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12 October 2012Rocky Mountain Institute NSC membership

Posted by David Burns

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Whoisgreen recommends RMI and joining the National Solutions Council (membership) to network and learn about sustainability, efficiency, and renewables in the following market sectors: industry, transport, buildings, and electricity generation.

Photo Credit: Official RMI NSC logo.

The Whoisgreen founder, David Burns, has been featured today in the Rocky Mountain Institute newsletter 'Outlet'. The Rocky Mountain Institute is the world's leading organisation advancing design, super efficiency, affordability in renewables, and public information to help the world become sustainable.

The Rocky Mountain Institute's style is non-adversarial and trans-ideological, emphasizing integrative design, advanced technologies, and mindful markets. RMI employs 80+ scientists and technologists working extensively with the private sector, as well as with civil society and government, to create abundance by design and to apply the framework of natural capitalism.

Read why Whoisgreen founder David Burns chose to join RMI's NSC - featured in RMI Outlet. Reinventing Fire is RMI's blueprint for the United States to define achievable pathways for running a 158%-bigger economy by 2050 without oil, no coal, and zero nuclear energy.

28 May 2012Acceptable Types of Certification for Products & Services

Posted by David Burns

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Photo Credit: iStockphoto.

External Certification tells customers a lot about your business and your products. The following Certification Labels (green products) and Certification Systems (business services) are suitable examples of third party certification to obtain the maximum level of Green Credentials (4th Green Star) required to optimize search results on Whoisgreen. Green Credentials help consumers identify authentic claims made by business offerings.

A. Suitable Certification Labels for green products include (requires a valid certificate and expiry period) -

1. Various Providers - ISO14023 (Environmental labels & declarations, including testing & verification),

2. Various Providers - ISO14044 (LCA environmental aspects and potential impacts of a product throughout its life cycle),

3. Various Providers - Environmental Product Declaration (transparent information label combining data from ISO14025 & ISO14040-Series),

4. Various Providers - ISO14051 (material flow cost accounting which includes stock, energy & water inputs and outputs),

5. LEED Certification - USGBC (residential & commercial buildings).

6. Marine Stewardship Council certification for sustainable seafood products.

7. Forestry Stewardship Council certification for sustainable timber products.

Other external third party certifications may be eligible to participate as an acceptable certification label or system by submitting a request to info@whoisgreen.com.

B. Suitable Certification Systems for business services include (requires a valid certificate and expiry period) -

1. Various Providers - ISO9001 (Quality Management System),

2. Various Providers - ISO14001 (Environmental Management System),

3. Various Providers - ISO18000 (OH&S Management System).

Other external third party certifications may be eligible to participate as an acceptable certification label or system by submitting a request to info@whoisgreen.com.

28 May 2012Understanding the Seven Stages of Sustainability

Posted by David Burns

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Photo Credit: iStockphoto.

Most organizations navigate through Seven Stages of Sustainability over an extended period (planned or unplanned) in an effort to achieve optimal performance. The initial stages form the Awareness Phase, whereas the latter stages combine to represent the important implementation or Action Phase, that deliver business outcomes such as reduced operational costs, improved environmental performance, and support for & from employees & customers.

A. The Awareness Phase is characterized by Opinions & News, Skepticism, and Greenwashing. The duration of each stage within the Awareness Phase is dependent upon access to education, affordability, and acceptance of finding better ways to improve a business's opportunities.

Stage-1: Exposure to Opinions and News.
Opinions and News are powerful influences of people. The Evening News, Newspaper, and Social Media generally provide most people with their sources of information which can be biased or limited to the journalist's local knowledge and persuasion.

Typical duration: Years.

Stage-2: Skepticism.
Skeptics are people who tend to require more information or may object to a specific response. Skepticism is an essential part of scientific method commonly referred to as scrutiny. Skeptics, however, must be willing to accept facts once there is overwhelming evidence beyond reasonable doubt. Without collaboration from two sides, scaled outcomes are rarely achieved, which is why I believe skeptics shall eventually be persuaded to adopt outcomes driven by economics, as the actions of climate change adaptation and business performance are mostly identical.

Typical duration: Years.

Stage-3: Greenwashing.

