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The Next Big Scam: Carbon Dioxide - Thursday, January 07, 2010

Just when you thought all the scams have been identified, here comes the next one - Carbon Dioxide. Deloitte Forensic calls it “the white collar crime of the future.” Kroll, a business risk subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan, the global professional services firm, calls it “a fraudster’s dream come true.”

Tips on How to Reduce Food Packaging Waste - Friday, December 11, 2009

There’s a Jack Johnson song called "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," and we all know these three R’s are a good place to start when it comes to living a more sustainable life. While recycling tends to get the most attention, reducing and reusing can be equally effective tools in the battle to get by without creating a mountain of waste in the meantime.

Beware of the Carbon Credit Scam - Thursday, December 10, 2009

China: Climate Change or Hot Air? The mainland earns billions in carbon-offset sales. But by taking credit for projects that would have been built anyway, it may not be playing by the rules

10 Best Practices For Energizing Employees On Sustainability - Monday, December 07, 2009

Need to bring employees on board with your company's sustainability projects? Green Impact President Deborah Fleischer shares 10 best practices. By starting small and focusing on green office practices and by identifying and implementing specific solutions for your organization, employees will become more engaged in the bigger picture.

The Story of Cap and Trade Gets Mixed Reviews - Friday, December 04, 2009

The “Story of Cap and Trade, ” from the makers of “The Story of Stuff,” has gotten mixed reviews from the media.

Oregon to launch first commercial wave-power project - Friday, December 04, 2009

Oregon is set to create the country's first commercial wave-energy station in the waters 2.5 miles off the coast of Reedsport, Ore. The first of what will be a 10-buoy pilot program is expected to launch in a year, with the full project to be up and running in three years. The $60 million system is expected to generate 1.5 megawatts of power from the movement of the ocean -- and developer Ocean Power Technologies says it is eventually planning a 200-buoy farm nearby.

Five eco-Crimes We Commit Every Day! - Tuesday, December 01, 2009

WHEN the UN Climate Change Conference opens in Copenhagen next month, all eyes will be on the delegates' efforts to broker a deal that will prevent catastrophic global warming. Yet amid all the talk of caps, targets and trading, it is easy to forget who is ultimately responsible for the mess we find ourselves in. I have long argued that climate change begins at home. Each of us in the developed world has played our part in creating this problem and, while there is no doubt that coordinated global action is needed to tackle it, we can each be part of the solution.

Virtual Gifts Are A Greener Option. - Monday, November 30, 2009

Exchanging virtual gifts can leave a smaller impact on the environment, Amber Byfield writes, so why not exchange applications for the iPhone this holiday season or a membership in the StarFish Buccaneur Club? For an added bonus, try giving an application that will help the recipient live a greener life, she suggests.

Cities envision future powered by sewage, slop and sunshine - Monday, November 30, 2009

The city of Lille, France, is going to use three large fermenters to turn fallen leaves, grass clippings and food waste into enough biogas to power a third of the city's bus fleet. Other cities are looking into converting human waste into biogas, while still more are rapidly expanding solar installation.

Google to finance green power plants - Monday, November 30, 2009

It is taking far too long to get new, green technologies on the market, and a lack of funds means many projects never even get off the ground, says Dan Reicher, director of climate change and energy initiatives at Google. The company plans to step up to help finance green-energy power plants, Reicher told a group of green-tech gurus this week. It's not yet clear whether the company plans to invest directly in projects or in specific companies, but Reicher says the company is exploring a variety of options.

Seizing the Reins on Sustainability - Monday, November 30, 2009

While most executives realize that sustainability could have vast implications for their business, our research reveals that few companies are acting meaningfully on that insight. To the contrary, most firms to date have made only token moves regarding sustainability, and most of those moves have been driven by regulatory pressure rather than any self-imposed urgency. In short, most companies are approaching sustainability reactively rather than proactively and from a strategic perspective.

Harvesting the Power of Waste Heat - Monday, November 30, 2009

Close to 60 percent of the energy produced by burning fuels or generated by power plants is lost as excess heat. Computers, cars and cell phones all have to get rid of excess heat to run properly, creating a significant energy waste. Researchers at MIT believe they've developed a way to reclaim a majority of that wasted energy and turn it into electricity.

