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.
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 environmental commitment, while 20 others had been awarded Gold status for their investment in sustainability.
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 harmful chemicals that pollute the air and water, and recycling of waste products are some general objectives of sustainability. Sustainable processes and products are constantly being developed and adopted at universities, municipalities, and corporations to achieve this mission.
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 than traditional ones. Sustainable solutions may lower cost and improve efficiency, resulting in a more favorable bottom line and competitive advantage.
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 no cost. If a State does not offer options to provide energy audits, there are a number of Energy Service Companies (ESCO’s) that may offer audit services as a standalone service or part of a larger comprehensive energy management program.
As companies embrace sustainability and environmental friendliness, they frequently look for solutions developed by their competitors and organizations outside their industry facing similar challenges.
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.
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.
