SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MOVEMENT

Bellow is a list of organizations and networks that are engaging with businesses in order to integrate sustainability into their core strategies and further the environmentally and socially responsible business movement.

American Independent Business Alliance - “The American Independent Business Alliance helps organizers start and sustain Independent Business Alliances (IBAs).” The group provides resources such as how-to advice, important new and research, local campaigns, and a network of IBA’s to help share ideas and problem solve. The website also provides links to articles, recommended readings, and related websites.

BALLE - Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. Organization truly following the “think globally act locally” philosophy. Believe communities thrive by having strong local business ownership, economic justice, cultural diversity, and a healthy, natural environment. Follows mission by building networks among local businesses interested in maintaining a local living economy.

Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) is a global organization that helps member companies achieve success in ways that respect ethical values, people, communities and the environment. BSR provides information, tools, training and advisory services to make corporate social responsibility an integral part of business operations and strategies.

CERES is the largest coalition of environmental, investor, and advocacy groups working together for sustainable prosperity. These groups form a community of forward-looking companies that have committed to continuous environmental improvement by endorsing the CERES principles, a ten point code of environmental conduct.

Corporate Governance – “Enhancing return on capital through increased accountability.” Organization geared toward both institutional and individual investors. Believes accountability and better governed corporations creates wealth particularly when shareholders are active, informed participants in corporate decision-making. Organization helps to facilitate link between shareholders and corporations through resources, networks, and advocacy.

Future 500 is a global network of leadership companies who are seeking to learn how to maximize their triple bottom lines. Future 500 provides them with tools, training and consultation that can maximize corporate returns not just to shareholders, but to all their stakeholders, in the workplace, community, marketplace, and environment. Members include Coke, Ford, Nike, HP and Deloitte & Touche.

Global Reporting Initiative – As an official collaborating center of the United Nations Environmental Program this institution works to develop global Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. The Guidelines are intended to be used by businesses and organizations for reporting on “the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of their activities, products, and services.”

LOHAS Online is an acronym for Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability and the businesses that serve them. This is a growing segment of the population which controls a substantial amount of buying power. LOHAS companies practice sustainable capitalism, and LOHAS consumers or ‘Lohasians’, are interested in products covering a range of market sectors and sub-sectors, including: Green building supplies, socially responsible investing and “green stocks”, alternative healthcare, organic clothing and food, personal development media, yoga and other fitness products, eco-tourism and more

National Association of Socially Responsible Organizations – A non-profit business association that helps with one of the major business problems, health insurance.

Natural Capital Institute - “The Natural Capital Institute researches and initiates projects relating to the relationship between human and living systems, with particular emphasis on natural capital, green business, biomimicry, innovative design, and social justice.” Particular focus on Socially Responsible Investing Project and Database, and Wind Energy Resources Project.

Natural Logic / Gil Friend - “Helping companies and communities prosper by embedding the laws of nature at the heart of enterprise.” Offers advisory services to clients by applying the “Ecological Lens” – the wisdom available to us from the efficient, adaptive, resilient, and sustainable systems of nature. The “logic” is to create value by eliminating waste and increasing product, and to embrace environmental responsibility as “an ally of the bottom line”.

The Natural Step is a unique non-profit that provides a visionary blueprint for a sustainable world. They engage with companies to transform the way they do business by integrating sustainability principles into their core strategies, decisions, operations — and bottom line. They help companies understand how the current state of the world is impacting business systems, and how, in turn, business systems are impacting the state of the world.

The Natural Step US Originally developed in Sweden, The Natural Step is a comprehensive model for strategic decision making. It supports the development of sustainable businesses and sustainable communities, large and small. The Natural Step is based on systems thinking. It recognizes that what happens in one part of a system affects every other part. It will help you explore the system within which you operate to understand the rules, restrictions and assumptions that exist. Through the Principles of Sustainability each business and community can define a sustainable vision for the organization. The website contains links to the TNS Primer, which is an excellent introduction to sustainability.

Net-Impact is a network of emerging business leaders committed to using the power of business to create a better world. It is also the most progressive and influential network of MBAs in existence today. Originally founded as Students for Responsible Business in 1993, Net Impact serves to broaden business education, refine leadership skills, and pursue professional goals, while building networks.

