GREENBUZZ :: March 17, 2008

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March 17, 2008 News, Tools & Resources from GreenBiz.com Hot Topics   |   News   |   Resources   |   Job Link   |   Our Sites   |   About GreenBiz.com   Taking Care of Business What's a clean earth worth to your company's bottom line? This is no academic question. Natural systems provide a wealth of tangible and intangible services to business -- some $33 trillion worth of "free" deliverables a year, say experts. Those services include fertile soil, fresh water, breathable air, pollination, species habitat, soil formation, pest control, a livable climate, and a host of other things most of us take for granted. And none of which appear on companies' balance sheets. And it would follow that the degradation of ecosystems caused by global warming or direct human action has the potential to severely disrupt businesses or provide beneficial opportunities. That's the conclusion of a new report, The Corporate Ecosystems Services Review, just published by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. It offers a set of guidelines, accompanied by case studies from five businesses, explains the steps a business should take to identify what ecosystems it depends on and the risks and opportunities related to changes in those ecosystems. The report is one of several resources on the topic housed within GreenBiz.com. A search for "ecosystem services" turns up several valuable resources, among them Communicating Ecosystem Services, geared toward helping scientists and other professionals communicate the importance of ecosystem services to a lay audience; Restoring Nature's Capital: Sustaining Ecosystem Services, which proposes action steps for business, governments and civil society to reverse ecosystem degradation; and Environmental Markets: Opportunities and Risks for Business, a report from Business for Social Responsibility describing market mechanisms being used by companies to protect ecosystem services. This is one of many places that the threat of climate change intersects with the future of business, and like climate change, the topic isn't about to go away any time soon. -- Joel Makower, Executive Editor New on GreenBiz Radio: Sustainability Execs Moving up the Ladder Companies are increasingly looking for high-level executives to help them chart a course toward sustainability, according to Terry Chuah, a principal with Heidrick & Struggles. Terry joined GreenBiz Radio to give us a primer on what it takes to be a chief sustainability officer and the factors driving this demand. You can listen to GreenBiz Radio online, download programs to your desktop, or subscribe to the GreenBiz Radio RSS feed. THIS ISSUE'S SPONSOR Want to be a GreenBuzz sponsor? Click here. Subscribe to GreenBiz.com RSS Headlines The Latest News on Business and the Environment Canada to Release Green Advertising Guidelines Two federal groups are working on guidelines for green claims, hoping to force businesses to strip their products of vague and misleading environmental statements. Staples Switches to Recycled, Sustainable Paper for Customer Copying, Printing The company's 1,400 Copy & Print Centers will use Forest Stewardship Council certified paper as their standard offering. DuPont Helps Refiners Reduce Sulfur Emissions The projects, part of DuPont's Clean Technologies, regenerate sulfurif acid used in processing and turn refinery gases into sulfur products. Toshiba Sets New Environmental Targets Toshiba plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its products by 7.3 million tons in fiscal year 2012, as well as reach new water consumption goals. Clean Energy Market to Hit $254 Billion by 2017, Says Study Global clean-energy markets are expanding rapidly, according to a new study. Just four sectors are projected to more than triple over the next decade, growing to $254.5 billion by 2017. Virgin Abandons Plane-Towing Plan The plan, which called for towing planes to starting girds from which they'd take off, was touted as having the potential of avoiding tons of emissions per flight. But the practice wears down landing gear. Environmental groups cry greenwash. Groups Offers Advice for Green Collar Job Creation A green economy has the potential to lift many of America's cities from the uncertainty that is casting a shadow over the nation's economy, according to new research. Samsung Launches New Printer Recycling Program Samsung, which bills itself as the world's second largest laser printer manufacturer, launched the PrintCycle program offering a three-year product refresh. U.K. Green Budget Hits Gas Guzzlers and Plastic Bags Wide range of environmental taxes and