Green Next

Making the right decision, buying ENERGY STAR products

In 1992 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the Energy Star program on a voluntary basis to promote energy efficient computers and monitors. The initiative grew to include major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics, and many other products.  Energy Star products need to meet specific standards and specifications.  Products with the Energy Star label give you the same features and abilities as other similar products, but use less energy.       

How do products earn the Energy Star label?

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes specifications based on a set of principles.  The principles state that Energy Star products must use significantly less energy on a national scale and must have the same features and deliver the same results as their competitors while using less energy.  If an Energy Star product costs more initially, consumers must be able to recover the cost difference through energy savings.  The principles also encourage manufacturers to explore different suppliers for new technologies that are available.  In addition, performance and energy use must be tested and measured with the results clearly stated on a product label.  The label is to be placed in a highly visible location on the product.  Specifications are revised periodically to remain current, for example the 5^th revision of the Energy Star specifications for computers took effect in July 2009. 

The real question is why is it important for you to buy Energy Star products?

SAVE ENERGY & RESOURCES

You’ll be doing the world a favor by saving energy and natural resources, future generations will thank you for it! 

According to the “Refrigerator Retirement Calculator” on the Energy Star website, a 19.0-24.4 Cubic foot top freezer refrigerator built between 1992-1995 uses 1285 kWh/year.  By switching to an Energy Star refrigerator you can reduce energy consumption by over 65% to 411 kWh per year.

SAVE ON ENERGY BILLS

Products that meet Energy Star specifications are designed to save energy. This can reduce your usage of gas and electricity, thereby reducing your household bills.  According to EPA, about $40 billion is spent annually in the US to air condition buildings — one-sixth of all electricity generated in a year! ENERGY STAR qualified roof products reduce the amount of air conditioning needed in buildings, and can reduce energy bills by up to 50 percent. 

FEDERAL TAX CREDIT FOR HOME OWNERS 

Energy efficient products or renewable energy systems purchased for your home may be eligible for a federal tax credit.  Products such as biomass stoves, insulation, windows, doors, roofs, heating units, air conditioners and water heaters are eligible for a 30% of cost tax credit up to maximum of $1500. There are some conditions, rental units and new construction are not applicable and it must be your principle residence.  It’s important to note that not all Energy Star products are included in the tax credit. 

Energy Star gives citizens a chance to do what is best for the Environment, in a simple and accessibly format.  The Us Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed all of the work in order to make these choices easy for consumers. For more information visit www.energystar.gov

GLOBAL REPORTING INITIATIVES (GRI)

It’s true we’ve all been looking for a way to report and track our efforts in sustainability, GRI gives companies that opportunity!  GRI is an organization that has developed the most widely used sustainable reporting framework in use today.

The history of Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) started with its initial launch by the Boston based non-profit organization CERES in 1998.   The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) partnered with GRI in 1999, assuring a global position for the organization.  In 2000 the first sustainable reporting guidelines were released by GRI; fifty organizations submitted reports that year.  The guidelines were updated in 2001, the same year that GRI became an independent organization.  The steering committee was dissolved in 2002 and the Board of Directors was formed.  The institution grew to include formal business and development plans with status all over the world.  By 2006 the third installment of the guidelines (G3) was published and the number of companies that had completed reports based on GRI guidelines had grown to over 850.  In 2008 the institution boasted 507 stakeholders in 55 different countries.  GRI called on government to require ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) disclosure from all companies in 2009. 

GRI is for all intents and purpose is now the international standard used by over a thousand companies for corporate reporting on environmental, social and economic performance. What started with a framework for sustainable reporting has now grown into a global action network.  GRI provides companies with a framework and guidelines to report their environmental, social and economic performance in terms of sustainability. Reports are generally related to laws, international social norms, codes, performance standards and voluntary initiatives. It shows that the organization is committed to sustainable business and development and provides companies with a means to monitor their actions.   The reporting is standardized and the guidelines are available to the public free of charge.   