Australian Scientists Seek Greener Sheep with Fewer Burps - Sunday, November 29, 2009

Scientists in Australia are attempting to breed sheep that burp less frequently, an effort that say will help reduce planet-warming emissions. Agriculture is responsible for 16% of Australia's emissions, reports the country's department of climate change. About two-thirds of those emissions is produced by livestock, according to Australia's Sheep Cooperative Research Council.

Beware of Green Living Myths. - Thursday, November 26, 2009

Think buying a Prius is the best way to live greener? Or that how far food traveled is the most important factor in its carbon footprint? Think again, writes Duncan Clark, author of the recently published "Rough Guide to Green Living."

California Drafts its Own Cap-and-Trade Plan - Thursday, November 26, 2009

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has issued a preliminary draft (PDF) of the nation’s first cap-and-trade program to control greenhouse (GHG) emissions, which is likely to influence federal regulations, reports the Los Angeles Times’ Greenspace blog. The carbon scheme would cap emissions of large emitters including power plants, refineries, cement plants and other big factories at 15 percent below today’s levels by 2020, and allow companies to buy and sell emissions allowances to meet their goal, according to the article. The scheme would also allow limited use of high-quality offsets outside of capped sectors to cover a portion of the overall emissions reductions, according to CARB.

First Solar-Powered Plane Takes Flight - Thursday, November 26, 2009

Swiss company Solar Impulse wants to design the first plane that can fly around the world on solar power alone. The company made a big step toward that goal recently by completing its first taxi tests down the runway, using four electric motors powered by sunlight. There's still quite a long way to go -- the tests only reached speeds of about 10 knots, and the plane didn't actually take off -- but further tests and actual flights are planned for next year.

Termite Microbes Yield New Route to Cellulosic Biofuels - Wednesday, November 25, 2009

ZeaChem, a Colorado-based biofuel startup, has found a new approach to producing cellulosic biofuels using microbes found in termites. Acid is used to break down plant matter into sugars, which are then fed to acetogen bacteria found in the digestive tract of termites. The company says the process produces 135 gallons of biofuel per ton of feedstock -- a 35% improvement over conventional processes.

The Eight Biggest Myths about Sustainability in Business - Monday, November 23, 2009

In our research, and in engagements with dozens of Fortune 1000 companies, we are sometimes surprised at the reluctance to pursue environmental sustainability initiatives, because of misconceptions about their cost or benefits. But we have also seen how some companies have embraced sustainability whole-heartedly, and are profiting from it.

Eco-Tourism: Real or More Greenwashing? - Sunday, November 22, 2009

It can be difficult to tell whether a vacation package is really as eco-friendly as marketers claim, writes Lucy Siegle. Making a distinction between travel plans with a lower impact on the environment and tours that provide environmental education and help protect natural sites is one place to start, she notes.

Tips on How to Reduce Food Packaging Waste - Thursday, November 19, 2009

There’s a Jack Johnson song called "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle," and we all know these three R’s are a good place to start when it comes to living a more sustainable life. While recycling tends to get the most attention, reducing and reusing can be equally effective tools in the battle to get by without creating a mountain of waste in the meantime.

What Does It Mean When Procurement Goes Green? - Thursday, November 19, 2009

Green purchasing by companies is up in a down economy. Our recent October 2009 survey of more than 450 companies found that over the past 12 months there was a 63 percent increase in green purchasing, from computers to chemicals to cleaning supplies. Perhaps even more encouraging, none of the respondents from large companies (those with revenues over $1 billion) identified any decrease in buying green.

Another Stimulus: Cash For Caulkers? - Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Following the success of the "Cash for Clunkers" program, the Obama administration is now looking at options to put similar funds toward weatherizing homes. Multiple advisers have floated the idea of a "cash for caulkers" plan to help homeowners retrofit. A significant investment in this kind of program could put contractors and construction workers affected by the economic slump back to work and could provide significant energy savings for households.

