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More than 300 different organizations claim to certify organizations, facilities, processes products or services as “green” or “sustainable.” The alphabet soup of organizations and certifications seems to have no limits, with new rankings, ratings and indexes seemingly appearing on the scene almost monthly.
So what is an organization to do?
The first and most important step is research – not all ratings are created equal. Some ratings are frighteningly rigorous, others are “pay to play” and you’re in, and most others are somewhere in between. Some are geared to investors while others are consumer-oriented. Some systems you apply for, while others evaluate you without your knowledge and decide whether you’re worthy of being listed. Some work hard to include you but may be quick to drop you if you fall below certain criteria. Some won’t even consider you if you’re in businesses involved in animal testing, tobacco, weapons, alcohol and gambling. Some factor “reader opinions” into their ratings.
Once you have done your own research, if you’re interested, the ideal next step is to consult with a sustainability expert (in-house or external resource) to help you determine which rankings, ratings and indexes fit your business, goals and strategies. For many organizations, for example, the best opportunities will lie in pursuing sector-specific listings (e.g. sector indexes associated with the Dow Jones Sustainability Index). Many organizations also find it helpful to use the ranking systems for benchmarking and planning – even if they’re not going to proactively participate in the systems.
Here are some good places to start the research:
- Dow Jones Sustainability Index
- Carbon Disclosure Project
- KLD 400
- Calvert Social Index
- Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World
- Green Good Housekeeping Seal
- Good Company Seal
- U.S. Green Building Council
- Walmart Sustainability Index
What rating systems do you look at?
Sustainability communications is front and center in the preliminary report resulting from this summer’s Sustainable Cleveland 2019 summit.
Among the 28 recommended initiatives are:
- Development of comprehensive communications and branding program
- A campaign to engage the region’s 1.6 million people
- Creation of a public compact called “The Cleveland Promise” for individuals and organizations to sign and adhere to
- Extensive networking, partnerships and collaboration
These are in addition to technical initiatives related to advanced energy, green buildings, healthy living, local foods, business innovation, transportation, land use, waste to profit, and water.
Kudos to summit leaders for recognizing the value of communications now and on ongoing basis.
The possible next steps coming out of Cleveland’s Sustainability Summit, chaired by Mayor Frank Jackson, were wide-ranging – a mix of the immediate and the longer term; the feasible and the unusual; and the visionary and, of course, the outlandish. Here’s a sampling (with no bias as to which ideas fit in which categories):
1. A pledge to lead, and encourage others to lead, a sustainable life; with the pledge punctuated by “so be it.”
2. Introduction of a “GrOhio” program with the goal of training 10,000 farmers to grow 10 percent of Ohio’s food within 10 years.
3. Creation of a Freshwater Institute to capitalize on Cleveland’s Lake Erie waterfront.
4. Development of an advanced energy center and sustainable design and manufacturing center.
5. Designation of Cleveland to Toledo as an alternative energy corridor.
6. A citywide commitment to green buildings, including new buildings and retrofits.
7. Creation of an economic development fund for sustainability; successful entrepreneurs would pay back the money they receive so the funds could be recycled for additional entrepreneurs.
8. A “waste to profit” program, including making insulation out of phone books and other common waste.
9. A traveling road show to take the sustainability message and tools into neighborhoods and other small group settings.
Last week’s Sustainability Summit in Cleveland produced 1,000s of ideas for building a sustainable Cleveland, “a green city on a blue lake.” That brings up the question, “What is a sustainable city?”
Based on what we discussed last week and my own experiences, here is my top 10 list of important traits:
1. Increasing generation and use of renewable energy, striving toward 25 percent
2. Primary and secondary education that produces smart kids and good citizens
3. Access to, and enjoyment of, natural resources including green space and waterfront
4. Solid corporate citizens operating and expanding their businesses
5. Entrepreneurs who create “green” jobs and sustainable products and services
6. Modern public transit system and efficient, well-designed highway system
7. A strong urban core, safe urban neighborhoods and suburbs that feel connected to the urban core
8. Strong, active coalition of green building advocates
9. Personal, professional and organizational ways to get involved in the movement
10. Metrics for tracking progress – “What gets measured, gets done”
What does your list look like? What cities are doing the best job? What other cities might emerge as leaders?
