Topic: sustainable business

RELEASE: Green Power Market Development Group Announced at Clean Energy Ministerial

Michael Oko — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:36:02 -0400

Business group will help increase the uptake of renewable energy sources in India

A group of leading businesses and organizations announced the expansion of India’s Green Power Market Development Group (GPMDG) at the Clean Energy Ministerial in New Delhi. The objective of the GPMDG is to transform energy markets and enable corporate buyers to access reliable and clean energy, diversify their energy portfolios with green power, and reduce their impact on climate change.

According to the latest reports, clean energy investment dipped in 2012, but it still was nearly $270 billion, which is a five-fold increase over the past decade.

Jamshyd Godrej, Chairman of CII - Godrej GBC said, “Moving to clean energy makes good business sense—and it can be done economically so that it benefits businesses and consumers alike. This innovative partnership brings together leaders in business and the non-profit arenas so we can mobilize action while understanding the underlying financial, regulatory and environmental considerations. If done right, the partnership can really help to spur the deployment of renewable energy in India.”

The GPMDG in India already has seven businesses on board with combined market value of more than $450 billion. It is being organized by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the World Resources Institute (WRI), with the support of Shakti Foundation, Caterpillar Foundation, and US Department of Energy.

The GPMDG, which was recently launched in Bangalore, brings together renewable energy buyers, sellers and regulators together on a common platform. Its aim is to help close the supply-demand gap with renewable energy sources. GPMDG intends to integrate both utility scale and decentralized renewable energy options into industrial parks and housing developments in Bangalore.

“We need to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in order to increase access to reliable and clean energy,” said Manish Bapna, Managing Director, World Resources Institute. “Companies can help generate this growth by procuring clean energy that is less expensive than diesel-based alternatives and will soon be cheaper than grid-based alternatives. The Green Power Market Development Group can be a powerful catalyst toward reaching these goals.”

By aggregating demand through a critical mass of participants, the GPMDG helps corporate renewable energy procurement achieve greater scale. It will help companies collaborate to buy renewable energy efficiently, and not in a fragmented way. GPMDG companies can be leveraged to build demand for renewable energy procurement, support new renewable energy projects, raise awareness and influence policy. Interactions between the private sector and policymakers will explore policy solutions and identify modifications in regulatory measures which can facilitate and encourage renewable energy purchase agreements.

RELEASE: New Mapping Tool Provides Unprecedented Ability to Assess Water Risk

Lauren Zelin — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:08:10 -0500

Aqueduct provides companies with comprehensive, high-resolution picture of water risks worldwide.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) today launched a new online tool that maps water risk worldwide based on the most current, highest resolution data available. Companies, investors, and governments can use the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas to see how water stress will affect operations locally and globally, and help prioritize investments that will increase water security.

The online tool was developed by WRI, working with founding members of the Aqueduct Alliance, GE and Goldman Sachs, as well as Skoll Global Threats Fund, Shell, Bloomberg, Talisman Energy, Dow, United Technologies (UTC), DuPont, John Deere, Veolia Water, and the Dutch and Swedish governments.

The Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas is a customizable global map, based on 12 indicators of physical, regulatory, and reputational risk. In a user-friendly way, companies can now evaluate how water stress, flood occurrence, access to water, drought, and other issues may affect operations. Additionally, the global map can be tailored specifically for nine water-intense industry sectors - from oil and gas, to agriculture, to chemicals.

“Recent history is littered with companies that failed to anticipate emerging threats. Water scarcity is one such threat. Thankfully, forward-thinking business leaders are starting to get it. They understand that water risk is one of the top issues that they face,” said Andrew Steer, President, World Resources Institute. “This new platform will provide companies with comprehensive, high-resolution tools to measure water risk. It gives them an unprecedented ability to understand and better manage these risks.”

Companies have already been using earlier versions of the Aqueduct tool to understand how their operations and supply chains may be exposed to water risk. For example:

McDonalds has asked 353 of its global suppliers’ facilities to use Aqueduct to assess their local water risk;
Procter & Gamble, Owens-Corning, and AU Optronics have used Aqueduct to understand how local water supply, quality, and other risk factors may affect their global facilities, and to prioritize water efficiency and other investments;
Bank of America Merrill Lynch used Aqueduct to inform investors about water risks and opportunities in a recently released research report; and
Companies used Aqueduct to disclose and report on external water risk in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP) 2012 Global Water Report.

“Aqueduct’s global water risk map provides an innovative tool and important step forward in understanding critical water issues,” said Kyung-Ah Park, Head of the Environmental Markets Group at Goldman Sachs. “Assessing risk is challenging, and even more so with complex issues like water. Aqueduct provides a much more complete picture of the water issues affecting business globally than we’ve had before.”