Greenwashing is undoubtedly the most controversial stage that all businesses transition through. Mature businesses having established efficiencies, environmental management systems, certified green products, and who may monitor sustainable performance metrics shall find it difficult to accept that others are still deciphering what sustainability means and how to develop their own sustainable response. However, once business leaders realize that uneducated claims do not translate into success, businesses are likely to either refrain from making unfounded claims, or initiate a sustainable transformation so that future claims can be supported by third party certified facts.

Typical duration: Years.

Third party certifications such as ISO certifications & Environmental Product Declarations based upon product specific life-cycle assessment is the only way to differentiate product claims to consumers. We must remember that consumers are not engineers nor scientists, so complex environmental labeling needs to be communicated to 'Mums & Dads' in simple terms.

B. The Action Phase is characterized by Education, Efficiency, Sustainability, & Restorative Sustainability. These are the transformational stages that provide a business with the skills and ability to become resilient and respect resources, people, and biodiversity.

Stage-4: Education.

Identifying internal and external business skills to drive transformational change within a business is the most important aspect that business leadership undertakes. Very few businesses shall possess the necessary skill set required to manage a sustainable transformation. The Rocky Mountain Institute's National Solutions Council is a great way to connect to the experts and other companies that have initiated sustainability initiatives. Formal education, collaboration with external organizations and consultants comprise the many options available, however, having access to one central group to refer ideas with can provide a fantastic reference point, and for me this organization is the Rocky Mountain Institute.

Typical duration: 12 Months & Ongoing.

Stage-5: Efficiency.

Efficiency refers to energy and resources. Businesses and organizations that are considered to be efficient possess systems, designs, materials, employees that are not wasteful, nor over-engineered. Eliminating wasteful consumption is the first active step of sustainability, requiring little more than behavioral changes to be initiated.

Typical duration: 2-5 years.

Stage-6: Sustainability.

A Sustainable business has reached the position where all business units and departments have a detailed understanding of all consumption metrics which are fully offset by an internal capacity to regenerate resources at the same level that are consumed by the business operation. Regenerative resources may include, but not limited to rainwater harvesting, renewable energy creation, and inventive supply chains such as closed-loop recycling.

Typical duration: 5-20 Years, (depending upon the size of the business).

Stage-7: Restorative Sustainability.

A Restorative business is an aspirational position to pursue, noting that only a few businesses shall achieve such a benchmark in the current economic climate.

As compared to a Sustainable Business described above, a Restorative Business regenerates more renewable resources than they consume during their business activities. A Restorative Business would be expected to rely heavily on upfront design, biomimicry, green chemistry & sustainable engineering principles to achieve functionality.

Typical duration: Timeless Commitment.

19 January 2012Customer Feedback

Posted by David Burns

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Photo Credit: iStockphoto.

This educational-blog provides information to help you answer, "Does Your Business Ask Your Customers for Feedback on Initiatives they would like in Future?", used towards earning your 3rd Whoisgreen Star.

What is It?

This question is so simple, yet it is often the most overlooked business task in existence! Regular communication with your customers requiring feedback about your services and products is critical. In a World Going-Green, ask your customers what types of initiatives they expect you to provide in the future such as: online product browsing, comparisons, environmental and social information, environmentally friendly care instructions, recycling instructions, and optional delivery? The opportunities to help your customers is huge!

What Can I Do?

Listen to what your customers say. This includes online-surveys, customer visits, email, and post service revision updates as a social media status update. Also make sure your supply chain understands what you need from them to help you satisfy your customers expectations.

How Do I Start?

1. Set a regular time to meet with your customer to discuss your business service. Remember that your customers time is precious and don't overburden them with unnecessary visits and emails.
2. Ask if your customers are influenced by the environmental & social aspects of your products and services.
3. Ask if chemicals and material safety pose risks to their supply chain.
4. Offer your contact details for comments outside of the regular scheduled meetings.
5. Always be available to listen to your customers.

19 January 2012Education

Posted by David Burns

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This educational-blog provides information to help you answer, "Does Your Business provide Education for your employees regarding Resource Efficiency and Sustainability?", used towards earning your 3rd Whoisgreen Star.

What is It?

Education is the key to acquiring knowledge & understanding. Integration and success occurs in a collaborative environment.

Green Education focuses on acquiring skills and knowledge needed to lead businesses into a World Going-Green. As the world gets bigger, more competitive, and relies on diminishing natural resources, business leaders shall become more reliant upon the benefits of efficiency, renewables, and comparative intensity metrics. Education can be formal qualifications, or acquired through membership networks that provide open source information that help businesses initiate sustainability.

