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August 23, 2010 by Gregg
Pollution in China may decrease as a result of a recent environmental decision by the central government. But it sure isn’t being done in the spirit of sustainability, which balances economic growth, and environmental and social responsibility.
Earlier this month, as reported today by USA Today, the Chinese central government ordered 2,087 firms producing steel, coal, cement, aluminum, glass and other materials to close their old and obsolete plants and production capacity by the end of September – or risk having bank loans frozen and power cut off. Authorities in one province have reportedly already cut off electricity to more than 500 factories for a month after they failed to meet emission reduction targets.
Observers say the decision is designed to boost China’s “green” credentials in advance of global climate talks next year in Copenhagen. Some environmentalists will no doubt applaud the announcement and push for more closings and stricter thresholds. (Only in China, I hope.)
For the rest of us, this is another teachable moment. The idea of sustainability’s Three Ps – People, Planet, Profit/Prosperity – is far from universally accepted. And business leaders, no matter where in the world they do business, are among those in the best position to help make the case that sustainability requires economic growth, and environmental and social responsibility. And then go out and prove it – even in China.
July 15, 2010 by Gregg
As industries go, solar power is in a pretty good position. It’s a leading source of renewable energy, it creates jobs, it’s accessible to a wide variety of businesses, communities and people, and it has made no major mistakes along the way.
And, still, it appears to be feeling under-supported and under-appreciated.
How else to explain the existence of the USA Solar Bill of Rights?
Created by the Solar Energy Industries Association, the document outlines eight rights SEIA believes are needed to “create a policy environment that allows solar to compete on a level playing field with fossil fuel sources.” Here they are:
- Americans have the right to put solar on their homes or businesses and local restrictions should not be used to prevent them from doing so.
- Americans have the right to connect their solar energy system to the grid with uniform national interconnection standards.
- Americans have the right to Net Meter and be compensated at the very least with full retail electricity rates for any excess electricity generation.
- The solar industry has the right to a fair competitive environment, which includes federal government subsidies that match any subsidies that have been provided for fossil fuels.
- The solar industry has the right to produce clean energy on public lands. The industry currently has no permits for public lands.
- The solar industry has the right to sell its power across a new, 21st century transmission grid, which would connect areas rich in solar resources with major population centers.
- Americans have the right to buy solar electricity from their utility, which SEIA believes should be required to offer solar power to their customers who want it.
- Americans have the right to – and should expect – the highest ethical treatment from the solar industry, which includes open communications and a commitment to minimize its environmental impact.
Thus far, more than 2,300 people have signed the bill of rights. You can review the bill of rights online and also sign the “Glōbama” petition calling for the Obama Administration to accept Sungevity’s offer to donate and install a comprehensive solar system on the White House.
The industry will probably get more support for its positions over time, and it will need a lot of mainstream and Main Street champions. But this bill of rights? It’s like asking for the sun, moon and stars all at once.
July 09, 2010 by Gregg
LeBron James and the Cavs were not able to bring a championship to Cleveland. And no other major sports team in Cleveland has been able to do it for 50 years. Maybe professional sports is not really the way forward.
Some in Cleveland are putting a lot of faith in sustainability – engaging the region’s 1.6 million people in “building an economic engine to create a green city on a blue lake.”
For more information on what’s going on in Cleveland – non-sports-wise – check out:
New video from Sustainable Cleveland 2019
The Cleveland Commitment, available for download and signature by individuals and families
City of Cleveland’s new sustainability Web site
Sustainable Cleveland 2019 blog
Sustainability – can it make us a winner? What’s more important – the journey or the destination?
July 01, 2010 by Gregg
“You get what you pay for” and “there’s nothing like being there.” Those adages may be true in many cases, but here’s an exception: yesterday’s “Engage CSR 2010” virtual conference, sponsored by PR Newswire and CSRwire.
Titled “The Growth of Corporate Social Responsibility in a Socially Connected World,” the free online conference was a mix of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social media best practices. The speaker lineup was as good as you’ll find at any premium conference: Mike Wallace of the Global Reporting Initiative; sustainability experts from Merck, Intel, Microsoft, Campbell’s Soup, BT Group and UPS; and several widely renowned, highly engaged consultants. And there were more than 1,000 attendees.
Over the course of 5½ hours, there were two keynote presentations and four panel discussions. The best moments came in many forms:
- GRI reported a sixfold increase in CSR reporting over the last 10 years. About 4,000 companies will report in 2010; 76,000 transnational companies won’t report.
- CRD Analytics presented data on the heavy correlation among corporate brand performance, financial performance and CSR performance.
- BT explained the role of an external leadership panel in its CSR program; members are encouraged to say what’s on their minds.
- Intel said social media enables the company to include “the good, the bad, but not necessarily the ugly” in its CSR communications.
- Several speakers mentioned the trends of adding CSR data to annual reports and adding financial data to CSR reports.
If you’re interested in reviewing the archived presentations, click here for free access. It will be 5½ hours very well spent. And don’t let the price fool you.
June 23, 2010 by Gregg
Last year, in this blog space, we introduced the concept of “greenblushing,” a ThreePs original based on experiences with companies that are shy in talking about their sustainability efforts. And it resonated with a lot of organizations and individuals.