Through the Atlas, users can plot the locations that matter most to them – from facilities, to suppliers, to potential new markets or proposed power plants – and compare those locations’ potential exposure to water stress and risk. They can also review maps of individual indicators, such as seasonal variability, which may be highly important to their operations.

“GE knows first-hand that water scarcity is a major challenge in many parts of the world,” said Heiner Markhoff, President and CEO of GE Water. “We’re very pleased that Aqueduct’s new global water risk maps will enhance understanding of these risks in ways that enable society to address them more effectively.”

The release of the global Water Risk Atlas is the culmination of a three-year effort by WRI to create a peer-reviewed and robust methodology for mapping complex water security around the world.

“Aqueduct’s global water risk mapping information is a valuable tool for understanding and addressing the pressing global threat of water security,” said Sylvia Lee, Water Manager, Skoll Global Threats Fund. “We understand that water is not just an environmental issue, but a real and substantial risk to communities, economies, and businesses. The new global water risk maps make it easier than ever to research and understand where in the world these risks are greatest, and where action is most needed.”

On Thursday January 31, WRI is hosting a public webinar to showcase the new Aqueduct water risk mapping tool – see information below.

On February 8, water experts from leading companies will participate in the “Water: Emerging Risks and Opportunities Summit” co-hosted by GE Power & Water, Goldman Sachs, and WRI at Goldman Sachs headquarters in New York City. For more information, contact Kevin Smith from Goldman Sachs at kevin.m.smith@gs.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Aqueduct is holding a webinar at 11:00AM ET on Thursday January 31 to introduce the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas. To register, visit http://www.wri.org/event/2013/01/webinar-wris-aqueduct-global-water-risk-mapping-tool.

ADVISORY: WRI's Stories to Watch 2013

James Anderson — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:03:26 -0500

WRI will host its 10th annual Stories to Watch event on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Dr. Andrew Steer, WRI’s President & CEO, will present insights into the big environmental and international development trends and events that will affect people and the planet in 2013.

Topics will likely include: What will the Obama Administration do to address climate and energy? How will China’s new leadership advance its goal of “ecological progress”? What countries will emerge on the forefront of sustainability? And, how will financial constraints impact businesses seeking to shift to a more sustainable pathway?

A continental breakfast will be served.

WHAT
World Resources Institute’s Stories to Watch 2013

WHO
Dr. Andrew Steer, President & CEO, World Resources Institute.

Dr. Steer is a leading expert on economic development and environmental issues. He has three decades of experience working on international development and on the front lines in Asia and Africa, and at a senior level in international policy roles.

WHERE
National Press Club
Holeman Lounge
529 14th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20045

CALL-IN INFO
USA (Toll Free): (866) 803-2143
International (Toll): + 1 (210) 795-1098

Access code: “WRI”

WHEN
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
9:00 - 10:30 a.m. ET

Use #STW2013 on Twitter.

RSVP required to press@wri.org

Sustainable Procurement of Wood and Paper-Based Products: Version 3

Sarah Parsons — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 21:03:53 -0500

Find out more at http://www.SustainableForestProducts.org.

Version 3 of this guide incorporates the most up-to-date developments on the legality of forest products, new technological developments to control wood and paper supply chains and increase their transparency, and an expanded chapter on the social implications of forest products.

Decisions regarding the purchase and use of wood and paper-based products can have far-reaching, long-term impacts on the forests where they are harvested and the people and industries that depend on those forests for their livelihoods and raw materials.

This joint WRI/WBCSD publication provides information about 10 key issues procurement managers might address as they develop and implement their procurement policies:

Origin: Where do the products come from?
Information accuracy: Is information about the products credible?
Legality: Have the products been legally produced?
Sustainability: Have forests been sustainably managed?
Special forests: Have special forests been protected?
Climate change: Have climate issues been addressed?
Environmental protection: Have appropriate environmental controls been applied?
Recycled fiber: Has recycled fiber been used appropriately?
Other resources: Have other resources been used appropriately?
Local communities and indigenous peoples: Have the needs of local communities or indigenous peoples been addressed?

The guide also characterizes a selection of helpful tools and explains the maze of terminology around sustainable forest products.

New Ventures: Voices of the Entrepreneurs

Sarah Parsons — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:20:42 -0500

Summary: Voices of the Entrepreneurs

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can account for as many as four out of five jobs and more than 29 percent of GDP in developing countries. Environmental SMEs—enterprises that capitalize on commercial opportunities while generating clear, measurable environmental benefits—have an important role in shaping growth that is both economically and environmentally sustainable.

Yet the entrepreneurs behind these environmental SMEs face many challenges that limit their ability to grow their businesses. The main roadblocks highlighted by the environmental entrepreneurs whom we interviewed were: accessing finance, attracting and maintaining quality human capital, tackling limited markets and mind-sets, overcoming unsupportive policies, coping with risk and uncertainty, and distributing their products and services. New Ventures addresses these roadblocks by empowering entrepreneurs to develop solid business plans and skills, linking entrepreneurs to networks of mentors and supporters, and showcasing entrepreneurs to investors.