In particular, Resource Efficiency refers to the the degree of utilization of materials and processes required to make "Stuff". If you have ever wondered where your “Stuff” comes from, then you may have thought about the effects of supply chains on local cultures and environments. Education provides the information that we all need to make the right decisions. Knowledge about where raw materials come from, how they are put together to make a product and where discarded stuff ends up provides ideas to improve business processes to save and conserve.

What Can I Do?

Identify the people in your organization that have the passion to learn about Resource Efficiency and Sustainability. Ensure that at least one senior manager having financial responsibilities for the business is included in this group. Make a list of the groups and organizations within your local area to network and begin acquiring information on how to increase your companies sustainability knowledge.

The founder of Whoisgreen (David Burns) attributes his ongoing understanding and thirst for innovation to his NSC Membership with the Rocky Mountain Institute, and the many inspirational people that form part of this organization.

How Do I Start?

1. Identify existing sustainability and recycling skills within your organization.
2. Create a team to develop an understanding of sustainability and how the business's performance can be optimised.
3. Advise your senior management and staff of new information acquired and invite your procurement team feel free to ask you for questions.
4. Undertake annual internal audits, and consider mentoring from external business friends.
5. Visit iconic annual exhibitions such as “Greenbuild” to see and speak with other businesses.
6. Focus on Reduce - Repair - Reuse - Recycle - Recover.
7. Consider formal education of key personnel, if required.

19 January 2012Community Support & Philanthropy

Posted by David Burns

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This educational-blog provides information to help you answer, "Does Your Business Support Local Community Initiatives through Social Programs?", used towards earning your 3rd Whoisgreen Star.

What is It?

It feels better to give than to take. Providing local community groups with mentoring programs, skills, space, or charitable donations. Community support often creates strong brand recognition and loyalty with consumers and helps convert into customers.

What Can I Do?

Support a cause that has a strong connection with your brand and business values. Businesses typically spend 3-7% of sales on traditional sales & marketing activities. You could consider redirecting a proportion of your sales & marketing budget towards a cause that supports one of the following: Environment, People, or Greentech Research.

How Do I Start?

1. Define your business values and consider a complimentary cause or charity to support annually.
2. Obtain tax advice from an accountant and decide if your business is offering support regardless of a taxation concession.
3. Research the various philanthropic associations or organiztions such as '1% for the Planet'.
4. Define a formula to calculate the size of the support in dollars or time invested.
5. Consider including your customers and suppliers preferences in the allocation of donations or time to your chosen cause or charity. This approach could form part of your social media strategy to build brand recognition and community recognition.

18 January 2012Social & Environmental Values

Posted by David Burns

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Photo Credit: Heron Island.

This educational-blog provides information to help you answer, "Has Your Business Defined its Social & Environmental Values?", used towards earning your 3rd Whoisgreen Star.

What is It?

Strong values in the boardroom protect diverse & vibrant ecosystems out there. Values help customers understand what is important to a business and allow customers to form an opinion about products and services on offer. Social & environmental values align products and services with the environment and community in which a business operates. A business without values, has no value, because there is no purpose or cause to motivate employees, customers, or suppliers.

What Can I Do?

Define what your business values are regarding the following considerations: Community, Energy, Water, Biodiversity, Waste, Design, and Performance (economic activity & consumption metrics). Your values will be unique and should not just copy someone else, but rather reflect the consolidation of positions held by your management, employees, customers, and supply chain that fits with the purpose of your business offering.

How Do I Start?

1. Ask the people around you to describe their relationship with the considerations mentioned above.
2. Develop a business position on each of the considerations identified above.
3. Develop individual action points to integrate your business position on the above to define your business values.
4. Inform the people around your business that your values are important, and remember to provide regular achievement updates.

18 January 2012Ethical Conduct Policy

Posted by David Burns

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This educational-blog provides information to help you answer, "Does Your Business have an Ethical Conduct Policy, including No Child Labor or Animal Testing?", used towards earning your 3rd Whoisgreen Star.

What is It?

We all know what is Right from Wrong. An Ethical Conduct Policy assists those in an organization called upon to make a decision. It defines the difference between the 'moral-right' and the 'moral-wrong' when making the decision. An Ethical Conduct Policy could evolve into a Corporate Responsibility Policy.

