sustainable business westerman

How many points do you need to get "certified"? How often do you have to get re-assessed?

80 points out of a possible 200 in a 150 question survey Reassesed every 2 years

How much energy is saved in recycling an aluminum can

95% (than from new materials)

How can sustainability create value for business?

Drives innovation New markets- generated by growing ecological and social needs Differentiates business Protects and enhances brands by stakeholder influence Provides employee with "purpose" motive Improved efficiency Risk mitigation

What are the three spheres of sustainability?

Economy, Environment, Equity (social)

what is negawatt?

Energy you don't use, but you don't use it more efficiently Ex. Install Energy conserving appliances in homes instead of paying 100 million to build a dam, which produces more megawatts

What are the 3 P's of sustainable business?

people, planet, profit

What are the primary categories of the Watauga County Green Business Scorecard? (the ones in "green").

Ø Community Involvement and Leadership Ø Energy Efficiency & Green Energy Ø Environmentally & Socially Responsible Purchasing Ø Preserving & Promoting Region's Natural & Cultural Heritage Ø Solid Waste Management Ø Transportation Ø Water Conservation & Quality

What is the proportion of children without adequate shelter?

1/3

What is the level of artic sea ice today compare to that of 1980?

1/5

Slide 49: What is the average atmospheric lifetime of a CO2 molecule?

100 years

How many trees are saved for each ton of recycled paper?

17 trees

what is the current ppm level of CO2 ? and how much is it rising each year?

400 ppm, 2.11ppm/yr

What is the Brundtlandt Commission/World Commission on Environment and Development definition of Sustainability?

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future

What's the value of a tree (according to the video)?

$161,000

Why would a firm consider B-Corp status?

A firm would consider B-corp status to differentiate itself from competitors, attract investors, generate press, protect their mission statement, attract and engage talent and generate leadership by voluntarily holding themselves to higher standards of corporate purpose.

Who certifies "certified B-corps"?

B-Lab, a non-profit organization

What is the difference between a benefit corporation and a certified b-corp?

Benefit Corporations (B-Corps) is a legal status given by the state and do NOT require certification through the nonprofit group B-Lab. Certified Benefit corporations require certification through B-Lab, assuring a higher standard of overall social and environmental performance. Certified B-corps have access to a portfolio of services and support that non-certified B-Corps do not.

What is a benefit corporation?

Benefit corporation is a legal status administered by the state. Benefit corporations do NOT need to be certified. A new class of corporation that are required to create a material positive impact on society and the environment and to meet higher standards of accountability and transparency.

How can you distinguish between social enterprises and traditional charity, and traditional business?

Role of Social Value Creation Social Structure Purpose Financing Sustainability Time Frame

What is the difference between a shareholder and stakeholder approach to business management?

Shareholder Model - Firm's fiduciary duty is to focus on sole stakeholder - shareholders/owners of the firm and profit maximization (Friedman) Stakeholder Model - Other groups are effective by org's activities, and their interests should be considered and aligned (Freeman)

What is the concept of social resiliency? What does it have to do with sustainability?

Social resiliency is the ability of communities to cope with external stresses Sustainable communities need to be able to withstand natural disasters and have the resources to recover

What is the ecological footprint (in terms of acres) for U.S. vs India?

U.S. = 12.2 acres to meet the average consumer's needs, India = 1 acre

What are the primary differences between the Watauga County Green Business Checklist and the NC State Sustainable Workplace Checklist?

WCGBC: places more emphasis on community well being (not just community service hours), gives points for renewable energy, section ofg n "preserving cultural heritage" NCSSWC: emphasis on efficiency, more specific actions Surprises: emphasis on responsible purchasing

What are the IPCC estimates for average:

a) "worst case" scenario for temperature change in Fahrenheit by 2100 4ºC (7.2ºF) Rise b) "best case" scenario for temperature change in Fahrenheit by 2100 1°C (1.8°F) Rise