There is much more to be done. The barriers that prevent environmental entrepreneurs from scaling up their businesses are far from gone, but as Earth’s resources become increasingly constrained, our future well-being will depend more than ever on the success of these entrepreneurs. In addition to accelerators like New Ventures, donors, investors, policymakers, corporations, and international development institutions will need to step up to enable greater success for environmental entrepreneurs.

A Note on New Ventures’ Transition

With strong, distinct New Ventures programs in Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, and Mexico, WRI has decided to conclude its role as global coordinator. WRI is immensely proud of New Ventures’ accomplishments and is confident that the program will reach new heights with greater local and regional independence.

STATEMENT: President Obama Elected to a Second Term

Michael Oko — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 23:04:46 -0500

Following is a statement by Andrew Steer, President, World Resources Institute:

“With his re-election, President Obama has the opportunity to fulfill the promise of his campaign and tackle the greatest challenges of our generation. At the top of the list should be climate change—which is already taking a serious toll on people, property, resources and the economy.

“After a long and bruising battle, it’s time for elected officials to get off the stump and get back to the job of governing. It’s time for America’s leaders to come together and find common ground on vital issues for people and the planet.

“In its first term, the Obama administration made real progress to reduce harmful emissions and shift the country toward cleaner energy. The administration implemented historic clean vehicle rules, proposed standards for greenhouse gas emissions for new power plants, and directed unprecedented investments in clean energy, among other achievements.

“But, these actions aren’t enough. The reality is that the Obama Administration has not yet put the country on a pathway to truly confront the climate crisis. First off, the United States needs a strong national climate and energy strategy. The president should begin by re-engaging a dialogue on climate change and identifying the actions needed to address the crisis. The president should work with Congress on national-level policies, including putting a price on carbon, to get the country on a low-carbon trajectory. In addition, the EPA, in particular, has the ability to implement new standards to reduce dangerous greenhouse gases from existing power plants. The president should reject proposals that would over-exploit America’s resources, decimate its lands, or increase its dependence on high-carbon fuels.

“Many leading businesses are looking for greater clarity to stay competitive in the global economy and take advantage of the emerging $2.3 trillion clean energy market. They need to set long-term goals, which are currently being undercut by America’s piecemeal approach on climate and energy.

“In the international arena, the Administration should take a more constructive role around the climate negotiations. President Obama has shown the power of bold leadership on big international issues—and he has the opportunity to make an ambitious international climate agreement part of his legacy.

“Since he took office, President Obama has been a champion of transparency and good governance. In particular, he spurred the creation of the Open Government Partnership, consisting of over 40 countries, to promote transparency and citizen engagement around the world. In his second term, he can help ensure that access to information and citizen engagement in government will continue unabated.

“Just last week, Hurricane Sandy delivered a crippling blow, reminding us what climate change looks like. Climate change is here and its impacts are being felt today. In its aftermath, we have seen how people can come together in times of need, set aside their differences, and focus on the big picture. We need to learn from these lessons and turn them into action.

“President Obama’s legacy will be shaped by his ability to take on big challenges, including climate change, clean energy, environmental protection, and sustainability. The next four years will determine if we will truly be able to say that this presidency moved the country ‘Forward!’”

COP 18: Doha

Kevin Lustig — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:09:59 -0400

WRI Experts at COP 18

WRI Events at COP 18

COP 18 Commentary

From November 26 to December 7, 2012, the United Nations will host the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP) in Qatar.

WRI experts will be in attendance at this latest meeting under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to help inform the talks. Here, you can find a variety of materials from the World Resources Institute that shed light on key areas of international climate policy.

WRI Resources for COP 18

RELEASE: Transition of New Ventures Global Network

James Anderson — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:46:24 -0400

After 13 years of building support for environmental entrepreneurship, the World Resources Institute will conclude its role as coordinator for the New Ventures global network at the end of 2012. WRI recognizes that the New Ventures Local Centers have built strong, distinct programs in their respective countries, and we are confident that greater local and regional independence will allow New Ventures to move into its next phase of development.

Following is a statement by Manish Bapna, Managing Director, WRI:

WRI is extraordinarily proud of New Ventures’ accomplishments and impact in enabling the growth of environmentally focused entrepreneurs in emerging markets. Founded by WRI in 1999, New Ventures has provided business development support to 362 innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) whose goods and services produce clear, measurable environmental benefits, such as clean energy, efficient water use, and sustainable agriculture. Oftentimes these goods and services address the challenges experienced by the world’s poor. New Ventures has also facilitated $290 million of investment into these SMEs, helping them scale their businesses and yield positive impacts.

