GREENBUZZ :: April 14, 2008

April 14, 2008 News, Tools & Resources from GreenBiz.com Hot Topics   |   News   |   Resources   |   Job Link   |   Our Sites   |   About GreenBiz.com   Taking Care of Business A suite of stories this week seems to underscore the power of activism in moving companies to address their environmental impacts. This is a perception of NGOs that bumps against conventional wisdom. My conversations with companies in recent months yields a distinct impression that activists have lost their clout -- that their protests and saber-rattling no longer strikes fear in companies the way they used to. Those perceptions don't hold up to today's headlines. Ford bowed to activist shareholders, committing to become the first automaker to detail its strategy to reduce its vehicles' greenhouse gas emissions; pressure on GM to do likewise is likely follow. Wal-Mart's vow to improve the environmental impacts of its Chinese suppliers is part of the company's overarching green goals, largely the result of a massive push by activists to transform the retail giant. So, too, with Fiji Water, which just disclosed the carbon footprint of its supply chain, which involves shipping bottled water from the South Pacific. The company has been severely criticized for what activists believe is an unsustainable business model. And Sierra Pacific's plan to build a new coal-fired power plant is receiving poor grades from both an environmental and financial perspective, according to a new study. Such developments notwithstanding, my sense is that many of the environmental watchdogs have lost their bite. One reason is that while times have changed, many activists haven't. Yesterday's politics of complaint -- of saying no and accepting nothing less than perfect -- resonate less in a world where companies increasingly are on the march, proactively examining and addressing their impacts. With few exceptions (Environmental Defense Fund being the most prominent), NGOs haven't yet learned how to play "good cop," saying to companies the equivalent of "Thank you, now do more." It's always, "No, that's not good enough." Still, as these stories suggest, the bad cop is still very much on the beat. This is a good thing. A healthy activist sector is much needed -- and even welcomed by some corporate types. More than a few environmental professionals inside big companies have confessed to me their appreciation of activists in prodding their bosses in ways that the professionals hadn't succeeded in doing themselves. In some cases, activist campaigns justify the professionals' existence, giving them a new lease on life -- or, at least, their jobs. So, don't write environmental activism off anytime soon. Their efforts may not always be pleasant, or polished, but they still seem to get the job done. And that's what counts. -- Joel Makower, Executive Editor 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 SunChips Gathers Energy From its Namesake A Modesto, Calif., SunChips plant will turn on a field of solar concentrators later this month, eventually gathering enough heat from the sun to power its chip manufacturing line. Ford Yields to Shareholder Pressure, Outlines Plan to Reduce GHG Emissions Bowing to pressure from a bloc of shareholders, Ford has become the first automaker to detail its strategy to reduce its fleet's greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2020. Paper Purchasing of Major Office Suppliers Shows Improvement Major office supply companies have made progress incorporating more environmentally responsible practices, according to a new report card, which gave Staples and FedEx Kinkos top scores. Marriott Pledges $2 Million to Protect Brazilian Rainforest Marriott International has committed funds to preserve a 1.4 million acre rainforest in Brazil and has announced new and expanded environmental goals for its hotels and supply chain. U.K. McDonald's Turn Trash Into Energy A pilot program sending trash from McDonald's restaurants to an incinerator has reduced carbon emissions related to waste disposal by more than 50 percent. Wal-Mart to Expand Environmental Efforts to Chinese Suppliers Wal-Mart will meet with many of its Chinese suppliers later this year to set goals on environmental initiatives, the latest step the retailer has taken to green its supply chain throughout the world. United Steelworkers Join NGOs to Promote Green Collar Jobs North America's largest manufacturing union teamed with the Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council to perform grassroots organizing, stage public events and spread the results of independent reports that have studied the economic potential of shifting to a green economy. Office Depot Launches Green Product Line The product line called Office Depot Green runs the gamut to include remanufactured ink and toner cartridges to chairs made from recycled content. Meanwhile, Amazon unveiled Green3, a collection of its green products and opportunity for customers to name their favorite green products. P&G and Domtar Step Up Sustainable Foresty Committments Procter & Gamble and Domtar Corp. joined the North America Forest & Trade Network (NAFTN) in a bid to make their wood-based products more sustainably sourced. Fiji Water Discloses Supply Chain Carbon Footprint, Plans to Reduce Environmental Impact Fiji Water has revealed the carbon footprint of its entire supply chain as well as plans to reduce emissions, reduce materials used and help reforest Fiji. HP Offers Free Ink Cartridge Recycling to California State Agencies Hewlett-Packard is working with state agencies to take back and recycle ink cartridges for free, along with providing rewards points for buying HP products. Nevada Utility's Coal Pursuit a Risk for Investors, Ratepayers: Report A plan to build a new coal-fired power plant in Nevada will expose the shareholders of Sierra Pacific Resources to "significant financial and environment risks," according to a financial advisory firm. Put GreenBiz news on your site for free! Learn more... > MORE NEWS HEADLINES Featured Resource A Wealth of Hands-On Help Unisource Greenfinder Unisource Worldwide, a distributor of paper, packaging and facility supplies, launched its UnisourceGreen website, which provides details on some of its greener supplies, explains the various environmental certifications and labels available for paper and lets customers search for paper based on certain qualities. > MORE TOOLS     > MORE WEB SITES Columns and Features Insight and Inspiration from the Experts ESCOs and Utilities: Shaping the Future of the Energy Efficiency Business By Andy Frank Energy Service Companies like Johnson Controls and Ameresco have developed a partnership with utility companies that, through cooperation and competition alike, shows that in the post-Enron world, energy efficiency can be both profitable and beneficial. Sustainable Packaging and the Five Stages of Grief By Dennis Salazar Many in the business community reflect on the how the green economy will impact their industries with reactions reminiscent of the "Five Stages of Grief." GreenBiz Blogs Joel Makower's Two Steps Forward: A Deeper Dive into the Business of Water > More from Joel Makower Marc Gunther on Corporate America: Marriott Tree Huggers > More from Marc Gunther David Wigder's Green Marketing Strategies: Open Skies Agreement Provides a Glimpse of What's to Come in a Carbon-Regulated Environment > More from David Wigder 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    GREENBIZ IS HIRING! > Sales Representative Greener World Media Oakland, Calif. > Associate Editor Greener World Media Oakland, Calif. > Administrative Assistant Greener World Media Oakland, Calif. > MORE JOB LISTINGS FEATURED BOOK 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth by John Javna, Sophie Javna, and Jesse Javna 50 Simple Things is back in a completely revised format. The authors have teamed up with 50 of America's top environmental groups, each of which provides a simple, step-by-step program on a specific issue. > BUY IT! > READ MORE FEATURED EVENT Writing Your Sustainability Plan: Process and Framework Host: University of Oregon Division of Continuing Education Date: May 9, 2008 Location: UO Portland Center, Portland, OR A sustainability plan is both a guidance document as well as the foundation for a reporting system. This workshop will walk you through the steps of creating a plan as well as share tips and stories for implementing that plan most effectively. > SUBMIT YOUR EVENT News Releases from the World of Green Business > Anheuser-Busch Employees Seeing Green > America's Greenest Winery? > Beyond Green: Report Reveals Consumers Look Deeper When Making Purchasing Decisions Based on Eco-claims > Joie de Vivre's Hotel Carlton Becomes First Solar-Powered Hotel in San Francisco > 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. Disclaimer | About Us | Privacy Policy Forward email Email Marketing by GreenBiz.com | Greener World Media, Inc. | Oakland | CA | 94610