Being green and eco-efficient is rapidly becoming an important element of success in business. According to The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), "eco-efficiency" is described as "a management strategy of doing more with less". Eco-efficiency can be achieved through:
• Increasing product or service value;
• Optimizing the use of resources; and,
• Reducing environmental impact.
Because there is an opportunity for savings with each of these objectives, applying them makes good business sense. Often, companies that adopt eco-efficient technologies and practices can stimulate productivity and innovation, increase competitiveness and improve environmental performance. Use the links on this site as a knowledge resource to get your company started on the green path. If you have any questions please contact:
Ericka Wicks
Business Sustainability Coordinator
[email protected]
902-957-2423
Green Terminology You Should Know
There are a number of new “green” terms you will need to familiarize yourself with. Sustainable / Sustainability Sustainability refers to three areas, environmental, economic, and social. It is about making choices that meet your needs without compromising the needs of future generations.
- Environmental Sustainability refers to maintaining the quality and longevity of environmental resources used by the business. This can include energy, water, waste management, emissions, etc. If a business puts back 100% of the natural resources it consumes, it is considered an “environmentally sustainable” business. This is because it replenishes the very resources it depends on. If a business consumes more resources than nature can replenish, uses too much energy, or causes excess waste / pollution, it is not considered sustainable.
- Economic Sustainability includes the overall financial model and productivity of a company. The income and expenses must provide for a financially sustainable business. If a business is constantly going deeper into debt, it is not financially sustainable. In our context, it also refers to evaluating the products and services you purchase to determine if they are “more sustainable” or “less sustainable”. For example, purchasing energy-saving Compact Florescent Lights (CFLs) is considered a “more sustainable” choice.
- Social Responsibility refers to the social impact of a business. It includes: ethical principles, giving back to society, health & safety, respect for human rights, equal opportunities, fair compensation, and ensuring a high quality of life. It involves eliminating unethical and corrupt behavior. It involves thoroughly investigating your sources to ensure they provide fair compensation for work performed, provide a safe work environment, and do not violate human rights in the treatment of their workers. It may also include doing things for the local community, educating / helping others, participating in community groups or your local city and chamber of commerce.
Carbon Footprint Your Carbon Footprint refers to your impact on the environment. It refers to measuring how much carbon dioxide a particular activity, purchase, or product produces. For example, driving a car to the store produces a much larger carbon footprint than does walking to the store, as it produces much more carbon dioxide. Carbon Offsets or Carbon Credits Carbon Offsets or Carbon Credits refer to offsetting your carbon footprint instead of reducing your own carbon footprint. This used to mean planting a lot of trees to offset your carbon output. Today, this means purchasing carbon credits from a company that offsets carbon emissions. This is commonly used to compensate for air travel or use of an automobile. For example, if you take a plane to travel somewhere, you can buy carbon offsets to compensate the environment for your production of carbon dioxide. Be careful and thoroughly research a company before buying carbon credits. VOC VOC refers to Volatile Organic Compounds. These include paints, thinners, dry cleaning chemicals, petroleum products, and tobacco. Sources can also include copy machines, carpets and products containing formaldehyde, such as particle-board-based furniture and cabinets. Eco-Efficiency According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, critical aspects of eco-efficiency are:
• A reduction in the material intensity of goods or services;
• A reduction in the energy intensity of goods or services;
• Reduced dispersion of toxic materials;
• Improved recyclability;
• Maximum use of renewable resources;
• Greater durability of products;
• Increased service intensity of goods and services.
The reduction in ecological impacts translates into an increase in resource productivity, which in turn can create a competitive advantage. Sustainability refers to three areas, environmental, economic, and social. It is about making choices that meet your needs without compromising the needs of future generations.According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, critical aspects of eco-efficiency are: • A reduction in the material intensity of goods or services; • A reduction in the energy intensity of goods or services; • Reduced dispersion of toxic materials; • Improved recyclability; • Maximum use of renewable resources; • Greater durability of products; • Increased service intensity of goods and services. The reduction in ecological impacts translates into an increase in resource productivity, which in turn can create a competitive advantage. |