WRI has been privileged to partner with expert local organizations in establishing New Ventures Local Centers in six of the world’s most dynamic emerging economies:

SMEs in emerging markets play a critical role in the economy by creating jobs and spurring growth. As the need for sustainable economic development intensifies, New Ventures enterprises continue to prove that innovative technologies and business models can deliver environmental, social, and financial returns.

Much has been accomplished in the world of entrepreneurship over the past decade, including the formation of new investment vehicles emphasizing environmental and social returns (alongside financial returns), the creation of associations and alliances that bring together key actors, and development banks’ and agencies’ capital and technical assistance commitments to pursue development solutions through private enterprise.

However, there is still much more to be done. As the world tackles environmental challenges such as water scarcity, climate change, deforestation, and pollution—against the backdrop of continuing population growth—entrepreneurs will continue to be sources of innovation and action. Organizations supporting these entrepreneurs on the ground, like the New Ventures Local Centers, will continue to play a vital role in nurturing their efforts, affording them the resources necessary to scale their impact.

New Ventures – and the entrepreneurs and investors it works with – have proven that profitable enterprises can be created and scaled while simultaneously protecting natural resources and improving livelihoods. It is a model that will endure and create pathways for many others with ambition and dedication to sustainable economic development. WRI looks forward to many more extraordinary accomplishments for New Ventures in the coming years.

ADVISORY: WRI Hosts Panels on Business Strategies, Climate Change and Green Economy at Rio+20

Michael Oko — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 08:24:08 -0400

The World Resources Institute (WRI) will host a series of panel discussions, featuring leaders in business, government and civil society, that will focus on how businesses can advance low-carbon and climate goals in the context of Rio+20.

The three panels will take place on Sunday, June 17, from 1:30 – 6:00 p.m. BRT, at Copacabana Fort in Rio de Janeiro.

Topics include: moving forward with “next practices” in business strategy, developing clean technology policies, and measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions.

Note: The third panel will include a major announcement by the British Ambassador to Brazil about a new project to manage Brazil’s agriculture sector emissions.

WHAT
Panel discussions, with high-profile leaders in business, government, and civil society, on The Green Economy: Driving Business Value and Competitiveness

WHO

Welcome & Keynote (1:30 p.m.)
Manish Bapna, Interim President, WRI

Panel #1 (2:00 – 3:15 p.m.)
Peter Madden, CEO, Forum for the Future
Kersten-Karl Barth, Director, Sustainability, Siemens
Robert ter Kuile, Senior Director Environmental Sustainability – Global Public Policy, PepsiCo
Andrew Hobday, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mars
Jennifer Morgan, Director, Climate and Energy Program, WRI

Panel #2 (3:30 – 5:00 p.m.)
Jochen Flasbarth, President, German Federal Environment Agency
Michael Liebreich, Chief Executive Officer, Bloomberg New Energy Finance
Dr. Emilio La Rovere, Head of the Center for Integrated Studies on Climate Change and the Environment at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Chief Scientific Advisor to CDKN, Brazil
I.H. Reham, Director, Social Transformation, The Energy and Resources Institute, India
Priya Barua, Research Fellow, WRI

Panel #3 (5:00 – 6:00)
Carlos Klink, Brazilian National Secretary on Climate Change and Environmental Quality
Alan Charlton, British Ambassador to Brazil
Wee Kean Fong, GHG Protocol, WRI
Kaleigh Robinson, GHG Protocol, WRI

WHERE
Copacabana Fort
Espaço das Ideias Circulantes
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

WHEN
Sunday, June 17, 2012;
1:30 – 6:00 p.m. BRT

-ENDS-

Read a blog post by Jennifer Morgan on climate change and Rio+20.

To schedule interviews, please contact: Michael Oko; Tel. (local cell): + 55 21 81 710258; moko@wri.org

Corporate Leaders and NGOs Form New Partnership to Protect Ecosystems in Brazil

James Anderson — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:47:01 -0400

Read in English below OR Ver texto em Português

A group of leading companies and non-governmental organizations have embarked on a new partnership in Brazil today to incorporate ecosystem services into business strategies. The Parceria Empresarial pelos Serviços Ecossistêmicos (PESE), or Brazilian Business and Ecosystem Services Partnership, represents a major effort to demonstrate how biodiversity and ecosystem services can enhance corporate performance in Brazil, home of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20) next month.