targets increase pressure on firms to cut emissions from transport and buildings, but renewables and green investment sectors left disappointed. AMB Opens Southeast's First LEED Industrial Building in Port of Savannah The real estate investment company's 347,000 square foot facility will be certified to LEED-Silver levels, and is the first building in a planned green business park at the fast-growing shipping facility. Con-way Freight Slows Down Trucks to Save Fuel The transportation company won't let its trucks go above 62 miles per hour. Guide Urges Businesses to Address Ecosystem Changes "The Corporate Ecosystem Services Review" makes the case for business to be aware of how ecosystem changes can help or hurt them. Put GreenBiz news on your site for free! Learn more... > MORE NEWS HEADLINES Featured Resource A Wealth of Hands-On Help The Corporate Ecosystem Services Review This set of guidelines, accompanied by case studies from five businesses, explains the steps a business should take to identify what ecosystems it depends on and the risks and opportunities related to changes in those ecosystems. Green-Collar Jobs in America's Cities This guidance manual offer advice to cities that want to stimulate green job creation. It recommends a four-step strategy to recruit, train, and place thousands of workers in the new service, maintenance, installation, technical, and construction jobs that employers are seeking. > MORE TOOLS     > MORE WEB SITES Columns and Features Insight and Inspiration from the Experts Agriculture and Biodiversity: Challenges and Opportunities for Agribusiness By Annik Dollacker and Juan Gonzalez-Valero, Business.2010 Agriculture, as an industry that is both responsible for and most threatened by global climate change, faces a host of challenges to reach sustainability -- but a combination of traditional practices and new technologies offer promising solutions for the future of food. Smarter Paths Toward Sustainability By Patricia Calkins Corporate green efforts can deliver benefits to the top and bottom lines. These results are within reach when you take a disciplined, pragmatic and committed approach to the development and implementation of a smart green strategy. GreenBiz Blogs Joel Makower's Two Steps Forward: Clean Energy Trends 2008 > More from Joel Makower Marc Gunther on Corporate America: Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Women > More from Marc Gunther Wanna write for GreenBiz? GreenBiz is looking for guest and regular columnists and feature writers. We're seeking contributions from business leaders as well as the journalists who write about them. If you're interested, send a brief query to managing editor Matthew Wheeland, at editor@greenbiz.com | Read our editorial guidelines > MORE COLUMNS     > MORE FEATURES Send This Newsletter to Colleagues Spread the Word! Amaze Your Friends! Win Our Gratitude! Your Name: Your E-mail: Colleague's E-mail:   Separate each address with a comma (,) View our Privacy Policy    FEATURED BOOK The Power of Unreasonable People: How Social Entrepreneurs Create Markets That Change the World by John Elkington and Pamela Hartigan Case studies from around the world form the backbone of this look at how unpredictable and unexpected ideas from entities including Whole Foods, Live Aid and the World Toilet Organization can improve the planet while boosting the bottom line. > BUY IT! | READ MORE FEATURED EVENT Stanford Socially and Environmentally Responsible Supply Chains Conference Host: Stanford Socially and Environmentally Responsible Supply Chains Program Date: April 22, 2008 Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif. This conference will explore how breakthrough socially and environmentally responsible supply chain practices can fundamentally change business models, lead to overall improved business performance, and strengthen organizations. > SUBMIT YOUR EVENT News Releases from the World of Green Business > Nordstrom to Transition to Environmentally Friendly Shopping Bags and Boxes > Globe Foundation Announces Winners for Globe Awards Celebrating Leaders in Environmental Excellence > SC Johnson Commits to Additional Renewable Energy Source > Green-e Energy Certifies PacifiCorp’s Blue Sky Program > More from the Wire > Submit Your News Release > About this Service YOUR AD HERE! Become a GreenBuzz sponsor or advertiser, reaching tens of thousands of businesses every week. Click Here to receive more information. Please e-mail content queries to the GreenBiz Editor.   GREENBUZZ and GreenBiz.com are produced by Greener World Media, Inc. Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. 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