Sustainable development

Energy service agreements save money, promote green jobs and technologies

January 27, 2010 -- WASHINGTON – The U.S. General Services Administration cleared the way for federal agencies to easily obtain green products and services to fulfill their goals under President Obama’s sustainability executive order and under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.    » read more »

PHILADELPHIA -- December 4, 2009 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s mid-Atlantic region welcomed two new members into its Sustainability Partnership Program in two signing ceremonies held today.

EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin joined Secretary Randy Huffman of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection in recognizing Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, Inc. at its Buffalo, W. Va., facility, and Dow West Virginia at its South Charleston facilities.    » read more »

CAMBRIDGE, MD -- November 5, 2009 – CSX today was recognized as the first transportation provider to join the Maryland Green Registry, a voluntary self-certification program that promotes and recognizes sustainable practices by organizations throughout the state.

The Maryland Green Registry includes organizations that complete a best practices profile covering environmental management and leadership, waste reduction, energy and water conservation, transportation, and green building design. The selection was announced by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley at a Maryland Chamber of Commerce Business Policy Dinner in Cambridge, Maryland.    » read more »

(PHILADELPHIA - October 19, 2009) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the City of Allentown have announced an agreement to help the City prevent pollution, minimize waste, and conserve resources while saving money.

The agreement recognizes actions that Allentown has already taken along the path toward sustainability and commits both the city and EPA to furthering that progress.    » read more »

By Edward W. Lempinen, AAAS

16 October 2009 -- SAN FRANCISCO -- Students usually arrive at San Diego's High Tech High with a commitment to education, but in Jay Vavra's 11th grade biology class, they get an immersion in sustainability that may be life-changing.

In many schools, their lessons would come from a textbook, supplemented by online materials. But for Vavra's class at the acclaimed charter school, they shape their own projects and then go out into the field to study ecosystems and the humans who inhabit them. When the projects are done, they come back and collaborate on books about their research.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today established a department-wide U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) volunteer program to encourage individuals to volunteer with the People's Garden Initiative. The People's Garden, a USDA domestic and international initiative, helps illustrate the many ways that USDA works to provide a sustainable, safe and nutritious food supply while protecting and preserving the landscape where that food is produced.    » read more »

Schumer, Gillibrand announce $300,000 in DOT funding coming to Ithaca Tompkins for the nation's first "green" airport master plan; $500,000 for new equipment

June 23, 2009 -- U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will provide a total of $790,135 to Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport through the Federal Aviation Administration.

The first grant of $505,135 will fund new airplane de-icing equipment and other winter weather preparations, while a second grant of $285,000 will fund an update of the airport’s master plan to provide a forecast of future expansion and development. The master plan is the first “green” master plan for an airport in the country.    » read more »

IBM Research Innovation, Partnerships and New Services Help Clients Increase Efficiency, Achieve Sustainability and Cut Costs

SAN FRANCISCO - 23 Jun 2009 -- Ahead of a Green and Beyond Summit here today, IBM (NYSE: IBM) detailed new computing systems, research initiatives, client results and partnerships aimed at meeting the rising demand by businesses and governments worldwide to reduce energy costs and consumption by optimizing their systems and resources, while at the same time becoming more accountable and socially responsible.    » read more »

Companies collecting data infrequently, not engaging customers and suppliers

ARMONK, NY - 01 Jun 2009: IBM’s (NYSE:IBM) second annual global corporate social responsibility survey of senior business executives again shows significant gaps between their goals and their ability to attain them.

Nearly all of the 224 respondents said they remain committed to incorporating CSR principles into their business strategies – despite the global recession -- to improve business performance, societal contribution and reputation.

But the survey results identified three specific problems:    » read more »

Investments Ease Traffic Congestion, Enhance Safe Routes To School

May 28, 2009 -- HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania will create green jobs, relieve traffic congestion and make it easier for students to walk and bike to school with the investment of $76 million in 80 transportation projects, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.

“PennDOT’s investments will help us weather the current economic storm and make lasting community improvements for future generations,” Governor Rendell said. “These investments will stimulate the economy by putting people to work creating sustainable communities that will improve our quality of life and send a clear message that Pennsylvania is a great place to live and work.    » read more »

The 2008 Corporate Sustainability Report provides an in-depth view of PPG’s status and progress on economic, environmental and safety, and social involvement initiatives.

PITTSBURGH, May 26, 2009 – PPG Industries’ (NYSE:PPG) first corporate sustainability report highlights key accomplishments in several areas of interest to environmentally progressive architects and builders.    » read more »

CHICAGO (May 22, 2009) - Exelon Corporation announced today that it has released its annual sustainability report. Titled Sustainable Advantage, the report is part of Exelon’s continual effort to be transparent and keep the public informed of its progress on environmental, safety and community initiatives.

The report summarizes Exelon’s sustainability performance in 2008. Highlights include:

Environmental

* Inclusion in both the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Leadership Index and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the third year in a row;
* Achievement of the company’s U.S. EPA Climate Leaders goal by reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 35 percent from 2001 levels;    » read more »

Study: Consumer’s Demand for Sustainable Products Remains Strong

Wilmington, Del., May 21, 2009 - A study of consumer environmental purchasing habits shows that demand for sustainable offerings remains strong despite the recent downturn in the economy. According to a recent Cone Consumer Survey (February 2009), 44 percent of consumers say their “green” buying habits remain unchanged despite the current economy and one-third of consumers say they are more likely to buy green today than they were previously.

The DuPont portfolio of renewably sourced products is seeing an increase in demand, among well-known market brands such as Izod®, Timberland® and others for fashion apparel, Method Products, Inc. in products like “Squeaky Green” laundry detergent and others.    » read more »

May 25, 2009 -- Although consumers are more cost-conscious during these stressed economic times, many remain committed to more sustainable lifestyles and products, evident by the growing demand for items such as organic foods, clothing, personal-care and cleaning products. In fact, goods and services focused on health, the environment, social justice and sustainable living represent a $209 billion marketplace in the U.S.

Ford’s use of more bio-based, recycled and reclaimed materials for vehicle interiors gives the company further leverage with this expanding consumer segment that’s living green.    » read more »

Company Names Charlene Lake to New Post as Part of Commitment to Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability

Dallas, Texas, May 14, 2009 -- AT&T* today announced the appointment of Charlene Lake as senior vice president public affairs and chief sustainability officer.

In this capacity, Lake will lead AT&T’s efforts to achieve a wide range of specific, sustainable business objectives, working with the Public Policy Committee of the Board of Directors, the Chairman’s office, and AT&T’s executive management team to further integrate sustainable business practices across AT&T and its supply chain.    » read more »