The goal is to develop strategies that align business performance to the sustainable management of ecosystems. Leading companies, such as Anglo American, Grupo André Maggi, PepsiCo, Vale, Votorantim and Wal-Mart, are among the first companies participating in this initiative. The partnership was organized by the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS), the Center for Sustainability Studies at the Getulio Vargas Foundation (GVces), and the World Resources Institute, with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

“Industry relies on ecosystem services, such as food production, clean water, a stable climate, protection from natural hazards, and more,” explained Craig Hanson, Director of the People and Ecosystems Program at WRI. “PESE will empower Brazilian companies to manage business risks and opportunities arising from their dependence and impacts on ecosystem services.”

The partnership will drive new business solutions to ecosystem degradation largely through local application of the Corporate Ecosystem Services Review (ESR), the leading assessment methodology developed by WRI in cooperation with the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the Meridian Institute. By applying the ESR, corporate partners will develop strategies to better compete and succeed in a world that is pushing against natural limits.

“Using the ESR, companies have been able to uncover new profitable strategies while protecting and restoring ecosystems. Our goal is to replicate these successes in Brazil,” said Marina Grossi, President of CEBDS.

One example of a company that has already experienced positive results from managing the ecosystems in which it operates is Mondi, Europe’s largest paper and pulp company. In 2008, Mondi conducted an ESR in three of its paper plantations in South Africa. The ESR highlighted strategies the company could implement to increase access to freshwater while improving regional watershed health, strengthening its relationship with local communities, and reducing operational costs.

An estimated 300 companies have already implemented the ESR worldwide since 2008. As this method gains traction in Brazil, WRI, CEBDS, and GVces will provide technical assistance and advice to corporate partners in order to enhance the quality and efficiency of applying the ESR.

The partners also aim to create a network of companies active in the management of ecosystem services in Brazil, in order to communicate results, contribute new case studies, and scale up successful strategies.

“As with the arrival of the GHG Protocol five years ago, the launch of PESE today represents another step towards sustainability for Brazilian business,” explained Mario Monzoni GVces coordinator.

Editor’s Note:

The PESE launch event will take place on May 10, 2012, from 5:00pm to 6:00pm at the Botanical Garden in Rio de Janeiro.

For more information, visit: http://insights.wri.org/pese

PESE is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of WRI, GVces, and CEBDS and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

Contact (in English)
World Resources Institute James Anderson; Janderson@wri.org; +1 (202) 729 7600

Contato (em português)
GWA Comunicação Integrada Kelly Souza; kelly.souza@gwacom.com; (11) 6620-2234

Contato (CEBDS)
In Press Porter Novelli
Tatiana Wolff; tatiana.wolff@inpresspni.com.br; (21) 3723-8095
Suzana Ribeiro; suzana.ribeiro@inpresspni.com.br; (21) 3723-8117

RELEASE: New Greenhouse Gas Standards Unveiled for Corporate Value Chain and Products in India

Lauren Zelin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:19:03 -0400

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol launched two new standards today in New Delhi, India, to empower businesses to better measure, manage, and report their greenhouse gas emissions. Developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) and Product Life Cycle Standards enable companies to save money, reduce risks, and gain competitive advantages. The launch event was hosted by WRI, WBCSD, and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), and was followed by local training workshops on the new standards.

This is the first time WRI and WBCSD have officially released GHG Protocol standards in India, though a growing number of Indian companies are already doing corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting. According to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) 2011 India Report, 57 companies submitted reports and 89% reported their GHG emissions using the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard or a protocol based on it. Given India’s significant role in the global economy, product and value chain management are becoming increasingly important, so the new standards bring multiple strategic insights and opportunities for Indian businesses.

“The new GHG Protocol standards allow Indian companies to identify and target new market opportunities for low-carbon business models and products,” said Pankaj Bhatia, Director, GHG Protocol, WRI. “Businesses will find that these standards provide state-of-art methods and tools that can be deployed not only to measure and manage GHG emissions, but also to track important co-benefits in the India context. This, in turn, can help Indian businesses reduce energy use and manage resources more effectively across the full value chain.”

Released internationally in October 2011, the Corporate Value Chain and Product Life Cycle Standards were created in response to businesses that wanted to better understand and measure their climate impacts beyond their own operations. The standards were developed with input from business leaders, NGOs, academics, and policymakers around the world. More than 2,300 participants from 55 countries contributed to the process, and 60 companies road tested the new standards. Businesses that use the GHG Protocol standards will be able to create better products and improve efficiency throughout the value chain.

“The launch of the new GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain and Product Life Cycle standards in India marks an important step in the global uptake of these important tools,” said Thierry Berthoud, Managing Director, Energy & Climate, WBCSD. “Businesses around the world increasingly understand that by measuring, reducing, and reporting on their full corporate GHG impact, they can save money, reduce risk, and drive new business opportunities.”

The Corporate Value Chain Standard reveals opportunities for companies to make more sustainable decisions about their activities and the products they produce, buy and sell. Large and small companies can look strategically at greenhouse gas emissions across their value chain, showing them where to focus limited resources to have the biggest impacts.

