Green Report Card: Colleges Graded Energy use, buildings, food, investments examined CAMBRIDGE,

Green Report Card: Colleges Graded Energy use, buildings, food, investments examined CAMBRIDGE,

MASS - The Sustainable Endowments Institute released its College Sustainability Report Card, which grades 100 leading colleges by looking at campus greening practices and endowment policies.

The Cambridge-based research institute announced that the report's grade of "A-", the highest cumulative sustainability grade, was received by Harvard University, Stanford University, Dartmouth College, and Williams College. In addition, 26 schools received an average grade of "A-" or better upon assessing only campus operations. The College Sustainability Report Card takes into account 26 indicators, from green building initiatives to endowment investment policies, and uses an A to F letter grading system to evaluate performance. The study indicates that some leading schools are taking proactive steps on both campus and endowment sustainability initiatives. Other schools are shown to have a less consistent commitment. While the report assigns grades for each indicator, the final cumulative sustainability grade distribution is as follows: Four schools earned level "A" grades, 22 earned level "B" grades, 54 earned level "C" grades, and 20 earned level "D" grades."This is the first time that colleges have been assessed on both campus and endowment sustainability policies," said Mark Orlowski, executive director of the Sustainable Endowments Institute. “These schools have combined holdings of more than $258 billion--approximately 75 percent of all higher education endowment investments.” The report presents easily accessible information regarding sustainability practices at the 100 institutions with the largest endowments in the United States and Canada, including the Ivy League and Big 10, as well as other top public and private colleges. "When it comes to sustainability," Orlowski said, "the key questions about these institutions are: How do sustainability factors shape the way they use their resources? How can schools learn from each other and adapt sustainability policies that work?" “Linking campus sustainability efforts with endowment investment policies is important,” he added, “because it assures a unified sustainability vision for the institution.” The complete College Sustainability Report Card is available at http://www.endowmentinstitute.org. ### The Sustainable Endowments Institute is a special project fund of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 2005, the Institute is engaged in research and education on the sustainability of higher education endowments. For more information, visit www.endowmentinstitute.org

Download the Full Report (2MB PDF)Executive Summary (315K PDF)Download an Individual School Profile

Fonte: http://www.endowmentinstitute.org/sustainability/ , consultado 07\fev\07

Conceito - Aquecimento Global

O aquecimento global é um fenómeno climático de larga extensão -um aumento da temperatura média da superficie da Terra que vem acontecendo nos últimos 150 anos. Entretanto, o significado deste aumento de temperatura ainda é objecto de muitos debates entre os cientistas. Causas naturais ou antropogénicas (provocadas pelo homem) têm sido propostas para explicar o fenómeno.

O IPPC (Painel Intergovernamental para as Mudanças Climáticas, estabelecido pelas Nações Unidas e pela Organização Meteorológica Mundial em 1988) no seu relatório mais recente diz que a maioria do aquecimento observado durante os últimos 50 anos se deve muito provavelmente a um aumento do efeito de estufa, havendo evidência forte de que a maioria do aquecimento seja devido a atividades humanas (incluindo, para além do aumento de gases de estufa, outras alterações como, por exemplo, as devidas a um maior uso de águas subterrâneas e de solo para a agricultura industrial e a um maior consumo energético e poluição).

Origem: Wikipédia, a enciclopédia livre

consultar: http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquecimento_global

