Colleges and universities are the laboratories for sustainability practices. In recent decades, words like “sustainable” and “renewable” have found their way into the mission statements of most institutions. Whole departments and many courses of study focus on environmentally positive activity and resource management.
5 LEED-Certified Healthcare Facilities | Aexcel
More hospitals each year are embracing sustainable design by achieving the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certification while constructing or retrofitting their facilities. The LEED program is administered by US Green Building Council using a strict set of criteria. As of 2013, only three hospitals had achieved Platinum LEED status, the pinnacle of…
Fostering a Sustainable Future for Your Career and Community | Aexcel
Sustainability has evolved from an interesting buzz-word in the halls of industry and academia into a comprehensive strategy shaping institutional initiatives and producing innovative, active solutions to some of society’s most perplexing issues. One pillar of sustainability initiatives is minimizing the negative effects of chemical and energy misuse. Renewable and sustainable energy sources, elimination of…
What’s Your Sustainable Competitive Advantage? I Aexcel
Sustainability and competitive advantage are no longer mutually exclusive concepts. As the public becomes more aware of the realities of environmental abuse, many consumers have begun to look to companies that are creatively employing sustainable practices. And many sustainable products and practices today are less expensive to use and not as capital intensive to buy…
Refine Your Vision of Sustainability Using Data | Aexcel
In my previous post I shared the importance of establishing a baseline for energy performance, setting goals and developing a plan as the first steps to a more sustainable operation. For public sector organizations hoping to identify existing conditions, I suggest contacting your State Energy Office. Many states offer basic energy audits at little, to…
How to Improve Sustainability Within Your Supply Chain | Aexcel
As companies embrace sustainability and environmental friendliness, they frequently look for solutions developed by their competitors and organizations outside their industry facing similar challenges.
Sustainability: How Does Your Organization Define It? | Aexcel
Defining sustainability can be a moving target to say the least. Organizations must examine their own unique circumstances and challenges in formulating their long term sustainability strategies. Formulating strategy must begin with a well-defined goal and vision for organizational sustainability. This definition lays the groundwork for overall action.
How to Write an Effective “Green” Grant I Aexcel
Funding from government and private grants fuels sustainability and environmental progress in the United States. Each year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) alone awards over $4 billion in grants to support organizations to foster sustainable activity.
Does Your Organization Have a “Sustainability Czar”? | Aexcel
Sustainability Needs a Leader Over the past decade, nearly every major company has made a clear commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness. Some are driven by consumer perception and economic benefit while other initiatives stem from a sincere, management-driven desire to preserve the environment for future generations. Sustainability is now included in most Mission Statements.
Creating a Culture of Sustainability: Developing Group Commitment | Aexcel
Once top management makes organizational stability a priority and designates an empowered leader to direct the project, creating universal commitment is next. This encourages all stakeholders to elevate sustainability to a level on par with all other objectives like profit, quality and operational excellence. Integrating the mindset of sustainability into every individual aims at creating…