Flying Tigers: Asia’s Clean-Tech Push - Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The U.S. is falling behind Asian nations when it comes to investment in clean-energy technologies, a new report concludes. China, Japan and South Korea are expected to spend $500 billion in the next five years on clean-technology development and deployment. In contrast, even if the energy spending in the stalled climate bill is approved, U.S. spending would total $170 billion for the same period.

From Solar Applications to Christmas, LEDs Light the Night - Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Advances in LED lighting continue to pour forth, while some programs are promoting awareness of LED lighting by promoting Christmas light exchanges. New research from the state-funded Florida Energy Systems Consortium may result in a combination solar cell, LED and energy storage system.

Sustainable Tips to Save Small Business Owners Money - Monday, November 16, 2009

In recent years, the notion of a “green economy” has gathered steam. The conversation accelerated when the economy worsened and unemployment rose and suddenly, a green economy was seen by many as a pathway out of the current economic situation.

Airbus ‘Sharklet’ Wingtip Design Reduces Fuel Use 3.5% - Monday, November 16, 2009

Airbus is developing new “Sharklet” wingtip devices for its A320 aircraft that are expected to cut fuel burn by 3.5 percent and reduce 730 metric tons of CO2 emissions per plane annually, reports AIN. This also translates into a fuel savings of $220,000 annually per aircraft, according to the article

Take Care Using the Word 'Sustainability' - Friday, November 13, 2009

The terms and concepts of sustainability, and corporate social responsibility seem to have entered our everyday vocabulary and lifestyle, but these terms are packed with contextual meaning -- and not everyone can have a conversation with a common understanding of these issues.

Senators Propose Prizes for Capturing CO2 - Friday, November 13, 2009

Senators John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming, and Jeff Bingaman, Democrat of New Mexico, have joined in introducing a bill that would establish awards for researchers who develop technologies that can economically extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stash it away. In doing so, they are potentially upping the ante offered in 2007 by Richard Branson, the aviation and music magnate, for such an adv

Energy Entrepreneurs Offer Bridges To The Future - Friday, November 13, 2009

The European Investment Bank's announcement this week that it will provide more than $1 billion in loans to independent wind developers is a "refreshing alternative to Britain's utility-centric energy policy," writes Jo Butlin, vice president of SmartestEnergy. Governments have typically relied on large utilities to solve energy and climate challenges, Butlin notes, but government renewable-energy projects have proceeded slowly or have been canceled altogether. Independent developers, focusing on smaller projects that involve lower financial risks, can be implemented much more expeditiously.

Best-in-Class Manufacturers Cut Energy Use by 24%, Study Shows - Thursday, November 12, 2009

Best-in-class manufacturers typically reduce their energy consumption by 24 percent compared to laggard companies that increase their energy use by 6 percent, according to new benchmarking research from Aberdeen Group.

Marriott To Expand "Green" Hotels by 1,000% - Wednesday, November 11, 2009

It looks like Marriott's green hotel trial program has been a resounding success--so much so, that over the next five years, the company plans on expanding its green hotel initiative by 1,000 percent. A new green design will now be embraced on over 450 upcoming hotels--and the plan will save the company $100,000 dollars on each hotel, cut water and energy consumption by 25%, and shave 6 months off the required design time.

Lessons in Oil for Groundwater Conservation? - Monday, November 09, 2009

Forget about peak oil, says Todd Jarvis, associate director of the Institute for Water and Watersheds at Oregon State University -- it's time to worry about peak water. One in six people lives without consistent access to safe drinking water, and about a third of the world's population lacks adequate sanitation. Rather than granting unlimited water rights to property owners, Jarvis suggests adopting a system for sharing access and responsibility for aquifers cooperatively.

First All-Hybrid FedEx Facility Established - Monday, November 09, 2009

The Bronx, New York, operation of FedEx will become the company’s first to exclusively use hybrid delivery vans. The addition of 51 new delivery vehicles brings the facility’s total to about 100 hybrid trucks.

Clean Tech VC Funding On Rebound, Up 50% Since 2nd Quarter - Friday, November 06, 2009

Venture capital funding for the clean tech industry, beleaguered for most of the year, finally rebounded in the third quarter, according to figures from DowJones VentureSource, as analyzed by Ernst & Young LLP.

