2Sustain

More than half (54 percent) of companies responding to a recent survey by Tompkins Supply Chain Consortium say they are pursuing or have pursued green certification for their business facilities. Most (46 percent) think green certification will lead to lower maintenance requirements. Others cite reasons such as increasing credibility (38 percent), maximizing return on investment (33 percent), using guidance and advice from rating companies (21 percent), and coordinating management practices (13 percent).

These results are included in Tompkins Supply Chain Consortium’s recently released “Facility Sustainability Survey Report,” which concludes that companies are growing increasingly focused on green initiatives at their facility locations.

For instance, data from the report shows that: (more…)

Back in August, in my post “Do You Know Your Forest Footprint?,” I mentioned that the Forest Footprint Disclosure (FFD) Project planned to release an annual report of “best-in-class” corporations in early 2010.

Well, those results are in, and they show –for the first time ever –how 35 different companies are tackling the issue of sustainable sourcing of Forest Risk Commodities (FRCs), such as palm oil, soy, timber, beef, leather and biofuels. (Read the full 64-page report here.)

The FFD Project sent its disclosure request was sent to 217 high profile international companies, selected by Fortune 500 status and exposure to FRCs. The questionnaire asked for information in 11 key sections, including Risk Assessment, Sustainable Supply Chain Development and Support and Governance Process. All told, 35 companies –including global leaders such as British Airways, BMW, Travis Perkins, L’Oréal, Weyerhaeuser, Kingfisher, Adidas, Nike, Mondi and Unilever –disclosed in response to this first approach. (more…)

Tesco, Britain’s biggest retailer, is continuing to set aggressive environmental targets, despite the lack of clear government guidance, Chief Executive Terry Leahy told Reuters earlier this week.

In fact, the company plans to spend more than 100 million pounds ($159 million) with British green technology companies over the coming year as it moves forward with its drive to cut carbon emissions in half by 2020.

In the Reuters article, Leahy admits that it would be better to have “clear binding targets” (set by governments).  But, since we’re currently operating in a “political vacuum,” businesses will have to take the lead and set their own, he says. (more…)

I’m finding it increasingly difficult to sort fact from fiction when it comes to sustainable seafood.

For years now, researchers have been warning about the collapse of our marine ecosystems, and we’ve all seen the reports about the fisheries practices and failed management systems that have significantly depleted global fish populations. By some estimates, we’ve already pushed as much as 75% of the world’s fisheries beyond the limits of sustainability.

So, now a variety of ecolabels and sustainability certification programs have cropped up to help both consumers and seafood companies make purchasing decisions based on ‘green’ criteria. But, what exactly makes a credible and practical seafood ecolabel? Since there is no universally accepted label or certification program, how can buyers be confident in their choices? (more…)

It’s becoming increasingly commonplace for companies to present environmental information on their websites, but most can do better on data substance and timeliness, according to new research from AltaTerra Research.

The new report, “Greening the Company Website: A New Era in Sustainability Reporting,” details the results from a study of the websites of 60 recognized corporate sustainability leaders, representing 13 different industries.

Here are a few findings that caught my eye: (more…)