Social Venture Network “SVN promotes new models and leadership for socially and environmentally sustainable business in the 21st century.” As a nonprofit network, they do this by championing member initiatives, information services, and community forums.

Sustainable Business is designed for companies that show exceptional leadership by committing to address the ecological crisis as it relates to their industry. This site provides direct access to the information and tools sustainable business people need, including meaningful employment and resources for sustainable business development. “We help green businesses grow.” A thorough and broad site covering many aspects of the sustainable business movement, like green building, renewable energy, and information on green investing. Listing news, events, Green Dream Jobs, and Business Connections that help connect partners, distributors, and other players in growing businesses.

World Business Academy – “An Academy of Business Executives & Entrepreneurs Dedicated to Building a Better World,” who are promoting the notion that “business must adopt a new tradition of responsibility for the whole.” The “Academy” works on researching sustainable business strategies, and provides a collaborative network for progressive business leaders.

World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCD)is an international trade association of multi-national companies that provide business leadership toward sustainable development, and promote the role of eco-efficiency, innovation and corporate social responsibility. They claim to be the leading business advocate on issues connected with sustainable development; and they participate in policy development in order to create a framework that allows business to contribute effectively to sustainable development.

Wisdom Business Network - “delivers global learning, networking and support to business people who value work that is deeply meaningful, creative, profitable and fun.” Offering services & directories, teleconferences & events, and community connections. Membership-based, with some features available only to business members.

SUSTAINABLE CITY MOVEMENT

Milwaukee Office of Environmental Sustainability is a Mayor’s initiative to coordinate efforts to improve water quality, reduce energy consumption, and stimulate green technology; site offers information and great links to local/state green organizations and businesses.

Sustain Dane is a non-profit organization promoting sustainability in the Madison/Dane County area of Wisconsin. There programs and initiatives include organizing sustainability discussion courses, providing weekly updates of local sustainability news, publishing an annual directory of Madison/Dane County area sustainability organizations, publishing a list of books related to sustainability topics in the South-Central Library system, sponsoring various sustainability related lectures and workshops and hosting a website and listserv that serves as a clearinghouse of information including examples and indicators, event announcements, employment opportunities and recently released reports.

Sustainable Seattle is a non-profit advancing sustainability in Seattle area through awareness, coalition-building, assessment, action; site describes programs, lists great links.

Sustainable South Bronx is an organization for environmental justice through innovative, sustainable projects; site describes projects, environmental background, participation.

SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE MOVEMENT

Here are some organizations working on informing the public about environmental, social, and economic concerns and inspiring more conscious decisions in the minds of consumers.

A BETTER FUTURE is a one-of-a-kind “gateway” site to sustainable development. This site raises public awareness and promotes a societal movement toward more sustainable lifestyles. Helping the public from all walks of life better appreciate the scientific issues that underlie progress on global sustainability is at the heart of this site.A Better Future offers a portal to information needed to recognize the many connected issues in our world and how the kinds of choices we make based upon this understanding will affect the consequences of our actions (the 3 Cs). It does not try to tell you how to live, but rather provides you with enough information so you can make your own, well-informed decisions about how you conduct your life in relationship to sustainability.The goals of “A Better Future” include:

• To increase the awareness for sustainable development issues with the public.
• To increase the societal health/quality of life literacy of the public.
• To scientifically inform the public about the interdependencies among environmental, economic, and social equity concerns in their lives.
• To influence grassroots change in social behavior that will lead to a more sustainable society world-wide.

Center for a New American Dream helps Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice. At their web site, you will:

• Find tips and tools to live consciously, buy wisely and make a difference
• Learn from other members’ inspirations, experiences, and expertise
• Teach and learn from thousands of others who are, like you, trying to get more of what matters by living consciously, buying wisely and making a difference.
• Find New Dream-sponsored events near you and publicize your own
• Suggest and discuss future actions for the community to take
• Take action to push businesses and governments to change the way goods are produced and consumed

Climate Project is a movement to educate and challenge citizens and governments into action against global warming; site offers tips, resources, interactive facts and articles, events by state.