Here is another one for you – “glocal” or “glocalization,” and, no, these are not typos of local or globalization. These are not brand new but also not widely communicated so far. The concepts apparently originated from within Japanese business practices in the 1980s, according to Wikipedia and Investopedia entries. The term “glocal” refers to organizations and individuals who are willing and able to think globally and act locally; they see their local situation, needs and opportunities in a global context.
You’re going to be hearing more about these ideas in sustainability and economic development circles. The optimistic view is that the glocalization movement will create better linkages between local opportunities and challenges, and their global counterparts (especially in the area of economic development). It sounds great, but it will be a tough concept for many to embrace - can the economically advantaged and disadvantaged really get along?
While we’re at it, here are some other concepts and terms that you may want to start following (while the definitions are still developing): “resilience,” “whole systems accounting” (or “holistic accounting”), “disruptive technologies,” and “the triple top line.”
What emerging concepts and terms do you find intriguing and why?
June 16, 2010 by Gregg
One of the lasting impressions from last month’s WINDPOWER 2010 event is the involvement of “Big Oil” in the wind energy industry.
Sure, the trade show booths of ExxonMobil and Shell were in the back corner of the exhibit hall – which suggests they have become exhibitors in recent years and probably decided late to exhibit at this year’s event. But they were there, and their interest in the industry is wider than you might think.
As energy companies, they operate wind farms just like they do oil fields. They also have a significant business in supplying oil-based lubricants to keep the wind turbines turning and all the parts working together.
Fossil fuel may be their bread and butter for a long time, but alternative energy is also on their plates.
June 10, 2010 by Gregg
Breaking into and succeeding in the wind energy supply chain is not easy. The performance criteria are necessarily stringent, the customers are rightfully demanding and the investment required is often daunting.
Workshops, seminars, consultants and strategic relationships are all part of the mix.
GLWN is an international wind energy supply chain advisory group and network of manufacturers and suppliers whose mission is to increase the domestic content of North America’s wind turbines. GLWN is hosting its Advanced Wind Workshop on June 16, 2010 in Kettering, Ohio (near Dayton). This workshop is designed for companies that provide products and services for wind farm development, construction, or operations and maintenance, or if you can manufacture fabricated or composite parts for a wind turbine.
Click for registration information.
June 03, 2010 by Gregg
My previous post about last week’s WINDPOWER 2010 show in Dallas highlighted the advanced energy enthusiasm in and for Northeast Ohio. It is very real and great to see the current energy and positive long-term outlook.
There were other geographies for sure that captured the attention of attendees and exhibitors. In fact, more than a dozen states and several ports, cities, provinces and countries were on hand to tout their wind-worthiness. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), 36 states now have wind energy projects.
The host state of Texas is number one in installed wind turbine capacity – and its supporters made sure everyone knew about it. Iowa, with 78 wind farms, currently ranks second and is accelerating its progress – and not giving up on its dream to be number one.
Europe is always well represented, but the overwhelming impression was provided by the large and growing Asian presence at the show. Of the more than 1,300 exhibitors, well over 100 were Asia-based organizations, coming from the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Korea and India, and covering virtually every part of the wind energy industry value chain. There were more than 40 organizations from China alone, plus dozens of multinationals whose wind strategy is directly linked to their China strategy.
One Chinese company, Mingyang Wind Power Industry Group Co., Ltd., which describes itself as the third-largest wind energy company in China, made a splash by announcing the opening of its U.S. operations based in Dallas. The wind turbine manufacturer is starting with an office but plans to build and operate manufacturing centers in the U.S., most likely starting in Dallas. The company aims to become the world’s most affordable provider of wind energy services.
In any language, the message was clear: Global competition in wind energy is becoming fierce, and China, relative newcomer status aside, is right in the middle of that competition.
May 27, 2010 by Gregg
Northeast Ohio continues to emerge as a hot spot for advanced energy activity and inspiration.
This week at WINDPOWER 2010 in Dallas, Northeast Ohio was a center of attention. On Monday, GE and Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation announced a long-term partnership to make Lake Erie the site of the first fresh water offshore wind farm in the United States.
In addition, more than 40 Northeast Ohio companies – companies of all sizes and areas of expertise – were represented at the show, and they were doing business. Many of our largest and brightest corporate citizens – including Timken, Sherwin-Williams, Lincoln Electric, Parker Hannifin, Eaton Corporation, Applied Industrial Technologies – were there. They are already serving this growing industry and finding opportunities to do more.
The public sector and partnership organizations were also well represented – including Gov. Ted Strickland, the Ohio Department of Development, collaboration champion NorTech Energy Enterprise, The Cleveland Foundation, and supply chain leader GLWN.
WINDPOWER 2010 is the fastest-growing trade show in North America, with approximately 1,400 exhibitors and 24,000 attendees at this year’s event. And Northeast Ohio was a main attraction at the four-day event.
May 20, 2010 by Gregg
The largest alternative energy conference in North America will be held next week – WINDPOWER 2010 in Dallas.
Watch for a lot of news coming out of the conference – additional manufacturing capacity, new development deals, expanded relationships, new products and services, and public policy proposals and ramifications.
Several Dix & Eaton clients will be making significant announcements and we’ll have the updates here on the blog and on Twitter (@threeps). Also, follow @aweaevents and the hashtag #wp10 for all show developments, courtesy of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
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