The Product Life Cycle Standard enables companies to measure the greenhouse gas emissions of an individual product. Covering materials, manufacturing, use and disposal, the product standard will help companies improve and design new products, and provide insights for more informed consumer choices.

“TERI has been working with the GHG Protocol since the first Corporate Standard was released in 2001, and we have worked on a pilot basis with various corporate houses to advise them about GHG emissions,” said Girish Sethi, Director-Industrial Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Technology, TERI. “These standards can help companies understand, measure, and manage their GHG emissions and work towards reducing their carbon footprints.”

Prior to the launch in India, previous events have been held in New York, London, Tokyo, Beijing, and Durban, South Africa. Recognizing the significance of the new standards for emerging markets, the GHG Protocol is planning further launches and training events, including Brazil in the summer of 2012.

More information on the GHG Protocol standards is available at: www.ghgprotocol.org.

# # #

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol
A global collaboration led by WBCSD and WRI. It provides the foundation for sustainable climate strategies and more efficient, resilient and profitable organizations. GHG Protocol standards are the most widely used accounting tools to measure, manage and report on greenhouse gas emissions. www.ghgprotocol.org

The World Resources Institute
WRI is a global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action. We work with governments, companies, and civil society to build practical solutions to urgent environmental challenges. WRI’s transformative ideas protect the Earth and promote development because sustainability is essential to meeting human needs and fulfilling human aspirations for the future. www.wri.org

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development
WBCSD is a CEO-led organization of forward-thinking companies that galvanizes the global business community to create a sustainable future for business, society and the environment. Together with its members, the council applies its respected thought leadership and effective advocacy to generate constructive solutions and take shared action. Leveraging its strong relationships with stakeholders as the leading advocate for business, the council helps drive debate and policy change in favor of sustainable development solutions.

The WBCSD provides a forum for its 200 member companies - who represent all business sectors, all continents and a combined revenue of more than $7 trillion - to share best practices on sustainable development issues and to develop innovative tools that change the status quo. The Council also benefits from a network of 60 national and regional business councils and partner organizations, a majority of which are based in developing countries. www.wbcsd.org

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
From microbiology to global climate change, from smoke-filled rural kitchens to plush corporate boardrooms, from schoolchildren to heads of state—no sphere of human endeavor is unfamiliar to TERI. Headed by world-renowned economist and Head of the Nobel Prize winning UN Climate panel, Dr. R K Pachauri, TERI is best described as an independent, not-for-profit research institute focused on energy, environment, and sustainable development and devoted to efficient and sustainable use of natural resources. www.teriin.org

TERI-BCSD
For the past several years, TERI has been addressing issues related to sustainable development with Indian industry, by setting up TERI-BCSD (Business Council for Sustainable Development). Having succeeded to garner the support of over 100 member companies recently, TERI-BCSD India has received the fillip to evolve into a unique industry body mobilising the corporate sector in implementing the principles of sustainable development. bcsd.teri.res.in

RELEASE: WRI Names Andrew Steer as New President

Michael Oko — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:36:12 -0400

World Bank Economist and Special Envoy for Climate Change to Lead Global Institute Known for Excellence and Impact

The World Resources Institute today named Dr. Andrew D. Steer as its next president. Steer is a highly-recognized leader in economics and environmental issues, who brings a breadth of international expertise to the Institute. Steer will take the helm of WRI, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary of developing solutions to the world’s most urgent environmental and human development challenges.

“Andrew is a dynamic and gifted leader, with a deep knowledge of sustainability issues and on-the-ground experience in the world’s most rapidly developing economies. As these issues become more urgent, Andrew is ideally suited to lead WRI in achieving its mission,” said James A. Harmon, Chairman of WRI’s Board of Directors. “A passionate and eloquent communicator, Andrew will champion the organization’s evidence-based and results-focused approach to build a healthier and more sustainable planet.”

Dr. Steer is currently serving as the Special Envoy for Climate Change at the World Bank, where he helps guide the Bank Group’s climate change activities in over 130 countries. He co-chairs the Strategic Climate Fund and leads the Bank Group efforts with international negotiators and in promoting pro-development solutions to climate change. Steer also serves on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s High Level Group on Sustainable Energy for All and on the B20 Board on Green Growth (the private sector wing of the G20).

“I am deeply honored and delighted to be stepping into this role for such an extraordinary organization, with its history of innovative and transformative solutions to environmental and development challenges,” said Steer. “In the coming decade, we will face unparalleled challenges and opportunities, and WRI, with its global focus and high-quality analysis, is ideally equipped to find solutions. I look forward to leading the organization into the next stage of its remarkable history.”

WRI is a global, independent think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action, working with governments, companies, and civil society to build solutions to urgent environmental and human development challenges.