Co-op America – “Practical skills for using your consumer and investment power for social change.” Membership organization providing resources for making sustainable purchasing decisions, such as their Green Pages program. Also sponsor campaigns pushing for social or environmental sustainability, as well as organize an annual Green Business Conference.

Heifer International – Non-profit working with communities to end poverty and hunger by providing food sources (animals, trees) and support to “pass on the gift;” site offers resources for learning and getting involved.

Idealist.org - Non-profit with resources for imagining a better world, connecting with others, taking action in your community, reaching out to others, posting/finding nonprofit jobs/volunteer opportunities/events, and donating to support these efforts.

Institute for Alternative Futures is a research and education non-profit helping individuals and organizations choose and create preferred futures; site has information on futuring methods, links to current projects and resources for associations, government, education, health, and the environment.

Midwest Renewable Energy Association is an extensive resource for renewable energy and energy efficiency in central Wisconsin. They have a Renew the Earth Institute that showcases renewable energy and holds classes, as well as the largest sustainable living and renewable energy fair in the country held annually each June.

TransFair USA is a non-profit fair trade certifier; site offers resources about fair trade and how to get involved, fair trade store.

Wisconsin Partners for Sustainability is committed to applying principles of sustainability to our work and leisure activities. They are committed to the following:

• Creating a physical environment that supports and enhances individual health and well-being.
• Eliminating or reducing material waste by using only materials that are absolutely necessary, are produced in an environmentally friendly manner and can be disposed of by reusing or recycling.
• Finding new ways of delivering goods and services that have either no impact or a neutral impact on the environment.
• Seeking to partner and collaborate with others.
• Acting in ways that enhance the economic viability of the community.
• Continually looking at the potential social, economic, and environmental impact of today’s actions and decisions on the future. and
• Seeking out partners, suppliers and vendors that follow these same principles.

World Changing – Website/online community for links to existing tools, ideas, and models for a better future; resources for products, shelter, cities, community, business, politics, planet.

SUSTAINABILE POLICY MOVEMENT

These organizations include non-profits and other organizations researching more sustainable practices, working on national policy, and fighting for public interest.

The Apollo Alliance is a coalition of labor, business, environmental, and community leaders working to catalyze a clean energy revolution that will put millions of Americans to work in a new generation of high-quality, green-collar jobs. Inspired by the Apollo space program, this organization promotes investments in energy efficiency, clean power, mass transit, next-generation vehicles, and emerging technology, as well as in education and training.

Center On Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) is a national policy center and field laboratory for high-road economic development — a competitive market economy of shared prosperity, environmental sustainability, and capable democratic government.

Corporate Sunshine Working Group - “An alliance of investors, environmental organizations, unions and public interest groups working to enforce and expand Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) corporate social and environmental disclosure requirements.” Achieves mission by building a coalition of organizations and individuals requesting more enforcement from the SEC, researching corporations not abiding regulation, and educating the public about including people and the environment on the books.

Corporate Watch – A non-profit organization committed to “holding corporations accountable.” Functions as a resource on corporate globalization research, news stories, and ways to take action. Also, organizes campaigns against political campaign financing, greenwashing, and war-profiteering.

Earth Leadership Institute is a program training Northwest citizens to be sustainability leaders; site offers resources for projects for lawyers and psychologists/mental health workers for sustainability.

Environmental Defense is a leading national nonprofit organization. Their mission is to protecting the environmental rights of all people, including future generations. Among these rights are clean air and water, healthy and nourishing food, and a flourishing ecosystem. They are renown for linking science, economics and law to create innovative, equitable and cost-effective solutions to society’s most urgent environmental problems.

Environmental Law & Policy Center is a Midwest public interest environmental advocacy organization providing strategy for environmental policy/action and legal/policy assistance to local environmental groups; site offers accessible and detailed policy research, action opportunities, environmental directory.

Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a not-for-profit environmental research organization that uses the power of information to improve public health and protect the environment by reducing pollution in air, water and food. Based in Washington, D.C., and with an office in Oakland, California, EWG conducts groundbreaking, computer-assisted research on a variety of environmental issues. Recent EWG research topics have included pesticides in foods, air, and water; the cutback in energy conservation programs by California utilities; and toxic substances in beauty products.