G3 (third instalment of guidelines) offers a broad outline that is relevant to all organizations. The first section of the guidelines uses Principles that ensure that report developers and users share a common understanding of the GRI reporting approach. For example, if you want to ensure report quality then you would use the Principles of balance, comparability, accuracy, timelines, clarity and reliability.  The guidelines include definitions for Principles and self-tests that are used to apply the Principles.   

Standard disclosures, found in the second section of the guidelines, include the companies profile, management approach and performance indicators.  The profile allows readers to understand the company’s sustainability issues. Management approach discloses the company’s performance standards and may include goals, policies and the organizations responsibilities.  Performance indicators are used to monitor results.   

GRI reporting is a significant undertaking for a business; the framework provides businesses with a thorough reporting system that encompasses sustainability.  It is well worth the effort when the end is a focused “Sustainability Report” 

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTY (CSR)

“Corporate Social Responsibility” is a movement that has been around for many years.  Some of the earliest articles on the subject were published in the 1960s and some information may even date back 150 years in the United Kingdom through benevolent capitalism.  The term “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR) came into common use during the 1970s when large multi-national companies formed.  The concept is essentially a business approach that focuses attention not only on its responsibility to make a profit but also its responsibility and role in society. 

Definitions on the subject are available, and differ slightly.  “A guide to corporate social responsibility” published by the University of
Miami defines CSR as:

a means of analyzing the inter-dependent relationships that exist between businesses and economic systems, and the communities within which they are based. CSR is a means of discussing the extent of any obligations a business has to its immediate society; a way of proposing policy ideas on how those obligations can be met; as well as a tool by which the benefits to a business for meeting those obligations can be identified

Sir Geoffrey Chandler, who wrote “Defining Corporate Social Responsibility”: Ethical Performance Best Practice, is commonly quoted in articles related to CSR for his reflection in the following sentence:

Thus, beyond making profits, companies are responsible for the totality of their impact on people and the planet.   

Ideally in most definitions corporate social responsibility directs businesses to make morale and ethical decisions that will not affect the environment, people or the economy, while ensuring they are also making a profit.  Often we refer to this as going above and beyond their obligations. In order to succeed in CSR the business must incorporate the values into its day-to-day operations.  Also, the business must monitor their efforts and analyze the information to ensure a positive outcome. 

A common term used in “Corporate Social Responsibility” is the triple bottom line: people, planet, profit.  This refers to responsible environmental, social and financial business planning and operations.  The business practice itself is transparent and self-regulating.  “Corporate Social Responsibility” broadens the accountability of business to include the impacts it may have on people and the planet.  Adherence to the law, ethical standards, and international norms are included in the development of a corporate social responsible business.

A CSR business will concentrate efforts around community growth and engagement, volunteering to eliminate any harmful business practices and ensuring that public interests are included in their decision making.  Businesses and organization may use different terms to define their role in CSR.  Common terms include ethical codes, social responsibility policies and principles for responsible business, that focus on ensuring the business follows best management practices.

Green corporate social responsibility focuses on environmental responsibility.  Many professionals in the field believe that CSR has shifted more of its attention on environmental actions as compared to ten years ago when the attention was mainly focused on labor issues and philanthropy.   There are more companies taking on new projects that center around environmental responsibility.  Some good examples is the wide spread effort to become LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, meaning that the buildings operated by the company meet specific environmental standards.  Green procurement policies are also appearing in the business sector, these policies direct businesses on how to buy products in an environmentally responsible way. 

Some argue that ”Corporate Social Responsibility” inerferes with the main purpose of a business, making it more difficult to earn a profit.   While others believe that a business can promote itself in a manner that many customers and stakeholders appreciate, so much so that people will choose a more responsible business even if it cost them more.  Although Corporate Social Responsibility is debated at times, it still remains that it is a usefull tool for encouraging sustainable businesses and awareness throughout corporations.