Sustainability frameworks and eco labels, seals, and standards

To date, there are many programs, guidelines, protocols, registries, and standards for reporting on sustainability and corporate social responsibility criteria.

These frameworks and resources help businesses to design and implement effective sustainability initiatives and to obtain measurable and meaningful results. However, organizations that wish to adopt one or more of the frameworks are likely to experience bewilderment when facing the choices.

Some of the tools capture, measure and report on one or all of these attributes: energy, water, waste, carbon footprint, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, employee aspect, operations, buildings, fairness and justice, communication and education, profits, and more. Examples include the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), WWF Climate Savers, the Green Business Checklist, Environmental Management Systems (EMS), the Climate Registry, ISO (ISO 14064), Carbon Disclosure Project, California Climate Action Registry, California Air Resource Board, Global Greenhouse Gas Registry, EPA’s Climate Leaders, the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, Walmart’s Sustainable Product Index, Energy Star rating, and other private companies’ methodologies for carbon-tracking, analysis and management.

In addition to cutting costs and optimizing business operations and performance, many companies recognize that ‘going green’ also means a huge competitive advantage and seek some sort of ‘green’ certification. There are hundreds of eco-logos, eco-labels, certificates or seals that are issued by third-party entities. Acquiring a label or a seal typically requires the company to apply for it, where the third-party issuer verifies the reported information, and may approve or certify the business by providing its logo or seal.    

There are approximately three hundred different ‘green stamps’ or labels for technology alone, worldwide. The numerous certificates and seals not only confuse consumers, they can also affect business strategy: there is no way any one given company can comply with all of them.

Moreover, legislation, mandates, and other government guidelines at the federal, state, county, and city levels have their sustainability specifics. Experts suggest that collaboration at an industry level is really important in creating standardized labeling. In addition, industry groups can influence legislation and advance positive environmental impact.

Finding out about the sustainability programs the leading companies in your industry implement will help you in selecting either a multiple-criterion program or a single-attribute guideline.

Organizations face a major challenge in presenting sustainability information to their customers and differentiating green attributes from competition. Transparency and being consistent is key in building trust and educating all stakeholders. Companies need to disclose the metrics they are using, the programs they implemented or plan to start, and the results.

Some technology companies incorporate sustainability into their core values. General messages of ‘eco’, ‘green’, ‘sustainable’, ‘Organic’, ‘Natural’, and similar phrases and symbols create confusion. For example, the recycling logo (three pointing arched arrows, arranged in a circle) is widely used and its direct relevance is not always clear or accurate. However, well educated consumers in the advantages of the offered product or service, as well as the personal benefit it brings, will more readily choose to ‘go green’.

Understanding how customers use your product or service, how you can help them reduce their costs, and of course, how you can serve them better – will all lead to win-win outcomes for everyone and move us in the ‘green’ direction.

Crossroad image from green.sympatico.msn.ca    

 RESOURCES

1. Global Reporting Initiative - Framework, guidelines and downloads

2. Dow Jones Sustainability World Index

3. California Climate Change Program and regulations: AB 32, SB 375, ARB and more.

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Tags: regulation, capture and meter carbon emissions, sustainable business, business strategies, transperancy in organizations, social corporate responsibility, sustainability best practices, sustainability trends, sustainability research, considerations for sustainability