Fighting Bob was one of this country’s first progressives. His legacy is carried on by Ed Garvey through this website. Find articles written by many Wisconsin progressives, and others critical of the current state administration. This is the only site that is directed at what is happening in our state.

Forum for the Future - A UK sustainable development charity helping businesses, government, and the public sector with sustainability issues; site has some UK futures research and link to its Green Futures magazine.

Global Exchange is an nonprofit organization that envisions a people-centered globalization that values the rights of workers and the health of the planet; that prioritizes international collaboration as central to ensuring peace; and that aims to create a local, green economy designed to embrace the diversity of our communities.In a world where the economics of quantity fuels corporate power and political greed, the elite are reaping profits while working people and the planet are left to pay the price. In response to the global degradation caused by this system of elite globalization, Global Exchange envisions an alternative economics of quality centered upon protecting international human rights to ensure that the cost of globalization does not come at the expense of us all.

Global Green USA – US affiliate of Green Cross Intl. with focus on stemming climate change, providing safe drinking water, eliminating weapons of mass destruction; site provides resources and steps for action.

Midwest Social Forum – (MWSF) is an annual gathering of grassroots organizations, community activists, workers, educators, students, artists, and others committed to making a better, more just world possible. The MWSF provides an open space for exchanging experiences and information, strengthening alliances and networks, and developing effective strategies for progressive social, economic, and political change.

The New Rules Project – “A comprehensive resource for policymakers, organizations and activists looking for innovative public policies enacted around the world that can be used to make communities vibrant and strong!” The site, run by The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), proposes a “new set of rules” which supports humanly scaled politics and economics. Some of these rules call for, “Decisions made by those who will feel the impact of those decisions,” and increasing “communities’ productive capacities to generate wealth.” The principles of “new localism” are presented through case studies, instances of “new rules” already put in place by communities around the country, and articles on the principles behind these rules.

Organic Farming Research Foundation is a non-profit whose mission is to sponsor research related to organic farming practices, to disseminate research results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems, and to educate the public and decision-makers about organic farming issues.

Program on Corporations, Law & Democracy – “We are 13 activists working with individuals and existing groups to launch democratic insurgencies that put corporations once again subordinate to ‘We the People’.” Group develops vital research and analysis: reading lists, pamphlets on critical issues, a thrice-yearly publication (By What Authority) an anthology on corporations and democracy, videos, powerpoint presentations, and workshops on strategic engagement.

Reclaim Democracy – “Restoring citizen authority over corporations.” Covering civil rights, corporate accountability, corporate personhood, globalization, transforming politics, and more, this site serves as a kind of clearinghouse for topics of interest to those concerned about the state of both the private and public sectors of the nation. A little rough around the edges in terms of format, the site offers an impressive range of information and articles, defining both the apparent problems and some possible solutions.

Redefining Progress - “Working with a broad array of partners to shift the economy and public policy towards sustainability.” Offering tools like the Ecological Footprint Calculator and the Genuine progress Indicator, information on recent policy developments, and initiatives like Environmental Justice & Climate Change, this group appears to be very engaged in the legwork that would have to go into “redefining progress”.

Rocky Mountain Institute - Non-profit advising individuals and groups on environmental energy/resource efficiency with design teams for the built environment, energy/resources, breakthrough design.

Sierra Club – One of US’ oldest, largest environmental organizations for the protection, restoration, and responsible use of earth’s resources; site has extensive resources for information, networking, and action.

Wellstone Action -Paul Wellstone was a progressive senator from Minnesota who was killed in an airplane crash in 2002. Wellstone Action is a national center for training and leadership development in the progressive movement. Founded in January 2003, Wellstone Action’s mission is to honor the legacy of Paul and Sheila Wellstone by training, educating, mobilizing and organizing a vast network of progressive individuals and organizations to engage in their tradition of politics.

Wisdom Leadership – “The Wisdom Leadership Initiative exists to explore and support the wisdom of women in leadership.” Addresses the “intuitive”, feminine side of sustainable practices, and promotes inquiry into what it means to be a wise leader – as a woman or man. Offers coaching, speakers, publications, and other resources to members.