

Green Products Alliance is a consortium of markets and manufacturers who make and sell natural personal care products.

  1. How can your company network with the green products alliance?
  2. How can Vermont Soap Organics be rewarded for sponsoring the green products alliance website?

Green Products Alliance
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Green Seal

Green Seal is “an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to safeguarding the environment while transforming the marketplace.”

  1. How can you get your product or service certified as “environmentally friendly” by Green Seal?
  2. What can be done to further promote a new consumer soap standard?

Green Seal
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

International Society for Ecological Economics

ISEE is “a not-for-profit member governed organization dedicated to advancing understanding of the relationships between ecological, social and economic systems for the mutual well-being of nature and people.”

  1. Which teaching materials provided by The International Society for Ecological Economics did you find most useful?
  2. Critique the website of one of the Society’s Regional Societies.
    What did you most enjoy about it?
    How can it be improved?

International Society for Ecological Economics
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

World Changing: Tools, Models and Ideas for Building a Bright Green Future

WorldChanging.com “works from a simple premise: that the tools, models and ideas for building a better future lie all around us.”

  1. How can China’s environmental challenges be assisted by foreign businesses?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages to “buying personal carbon offsets”?

World Changing
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Worldwatch Institute

The Worldwatch Institute “offers a unique blend of interdisciplinary research, global focus, and accessible writing” related to environmental, economic and social trends.”

  1. How can China’s State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) be supported by foreign investors in its quest to promote the use of “green power”?
  2. How can the U.S. deemphasize its reliance on the consumption of oil products?

Worldwatch Institute
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

World Forestry Center

The mission of the World Forestry Center “is to educate and inform people about the world’s forests and trees, and their importance to all life, in order to promote a balanced and sustainable future.”

  1. What incentives do you suggest for increasing the global investment in forestland?
  2. How can you assist the World Forestry Center?

World Forestry Center
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

World Resources Institute

The WRI “provides independent, non-partisan expertise and guidance to policymakers on climate change technology.”

  1. What can be done to further develop the cost efficiency of climate change technology?
  2. How can your organization assist the efforts of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP)?

World Resources Institute
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Responsible Architecture


Organization

Builders Without Borders

Builders Without Borders “is an international network of ecological builders who advocate the use of straw, earth and other local affordable materials in construction.”

  1. How can affordable housing be profitably provided to indigent households on a regional, national, or even global level?
  2. What is the biggest barrier to building affordable, sustainable housing?

Builders Without Borders
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

International Institute for Sustainable Development

The IISD “champions sustainable development around the world through innovation, partnerships, research and communications.”

  1. What will it take for Canada to become a clean energy leader?
  2. How does soil affect global change?

International Institute for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Sustainable Build

Sustainable Build is a UK resource “formed to offer a unique reference point on green construction techniques and advice.”

  1. How can entrepreneurs promote green construction in the UK?
  2. What are the greatest challenges associated with eco-housing (houses built in accordance with the principles of sustainable development)?

Sustainable Build
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

Sustainable Development Online

Sustainable Development Online provides access to significant Sustainable Development web sites.

  1. Which websites from this site are the most helpful?
    Why?
  2. How can sustainable development be a profitable venture?

Sustainable Development Online
Sustainable Business Practice Questions

World Green Building Council

The “WorldGBC supports national Green Building Councils whose common mission is to create a sustainable built environment through market transformation.”

  1. What is the most important technological breakthrough supporting sustainable development today?
  2. How can the annual World Sustainable Building Conference gain greater support?

World Green Building Council
Sustainable Business Practice Questions