BMW, Toyota, Ford Tout Eco-cars - Friday, November 06, 2009

More and more automakers are playing up their hybrid cars, and other environmental progress. In a short trailer about its environmental efforts, BMW touts a zero-emissions car, its water recycling initiatives and factories powered by renewable energy. Here’s how Toyota is promoting its hybrid Prius in Australia.

Sysco Exploring Natural Gas for its Trucks - Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Foodservice distribution giant Sysco Corp. is considering using natural gas to power its trucking fleet. For a truck that averages 50,000 miles traveled each year, going to natural gas will reduce particulate emissions by 400 pounds,.....

The Hidden Cost of Electric Vehicles - Thursday, October 22, 2009

Although electric vehicles show higher non-climate damages than many other technologies, they will not be significantly cleaner than cars powered by fossil fuels until they rely less on electricity produced from coal-fired power plants, according to new research from the National Research Council, reports Reuters. Despite the finding, Japanese automaker Honda is considering a move into the electric vehicle market in the U.S., Europe and Japan.

German Team Shines in Solar Decathlon - Monday, October 19, 2009

The U.S. Department of Energy announced today that Team Germany is the winner of this year's Solar Decathlon, in which 20 teams of college students from the USA, Europe and Canada competed to design the best solar house.

Tempe, AZ Couple Go To Eco Extreme for Week. - Friday, October 16, 2009

For the sake of the environment, my wife and I gave up air-conditioning this year. It was a hot summer for us, but we survived. To many people I've met recently, I'm now "that no-AC guy." But all that is nothing compared with Colin Beavan's experiment.

Audi Pumps $7.5M into Environmental Foundation - Friday, October 16, 2009

Carmaker Audi AG is starting a new corporate environmental foundation to bring together all the company’s worldwide environmental measures into measures that extend beyond the realm of automobiles.

Supply Chain Sustainability Fits Into Corporate Branding - Friday, October 16, 2009

In this video, Michael Levine, of Epstein, Becker & Green, discusses how brands integrate sustainability principles into their branding efforts. The discussion was part of a Carnegie Council event, “Sustainable Branding: A U.S.-Japan Corporate Dialogue,” which took place on Sept.17, 2009.

Half Of U.S. Driving Less, Taking Fewer In-town Trips - Thursday, October 15, 2009

In what that may be a boon to e-commerce, and bad news for brick-and-mortar retailers, half of American drivers report driving less than usual and taking fewer trips within town, according to new research from the Harris Poll.

Climate Change May Be A Boom For eco-CEO Creativity - Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Andrew Taylor, the CEO of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, in many ways epitomizes the business establishment. His family is No. 32 on the Forbes 400, their $7 billion fortune built on allowing middle-class people to drive cheaply. He donates mostly to Republican candidates. But when it comes to energy prices, he holds a heretical view. In the past year, gas has swung from $4 to $2.50 a gallon, which has made it difficult for auto manufacturers (and rental companies) to predict whether consumers will desire fuel-sipping compacts or fuel-burning SUVs.

First Natural Gas-fueled Passenger Flight Completed - Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Airlines’ struggles with fuel availability and emissions may be eased if more flights are able to be powered in part by natural gas, which burns cleaner than other fuels. Qatar Airways on Oct. 12 completed a six-hour flight from London to Qatar, running an Airbus A340-800 on a 50/50 kerosene/natural gas blend, reports Reuters.

Colleges Get Sustainability Report Card - Saturday, October 10, 2009

The Sustainable Endowments Institute has released its 2010 College Sustainability Report Card comparing 322 schools across the U.S. on how “green” they are, reports College News. Key findings show that 56 percent of colleges earned higher grades that they have in previous reports, while only 13 percent declined slightly in their green performance, according to the Web site.

Building Green Doesn't Always Cost More - Thursday, October 08, 2009

A recent study of 107 construction projects in New York shows green construction does not always cost significantly more than traditional construction. The Urban Green Council study found that the average construction cost for a high-rise residential building without LEED certification was $436 per square foot compared with an average cost with certification of $440 per square foot. The study also found that some LEED projects with a Platinum or Gold rating were completed for a lower cost than projects that achieved the lower Silver rating.