NOTICIA - Relatório da ONU culpa homem por aquecimento global

O relatório do Painel Intergovernamental de Mudanças Climáticas (IPCC, em inglês) da Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU) culpa a ação do homem pelo aquecimento global e prevê um cenário de catástrofe ambiental.
"Concentrações de dióxido de carbono (CO2), metano e óxido nitroso aumentaram notavelmente como resultado das atividades humanas desde 1750, e agora excedem, em muito, os valores (anteriores)", diz o relatório.
"Os aumentos globais na concentração de dióxido de carbono se devem, sobretudo, ao uso de combustíveis fósseis e mudanças no manejo da terra, enquanto o aumento de metano e óxido nitroso se deve primordialmente à agricultura."
As conclusões estão descritas no "Resumo para os Formuladores de Políticas", que integra a primeira parte do relatório "Mudanças Climáticas 2007".
O documento diz que, até o fim deste século, a temperatura da Terra pode subir de 1,8ºC – na melhor das hipóteses – até 4ºC.
O derretimento das camadas polares deve fazer com que os oceanos se elevem entre 18 cm e 58 cm até 2100, dizem os cientistas. Além disso, tufões e secas devem se tornar mais intensos.
Referência
Durante toda a semana, mais de 500 cientistas e representantes governamentais se reuniram a portas fechadas na sede da Unesco, em Paris, para concluir e aprovar o texto sobre as constatações científicas em relação ao aquecimento global.
As conclusões estavam sendo bastante esperadas porque servirão como referência para toda a comunidade científica mundial. O texto foi discutido linha por linha pelos participantes da reunião em Paris.
Os especialistas debateram, por exemplo, a terminologia para designar o grau de responsabilidade da ação humana no aquecimento global.
Alguns preferiam utilizar o termo "inequívoca", outros preferiam a expressão "além de qualquer dúvida razoável".
Ao final, os cientistas concluíram que há 90% de chance de o aquecimento global observado nos últimos 50 anos ter sido causado pela atividade humana.
É um aumento expressivo em relação ao último relatório, de 2001, que apontava uma probabilidade de 66%.
O co-presidente do IPCC, Achim Steiner, disse que o documento "acaba com as interrogações" em relação à ação do homem no aquecimento global.
Kyoto
O presidente do IPCC, Rajendra Pachauri, disse esperar "que este relatório deixe as pessoas chocadas e leve os governos a agirem com mais seriedade".
Este é o quarto relatório do Painel Intergovernamental de Mudanças Climáticas, criado em 1988 pela Organização Meteorológica Mundial e pelo Programa da ONU para o Meio Ambiente para avaliar as informações científicas e sócio-econômicas sobre o aquecimento global.
O relatório anterior, de 1995, serviu de base para a elaboração do Protocolo de Kyoto, que dois anos depois impôs aos países desenvolvidos uma meta de reduzir em 5,2% as emissões de gases de efeito estufa até 2012.
Prevê-se que o quarto relatório do IPCC sirva como referência para o "pós-Kyoto", ou seja, para o compromisso dos países após 2012, quando expira o atual protocolo.
O tema será um dos assuntos centrais da reunião da ONU em Bali, na Indonésia, em dezembro próximo.
O texto integral do quarto relatório "Mudanças Climáticas 2007" totalizará cerca de 900 páginas e será divulgado por partes até novembro deste ano.
Ainda serão divulgados estudos sobre o impacto das mudanças climáticas e sobre as formas de controle das emissões de gases de efeito estufa.
Fonte: http://www.bbc.co.uk/portuguese/reporterbbc/story/2007/02/070202_danielaclima2.shtml, consultado 06\fev\07

NOTICIA - Firms told to cut CO2 or leave FTSE4good

Terry MacalisterTuesday February 6, 2007The Guardian
Companies wanting to demonstrate corporate social responsibility by being a member of the FTSE4Good stock market index will be forced to show they are reducing their carbon emissions.
About a quarter of the energy-intensive users in the FTSE4Good are heading for removal unless they change their ways, according to the index's organisers.
Oil companies, airlines and mining firms will be told today they must deliver a 2.5% per annum reduction in carbon emissions and publish specific climate-change policies for which their boards must take direct responsibility under a first phase of the new initiative that will gradually be rolled out for all members.
US companies look under particular threat under the criteria to be announced at Canary Wharf in London today with a keynote speech from the environment secretary, David Miliband. "It used to be accepted that we cannot afford to be green. Now the opposite is true: we cannot afford not to be," he will argue.
Craig Morrison, head of business ethics at Glasgow Caledonian University and a FTSE4Good committee member, said last night that some companies were working very hard to reduce their carbon footprint but "incredibly" some were failing badly and letting their pollution levels rise.
"We will give companies time for change but after that they will be removed from the index if they do not show that they are making improvements," he said.
FTSE4Good already demands higher environmental standards but today the criteria will be raised to include CO2 emissions and climate change for the first time.
Mr Morrison accepts that a 2.5% decrease is not much to ask. "We could have made it 5% but quite honestly it would have decimated the index - removing 60% or 70% of the constituents."
Mr Miliband will also argue that environmentalists who push punitive measures on business "must not forget that without a stable and prosperous economy the public appetite for green measures will dwindle".

