Return on Sustainability: How Business Can Increase Profitability and Address Climate Change in an Uncertain Economy / Edition 1

by Kevin Wilhelm

Overview

This book highlights the risk of inaction for businesses when it comes to climate change, but also contains best practices to allow them to capitalize on the numerous business opportunities that climate change presents, including increased profitability, enhanced brand value, and improved shareholder relations. The first section contains practical actions and real-world case studies of companies, such as Yakima, Sun Microsystems, and Lockheed Martin, that have successfully improved their climate performances, enhanced brand value, and increased profitability at the same time. The second and third sections of this book focus on the various risks that companies face from potential carbon regulation and the market factors forcing businesses to take action, whether they want to or not.

This book provides the steps and strategies necessary to take leadership actions to help business "future-proof" society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780133445503
Publisher:	FT Press
Publication date:	05/07/2013
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.78(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.76(d)

About the Author

Kevin Wilhelm is the preeminent business consultant in the field of sustainability and climate change. He is the CEO of Sustainable Business Consulting, a Seattle-based consulting firm focused on demonstrating the bottom-line business benefits of sustainability and then leading companies through successful implementation. Kevin brings nearly two decades of experience working with businesses ranging from Fortune 500 multinationals to renewable energy start-ups. Some of his clients include Nordstrom, REI, The North Face, Coinstar/Redbox, Puget Sound Energy, American Seafoods, Drugstore.com, Brooks Sports, and more than 50 others.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments v
Foreword vii
Introduction xi
Section 1: Addressing Climate Change: The Business Benefit 1
Chapter 1: The Climate Imperative 3
Chapter 2: Carbon Footprinting 11
Chapter 3: Business Benefit 25
Chapter 4: Return on Sustainability (ROS) 41
Section 2: Policy, Regulation, & Carbon 59
Chapter 5: Public Policy 61
Chapter 6: Carbon Taxes & Cap and Trade 75
Section 3: The Market: Demanding Action 91
Chapter 7: Energy 93
Chapter 8: Finance 105
Chapter 9: Insurance 125
Chapter 10: Supply Chain Management 133
Chapter 11: Marketing to Green Consumers 147
Chapter 12: Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting 157
Final Thoughts 167
About My Firm: Sustainable Business Consulting 169
Glossary 177
Appendix A: Equator Principles Financial Institutions 183
Appendix B: United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment 187
Appendix C: Comparison of Businesses Across Various Sustainability Rankings 2007 191
Appendix D: CSR Standards & Certifications 197
Appendix E: Interview & Text Box References 203
Endnotes 207