Pee before you fly policy reduces carbon emissions - Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) is determined to lower its carbon emissions any way possible, and that includes an experimental new policy: Pee before you board and fly. I've heard of many great ideas, and this may just be a bladder breakthrough.

Signage Businesses Adopt Eco-Friendly Inks, Materials - Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Businesses that provide signage solutions and other promotional materials are now starting to use environmentally-friendly inks, along with recyclable materials, thanks in part to HP’s latest eco-friendly printer products, to help cut ozone pollution and reduce landfill waste.

Westin, Marriott Target Energy Efficiency - Tuesday, October 06, 2009

What’s on the mind of most hotels no matter their size? Energy efficiency and environmental improvements. Hotels, running the gamut from the family-owned Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada to hotel chains such as Colorado’s Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa and the Marriott Courtyard Portland City Center, are all claiming big savings from their environmental efforts.

Zero-emissions Locomotive Unveiled - Tuesday, October 06, 2009

A battery-operated locomotive promises to unleash no emissions during its operation, aside from emissions associated with charging its massive batteries. A prototype 1,500-horsepower switching locomotive from Norfolk Southern Corp. relies on 1,080 12-volt batteries, reports the Boston Herald. Fully charged, it can operate for three shifts.

Reno’s Peppermill Resort Pumps $8.1M into Geothermal - Monday, October 05, 2009

One of the oldest and most popular resorts in my old stomping grounds in Reno, Nevada, the Peppermill Hotel, has Tapped into clean renewable geothermal energy, as a solution to cover 100 percent of the facility’s hot water and mechanical heat. Drilling 4,400 feet into the ground, the resort, which lies in the middle of the city, has found a geothermal resource that exceeds its operating requirements. How cool (warm) is that?

The Seven Sins Of GreenWashing To Watch Out For! - Monday, October 05, 2009

Manufacturers beware, the consumer is watching you! TerraChoice, is North America’s premiere environmental marketing agency, and they help grow the world’s most sustainable companies. As a science-based marketing firm, they help clients convert genuine environmental leadership into winning strategy, communications and positioning. They have developed a list of the seven sins of greenwashing and it's worth becoming aware of.

To Cut Emissions, Vancouver Lets Cruise Ships Plug In - Thursday, October 01, 2009

To reduce pollution at Port Metro Vancouver, the city is allowing visiting cruise ships to plug into the city’s electrical grid. By having ships stop their diesel engines and instead use on board shore power equipment, Princess Cruise Lines and Holland America will use shore power in Vancouver during the 2009 Alaska tour season, which runs through September. At least five ships are participating this year, reports Reuters.

Twenty Trends for Sustainability in 2009-10 - Thursday, September 24, 2009

Here is a list of 20 sustainability trends that are changing the business landscape. We’re keeping our eyes on these…

Packaged Facts, 4-Part Sustainability Study - Thursday, September 24, 2009

Market research firms Packaged Facts and The Hartman Group have teamed up to publish a series of reports tracking current consumer attitudes and shopping behaviors in relation to “sustainable” consumer packaged goods. The four reports in the just-completed series on Consumers and Sustainability are “Food and Beverage,” “Personal Care,” “Household Cleaners” and “OTC Medications and Supplements.”

World's First Floating Wind Turbine - Thursday, September 24, 2009

The energy company Statoil has begun operation of the first full-size Hywind floating wind turbine at a location 10 kilometers off the Norwegian coast. What is remarkable about this turbine is that is is floating in the water, rather than being rigidly attached to the ocean floor.

Where Is it the Greenest Convention Center in the World? - Tuesday, September 22, 2009

In the highly competitive business events market, hundreds of cities around the world are vying to attract global attention and a larger slice of the meetings market. Melbourne, one of the “World’s Most Livable Cities”—according to The Economist—has found a way to not only be noticed, but to set a global benchmark. Responding to the international call for sustainability, the Australian city has opened what could be the greenest convention center in the world, described in superlatives everywhere for its architectural design, cutting-edge technologies and comprehensive Earth-friendly services.

