The Green to Gold Business Playbook How to Implement Sustainability Practices for Bottom-Line Results in Every Business Function

by Esty, Daniel C.; Simmons, P.J.

• ISBN13: 9780470590751
• ISBN10: 0470590750
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-04-19
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

This book seeks to build on the success of Green to Gold, which showed that business leaders have come to understand that (1) environmental issues have become a critical element of strategy, and (2) the environment is not just a burden but can also be an opportunity. While the logic of "going green" has become apparent, many business people remain unclear about how to "green" their operations in practice, let alone address wider sustainability challenges. The Green Business Playbook offers practical guidance on how to integrate environment and sustainability considerations into business plans and practices.In the current economic climate, business leaders want a concrete and concise collection of steps that will lead to environmental, social, and economic advantage. Unlike many green business books, the Playbook deals exclusively with tools and strategies that have been proven to work in real-world businesses. The Playbook also seeks to help businesses position themselves for the upturn and the opportunities that the new economy presents. In short, the Green Business Playbook provides businesses with the "know how" to enable them to create the business success they read of in Green to Gold.

Author Biography

Daniel C. Esty is the coauthor of the sustainable business bestseller Green to Gold. He is the Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy at Yale University and Director of the Center for Business and the Environment at Yale. He served as a senior official at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and more recently as an energy and environmental advisor to the Obama presidential campaign and transition team. As Chairman of Esty Environmental Partners (www.EstyEP.com), he’s advised CEOs across the world and designed strategies for 100+ companies in dozens of industries.

P. J. Simmons is Chairman if the Corporate Eco Forum (www.ecoforum.com), a preeminent network of senior Global 500 executives focused on sharing best and “next” practice in corporate sustainability and driving ecoinnovation. He has worked as a sustainability analyst, strategist, and bridge-builder for fifteen years; is founder of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars’ Environmental Change and Security Program; and was deputy chair for climate and energy at the Clinton Global Initiative. P. J. is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
Why Every Business Needs an Eco-Strategy	p. 3
How to Use This Book	p. 17
Gear Up: What Leaders Need to Know	p. 21
Building a Winning Eco-Advantage Strategy: Top 10 Action Items	p. 23
Making the Internal Business Case for Going Greener	p. 36
Analyze: Identify Your Eco-Risks and Opportunities	p. 59
Spot the Eco-Issues that Could Impact Your Bottom Line	p. 63
Assess and Measure Your Environmental Impacts	p. 81
Benchmark Your Performance against Competitors and Best Practices	p. 110
Strategize: How Each Business Function Can Benefit and Contribute	p. 123
Office-Activities	p. 125
Buildings and Facilities	p. 143
Information Technology	p. 169
Product Design	p. 190
Sourcing and Procurement	p. 205
Manufacturing and Processing	p. 221
Logistics and Transport	p. 245
Marketing and Sales	p. 268
Legal and Regulatory Affairs	p. 287
Accounting and Finance	p. 297
Mobilize: Execute and Engage	p. 313
Create an Action Plan-and Execute	p. 315
Build Your Climate Change Plan	p. 328
Mobilize Employees and Build an Eco-Advantage Culture	p. 340
Engaging Stakeholders	p. 358
Optimize: Evaluate, Report, and Reassess	p. 373
Communicate and Report Results	p. 375
Celebrate Success and Promote Continuous Improvement	p. 388
Notes	p. 393
Index	p. 429
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