Steer arrives at WRI at a key moment in its evolution. In recent years, the organization has been expanding its global presence. WRI has been deepening its engagement in China and India, and is active in 40 additional countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Since 2008, WRI’s staff has grown from 160 to 225 people and its operations have expanded from $26 million to $45 million.

“This appointment is great news for WRI and for all who care about environment and development issues,” said Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank Group. “WRI has a distinguished record at the key intersection between development and the natural environment, and I am confident that under Andrew’s able leadership its future impact will be even stronger. Andrew brings deep technical, policy, and political experience in the field of sustainable development. He played a superb role as Special Envoy and helped make the World Bank part of the solution to climate change.”

Steer has held leadership roles at the World Bank and the UK government, including Director of the Bank’s Environment Department, and Bank Country Director for Indonesia and Vietnam. From 2007 to 2010, he was Director General for Policy and Research at the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). Steer has a PhD in Economics, and has taught and lectured at several universities.

James Harmon also reflected on the passion and dedication of Manish Bapna, WRI’s managing director, who has served as the organization’s acting president since July 2011.

“As acting president, Manish not only helped to sustain WRI; he made it stronger,” said Harmon. “He helped advance the organization’s program goals and enhanced its financial stability, including expanding our engagement in China, India and Brazil.”

Steer will begin his tenure as WRI’s president in August 2012. Until then, Bapna will continue to serve as the acting president.

Steer takes the helm as WRI’s third president, following two highly-respected environmental leaders: Jonathan Lash (president from 1993-2011), now President of Hampshire College; and James Gustave Speth (1982-1993), currently Professor of Law at Vermont Law School.

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Read an article in the New York Times on the announcement, here.

RELEASE: A Snapshot of Manufacturing Energy Use Across 10 Midwestern States

Lauren Zelin — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:27:13 -0500

New data key to unlocking industrial energy efficiency potential in the Midwest

For the first time, new analysis reveals energy use and economic data by subsector for ten Midwestern states, laying the groundwork for increased industrial energy efficiency in the region. Developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI), with the Great Plains Institute, Midwestern Governors Association (MGA), and University of Illinois at Chicago’s Energy Resources Center, the working paper presents manufacturing energy use by subsector for: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

The paper, “Midwest Manufacturing Snapshot: Energy Use and Efficiency Policies,” provides a summary of each state’s current policies to reduce energy-related costs and emissions.

“Our goal is to improve policymakers’ ability in the region to identify opportunities to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency, and drive economic development,” said James Bradbury, senior associate at WRI and the lead author of the paper. “There is a real appetite for high-quality, detailed information regarding manufacturing energy use, and this paper provides a solid foundation for more informed policy choices.”

The Midwest economy relies on manufacturing more than any other U.S. region, but industry has been hit hard with job losses over the past decade. More recently, the manufacturing sector has been a key driver for creating jobs and reviving the economy. Companies in the region are increasingly looking at energy efficiency to become more productive and profitable, further stimulating economic growth and employment.

According to the paper, the Midwest accounted for 30 percent of total U.S. manufacturing activity in 2010. The paper shows that industrial activity consumes more energy than any other sector in the Midwest. And, for energy-intensive subsectors — such as iron and steel, cement, chemicals, and paperboard manufacturing — energy use can account for up to 16 percent of total costs, which has significant implications for companies’ bottom line.

“State governments are particularly well-positioned to identify and encourage opportunities for industrial energy efficiency investment,” said Jesse Heier, Executive Director of MGA. “This paper will help officials to better understand and identify opportunities for increasing industrial energy efficiency as part of an overall economic development strategy.”

Until now state-level energy use data have not been publicly available in sufficient detail to identify how much energy subsectors are using and where the biggest opportunities are. This paper changes that by presenting detailed manufacturing energy use and economic activity data at the subsector level.

“We are very pleased that a variety of stakeholders are seeing the promise of industrial energy efficiency to both economic growth and environmental sustainability,” says Lola Schoenrich, Program Director, Energy Efficiency and Low-carbon Electricity, the Great Plains Institute. “This paper is a great resource for policy makers, utilities, and businesses in the identification and development of best practices for each state in the region.”

The paper discusses emerging policy trends and presents summaries of manufacturing sector energy-use activity, as well as related policies for each state in the MGA.

The paper represents a new line of analysis by the WRI and provides a foundation for further research on industrial energy efficiency in the Midwest.

Read the full paper, including state-by-state analysis, here: http://www.wri.org/publication/midwest-manufacturing-snapshot.

Leading Companies Share Experiences, Solutions in WRI's Corporate Consultative Group

Walton Upchurch — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:53:33 -0400

Annual MindShare Meeting provides the latest environmental intelligence on greenhouse gas accounting, emerging economies, and more.