Green Key Eco-Rating Program Launches in United States - Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Much like our proposed SandCastles rating system for destination beach resortsThe Green Key Eco-Rating Program (Green Key), one of the first of its kind to rank and certify hotels and resorts based on their commitment to sustainable “green” practices, has expanded its operations to the United States. Read more.

New report card rates cruise lines' environmental record - Sunday, September 20, 2009

Cruise passengers can now judge cruise lines on their environmental record with the release Wednesday of the first report card on the industry from Friends of the Earth.....

Soon to Be Made In China: Electric Vehicle Charge Points - Sunday, September 20, 2009

Nearly half of the electric car charging equipment installed worldwide by 2015 will be heading to China, according to a recent report from Pike Research. Today an announcement from Scottsdale, Ariz.-based charging infrastructure company ECOtality indicates that China’s role in the electric car charging boom will encompass not only installing the equipment domestically, but also building it for international deployment. Down the road, when you pull up to a charge point, there’s a good chance it could have been made in China.

Spending Billions on Hydrogen-Powered Thinking? - Sunday, September 20, 2009

Everyday, it seems, we hear about another electric vehicle start-up with plans to revolutionize the auto industry. And with companies like Coulomb Technologies and Better Place slowly expanding their networks of EV charging and battery-swapping stations, it looks like EV technology is here to stay. So why are Daimler, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Renault-Nissan, and Toyota working so hard to bring hydrogen-powered cars to market?

U.S. Accounts for 55 of 100 Firms in Cleantech Ranking - Sunday, September 20, 2009

The Guardian and Cleantech Group LLC, have released their inaugural Global Cleantech 100 report that highlights the most promising private clean technology companies in the world. The report is segmented by geography and by industry sector.

Pineapple Expands eco-Amenities Line - Sunday, September 20, 2009

Expanding its line of eco-friendly amenities, Pineapple Hospitality is now offering Sonoma Soap Company amenities and dispensers. The Sonoma Soap Company amenity collection is formulated to nurture the hair and body—while protecting the environment. All formulations contain natural and organic ingredients and are free of those ingredients identified as dangerous or threatening to the environment.

Ice Sheets Release A Lot of Water into Our Oceans. - Sunday, September 20, 2009

The $500 billion beauty industry is no stranger to the art of obfuscation. The sole purpose of cosmetics and personal-care products, after all, is to correct, conceal, and camouflage. So does it come as a surprise to anyone that there are a few sticking points certain parties would rather see glossed over?

Audi Gears Up for Luxury Sustainability - Sunday, September 20, 2009

Calling sustainability the new luxury, the president of Audi America said that Audi hopes to be the top luxury carmaker in the world by 2015, based on adoption of sustainability as a core focus.

Red Bull Pays For Failing To Recycle Packaging - Sunday, September 20, 2009

Soft drink company Red Bull has been fined £271,800 (about $448,400) for failing to meet its requirements to recover and recycle packaging waste for eight years between 1999 and 2006, and for failing to register with the Environment Agency (EA) in London as a producer of packaging waste, reports Recycling and Waste Management News...........

Cruise Ships Worse For Environment Than Planes - Thursday, September 17, 2009

Cruise ships emit three times more CO2 than airplanes, reports the Telegraph. In its annual report, Carnival, which comprises 11 cruise lines, said it emits 401 grams of CO2 per passenger, which this article claims is 36 times greater than the per passenger emission of Eurostar and more than three times that for a Boeing 747 passenger. The Passenger Shipping Association said that a ferry, on average, releases 120 grams of CO2 per passenger.

Marriott Introduces Eco-Friendly Meeting Products - Thursday, July 30, 2009

Marriott hotels and resorts have long been one of my favorite large chains, and we are glad they are taking the lead in introducing a series of eco-friendly products to help reduce environmental impact of both the company and its guests, such as using pads made of recycling paper.

Marriott-Whistler Completes Hybrid Heating System - Wednesday, May 06, 2009

The Residence Inn by Marriott at Whistler in British Columbia (Canada) completed its third and final installment of Sempa Power’s Hybrid Heating System. The installation will help reduce GHG emissions while cutting energy costs, Marriott said.