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May 28, 2010

Comments

Bruce K

I think your timing is right in that many companies are still looking for standards that are meaningful, i.e. practical, performance oriented and that add value. The countervailing element is that many companies are suspicious of schemes that require expensive third-party certifications. Many have developed internal quality, reliability, safety, environmental auditing capability and some have their own sustainability standards as well (e.g. SC Johnson, P&G) My question is how can companies get involved in the stakeholder input process you mentioned? Thanks.

David Leventhal

The LEED standard was THE step to allow the green building industry to take off. As boring as they may sound and as time consuming as they are to create, standards are the basis for taking an idea from fad to industry. WE all talk about sustainable businesses, but standards allow us to define and rate. The problem with standards is that "nothing is standard" and creating a standard often does not provide the flexibility based on differences. But at least they are a basis from which to start. Bravo on this work. Look forward to seeing the outcomes.

Bob Willard

Joel, this is an exciting development. Good for you for hanging in on the project.

Have you considered collaborating with The Natural Step to ensure the standard aligns with the TNS systems conditions for a sustainable society / organization?

Regards,

Bob Willard
[email protected]
[email protected]
905-668-3525
www.sustainabilityadvantage.com

Douglas LaBier

Joel, this is a great step forward. Establishing standards provides an important framework. To me, it highlights an important element to be addressed: How to build the kind of leadership mindset and behavior needed to go forward. For e.g., as Bruce K. said in his comment, about the issue of companies getting involved in stakeholder input; and some suspicious of certifications. The thinking, strategies, management culture play an important role that can be overlooked.

Doug LaBier
[email protected]
www.centerprogressive.org
www.progressiveimpact.org

Ronald Gross

Joel:
The prior comments provide a great deal of support on the basis and value of creating benchmarks regarding standards, or benchmarks in the case of renewable/sustainable asset utilization. In particular, how do you envision a sustainability standard to impact industrial utilization of energy and resources?

From available public disclosure, the DOE, Georgia Tech, and Livermore among others has been working on just such a standard for industry. How would the UL standard interface with there's?

Thank You for your time and attention.

Ron Gross
Energy Pro
[email protected]

Johan

Is the draft still a secret?
Or do you want to tell us where we can find it?

Joel Makower

Johan: The draft is not a secret. It is undergoing internal review, following external stakeholder review beginning in July. As I said in my post, more developments to come throughout 2010 and beyond.

Joe Starinchak

I hope you include a biodiversity standard as well because regardless of how green a company becomes, you can't do business on a dead planet.

online shopping mall

Thanks for all your concern on our mother earth. We should move faster to prevent our planet from destruction.

dinesh

Joel - Catching this post a bit late, but very exciting nonetheless. I work in the compostable packaging space and a standard certification for compostability, via the ASTM & Biodegradable Products Institute, despite having been in place for years is finally starting to emerge and be known and recognized by the major players --> I've already seen first hand how this is doing great things for the space and businesses purchasing compostables.

I was just reading an article on triplepundit the other day highlighting that there is still massive mistrust among consumers re: green. Getting rigorous, comprehensive standards in place that are backed by leading institutions across the various green sections is absolutely key to winning the publics hearts and trust when it comes to acting more sustainable (both for businesses & consumers).

Gladys

I agree with you joel think is the best way of doing things
I was just reading an article on triplepundit the other day highlighting that there is still massive mistrust among consumers re: green. Getting rigorous, comprehensive standards in place that are backed by leading institutions across the various green sections is absolutely key to winning the publics hearts and trust when it comes to acting more sustainable (both for businesses & consumers).

HP.Bryce

I am glad you have established a set of standards and that more organizations or getting on board with Green Methods and procedures.

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