Participants from 3M, Citi, Alcoa, Disney, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Kimberly-Clark participated in a MindShare 2011 breakout session. Photo: WRI

Corporate leaders in manufacturing, retail, entertainment, health, finance, and other sectors might not seem to have a lot in common at first, given their different industries. But no matter the business, sector leaders must all stay at the forefront of environmental trends as they unfold, in order to stay competitive, manage risk and find new business opportunities.

That’s why, earlier this month over 60 of WRI’s corporate partners gathered at Citi’s offices in New York to hear about the latest sustainability developments and share challenges and solutions with one another.

The annual MindShare Meeting – the signature event of WRI’s Corporate Consultative Group (CCG) – is a chance for members to come together in person to connect with their counterparts at other CCG companies (as well as with WRI experts).

As the Manager of the CCG, I was struck by the sense of common purpose and supportiveness at this year’s meeting – not only between WRI and our members, but between the members themselves, many of whom are competitors or work in different industries. With 42 member companies from 8 different industry sectors, it’s interesting to observe the similar situations our participants face as sustainability professionals.

For instance, most participants seemed eager to help their companies innovate and think more strategically about sustainability issues, but they recognize it can be challenging to prove the “business case” internally for each new idea, particularly if the idea is cutting edge or may have an uncertain or long-term return. Participants sincerely understood one another’s challenges and were eager to learn from each others’ successes.

Some of the highlights from the 2011 MindShare Meeting:

The event covered a range of topics: from how to approach corporate sustainability efforts in India, China and other emerging economies to how to think creatively about partnerships (both inside and outside the organization) that can help companies gain market share while addressing water shortages, high energy prices and other resource constraints.
WRI officially launched the two new GHG Protocol accounting methodologies: the Scope 3 and Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standards. Many CCG members participated in the development process of these new tools.
We kicked off the new CCG Ecosystem Services Focus Area. Craig Hanson, Director of WRI’s People & Ecosystems Program, provided an overview of our work on the topic and member companies gave examples of how they’ve started to integrate nature’s benefits into business decisions. (The CCG has three Focus Areas: Climate, Forestry, and Ecosystem Services. This structure allows individuals to tailor their CCG engagement around particular topics of most relevance to their work.)
Kirsty Jenkinson, Director of WRI’s Markets & Enterprise Program, led a conversation over dinner with WRI Board Member and President of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Frances Beinecke. Ms. Beinecke reflected on the journey towards workable climate policy solutions. In particular, she stressed the need for corporate leadership in the U.S., in lieu of a national climate policy.

In the past year, the Corporate Consultative Group has added 11 new members, including our first 3 companies based in Asia: Energy Development Corporation, Sindicatum Sustainable Resources and the Samsung Global Environment Research Center.

We are excited about this growing global network of formal corporate partners and look forward to the coming year. As an initial step, we’ll be delivering on some of the requests we received at MindShare for concise summaries and PowerPoints on issues relevant to business. We’ll also continue to connect WRI experts with members whenever our corporate partners have questions or require guidance on climate change, adaptation planning, GHG emissions accounting, water risk, and other issues.

Companies are a key audience for WRI, and we value our corporate partnerships. While there are several opportunities for companies to engage or formally partner with the Institute, membership in the Corporate Consultative Group is the principal way for companies to stay up-to-date on our corporate-relevant research, analysis and tools across all of WRI’s programs. To learn more, visit www.wri.org/ccg or get in touch with me directly.

Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard

Maggie Barron — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:58:31 -0400

The GHG Protocol Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard (referred to as the Product Standard) provides requirements and guidance for companies and other organizations to quantify and publicly report an inventory of GHG emissions and removals associated with a specific product. The primary goal of this standard is to provide a general framework for companies to make informed choices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the products (goods or services) they design, manufacture, sell, purchase, or use. In the context of this standard, public reporting refers to product GHG-related information reported publicly in accordance with the requirements specified in the standard.

Related Standards

New! Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard

Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard

As awareness about climate change increases and concerns grow, investors are demanding more transparency, and consumers are seeking greater clarity and environmental accountability. Companies are increasingly receiving requests from stakeholders to measure and disclose their corporate GHG inventories, and these requests often include a company’s products and supply chain emissions. Companies must be able to understand and manage their product-related GHG risks if they are to ensure long-term success in a competitive business environment and be prepared for any future product-related programs and policies.

This standard focuses on emissions and removals generated during a product’s life cycle and does not address avoided emissions or actions taken to mitigate released emissions. This standard is also not designed to be used for quantifying GHG reductions from offsets or claims of carbon neutrality.

Ultimately, this is more than a technical accounting standard. It is intended to be tailored to business realities and to serve multiple business objectives. Companies may find most value in implementing the standard using a phased approach, with a focus on improving the quality of the GHG inventory over time.