What Can I Do?

You can define a system that makes it fair and easy for your employees to follow when in the workplace. This system can also extend into relationships held between customers and suppliers. My favourite place to start is Paul Hawken’s best seller “Blessed Unrest”, by Penguin Books 2008. Hawken’s provides the background and reasons why we should care about others and biodiversity, offering a great foundation to appreciate this topic.

How Do I Start?

1. Read “Blessed unrest”, by Paul Hawken.
2. Involve your staff and ask what type of business do they want to be part of?
3. Ask you customers and you supply chain how they would like your business to operate.
4. Be willing to listen, compromise, and exhibit fairness.
5. Verify that your supply chain does not include child labor or animal testing activities.
6. Share the successes with employees, customers, and suppliers.
7. Look beyond the supply chain when evaluating whether a decision is right or wrong.
8. An Ethical Conduct Policy may consider, but not limited to; equal employment, health-safety-environment, harassment-free workplace, substance-free workplace, fair and humane working conditions throughout the supply chain, conflicts of interest, gifts, anti-competitive work practices, consideration of communities providing raw materials, propriety and confidentiality, use of company resources including email & internet.

18 January 2012Energy & Water Consumption Monitoring

Posted by David Burns

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Photo Credit: David Burns EMS display.

This educational-blog provides information to help you answer, "Does Your Business set Benchmark Targets to Monitor Energy & Water Consumption?", used towards earning your 3rd Whoisgreen Star.

What is It?

You can't manage what you don't monitor. Data from your utility meters can be presented in real-time on your PC, smart phone or other public-space dashboards to help you understand and manage a reduction in your energy and water consumption. Having real-time information allows you to manage your business expenses and make immediate changes if you have used more than you had planned, or make a correction to avoid a bill shock at the end of month. There are many vendors providing all sorts of solutions, including cheap outright software and hardware purchases, subscription software solutions, and energy provider services offering to pay you for every kWh saved.

What Can I Do?

Understanding your daily energy & water consumption profile helps reduce the national waste of electricity and water across city infrastructures, and makes your business more efficient, saving you money.

How Do I Start?

1. Gather your electricity, gas, and water bills from the past 12 months and record dollars spent and corresponding units of consumption per bill.
2. Graphing your electricity, gas, and water bills in dollars and consumption units each bill to identify your consumption profile and trends.
3. Determine if your consumption profile and dollars spent each month is stable, increasing, or decreasing.
4. Consider connecting your utility meter to a software solution that can read your consumption in real-time that alerts your business of unexpected consumption trends. Examples include: Budget Devices - Watts Clever (EW4008); Watts Clever for Solar (EW009); Current Cost EnviR; Modlet (Think Eco); Full Featured and Integrated Software/ Devices - Lucid Design Group (applicable across multiple sites and commercial buildings).

18 January 2012Waste Audit Strategy

Posted by David Burns

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Photo Credit: David Burns.

This educational-blog provides information to help you answer, "Does Your Business have a Strategy to Conduct Regular Waste Audits to Reduce Landfill & Energy and Water Usage?", used towards earning your 3rd Whoisgreen Star.

What is It?

Waste is a hidden resource. Waste is anything that requires extra effort, or extras in a supply chain that does not provide the customer with a tangible benefit. For example, harmful chemicals added to a raw material to preserve the integrity during storage. Waste also includes traditional sources such as trash left on the curb for collection, byproducts, discarded packaging, and missed opportunities to trade ‘left-over’ raw materials onto other businesses.

What Can I Do?

Follow the 5R’s - * Reduce * Repair * Reuse * Recycle * Recover.

How Do I Start?

1. Document ‘Inputs’ and ‘Outputs’ across all business departments, including raw materials, energy, water, transport, people, packaging etc (everything recorded as a cost on the business balance sheet). Identify the blind spots not recorded on the balance sheet as potential opportunities to reduce expenses.
2. Separate waste into labelled bins and arrange for collection.
3. Insist that packaging be recyclable, otherwise return it to the supply-chain provider.
4. Design and sell products that can be easily repaired.
5. What cant be reused should be designed to be recyclable. Check the raw materials to ensure there are no mixed materials or hazardous chemicals that make the product unsuitable for recycling.
6. Find out if valuable raw materials are locked inside the products you make, and if you can find a third party who can recover these for another life-cycle.

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