Special reportsClimate changeEnergyNuclear industryOil and petrolWhat can I do?Useful toolsCarbon offset calculatorUseful linksEnergy Saving Trust

fonte: http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2006603,00.html , consultado 06\fev\07

NOTICIA - How big is your footprint? - The government wants schools to teach young people about climate change. Here's how to start

Judith KneenTuesday February 6, 2007The Guardian

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, published last week, reinforces human responsibility in tackling global warming. Well-known companies such as Tesco, M&S and Wal-Mart, the owners of Asda, have announced measures to prove their green credentials. The education secretary, Alan Johnson, now wants to put energy saving and recycling into the curriculum. And every secondary school is to receive a copy of An Inconvenient Truth, the film made by former US vice-president Al Gore about global warming. What better time to unravel some of the jargon of carbon footprinting and what it means for companies and individuals alike.
Pumping out carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases is poisoning the atmosphere. Your carbon footprint indicates how much of it is down to you. It's a powerful message for the young: know the size and effect of your footprint.
The average British carbon footprint is just under 11,000kg of CO2 a year, but scientists warn this must be reduced to 2,500kg to stop global warming. Show students the Wikipedia table and map comparing emissions from different countries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions_per_capita).
The science behind CO2 in our life cycle is fascinating. Earth has developed a delicate juggling act whereby the amount of CO2 entering the atmosphere through respiration and decay is balanced by the CO2 absorbed by plants. The balance has been overturned through the burning of fossil fuels and the consequent release of CO2. The BBC weather pages provide an accessible explanation: www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/gases_carbondioxide.shtml. Illustrating the process would make a good introduction to the topic for students. Younger students can explore an animated explanation of the carbon cycle at www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/carbon_cycle_version2.html, while older students can investigate the cycle at www.purchon.com/ecology/carbon.htm.
Challenge students to calculate their own carbon footprint. An attractive calculator is provided by BP (www.bp.com/extendedsectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9008204&contentId=7015209&BPLinkTrace=1604280000). A little homework beforehand, such as establishing their household's type of heating, working out journeys travelled, and so on, will make the calculations more accurate. Provide each student with a footprint template on which to record their level of CO2. These could be displayed.
Their next challenge is to work out what steps will shrink this. Set them thinking about solutions by taking part in Tear Fund's climate change pentathlon (www.tearfund.org/Campaigning/Climate+change+and+disasters/pentathlon).
Even seemingly simple decisions like what to eat can have an impact on our footprint. Direct students to an article that works out the carbon footprint for burger consumption in the US, which could account for as much as 150,000 tonnes of carbon (www.openthefuture.com/2006/12/the_footprint_of_a_cheeseburge.html). Use this article to help students identify the factors influencing the footprint (such as production, selling and cattle methane production).
Carbon offsetting is a way of compensating for CO2 emissions by buying credits in offsetting projects, which prevent or reduce CO2 emissions elsewhere, such as through the planting of trees. Students can read an explanation of carbon offsetting at Defra (www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/carbonoffset). Examples of offsetting projects in the developing world can be found at Climate Care, through a range of short videos. Carbon capture and storage is seen by some as a future solution. Students can find out more at www.guardian.co.uk/life/thisweek/story/0,12977,1506967,00.html and see diagrams of what it might be like at www.co2capture.org.uk.
Many businesses are now taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint. The BBC has an interesting range of video reports focusing on the issue, including a report on M&S's pledge to become carbon neutral (http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6270000/newsid_6275700/6275717.stm?bw=nb&mp=wm).
Encourage students to look at their local CO2 picture. An Office for National Statistics report reveals that household emissions are rising (www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_environment/Impact_of_households_final_report.pdf).
Shrink your footprint
Finally, return to shrinking the students' individual carbon footprints. Direct Gov has ideas that focus on cutting down on energy use (www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/index.htm).
Get students to create a campaign focusing on one aspect that will benefit the school's footprint, such as using less paper, walking to school. Encourage students to create posters for their school and their local area (library, shops) on how to shrink a carbon footprint. The Carbon Trust has business ones that may provide inspiration: www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/startsaving/posterfacts.htm. Teachers and students will find a complete KS3 lesson on carbon footprints at the Guardian's online daily newsdesk for schools www.learnnewsdesk.co.uk
Curriculum links
Key stage 2
Citizenship & PHSE 2a, 2f-h; English (En1) 3a-f; (En2) 3a-g; (En3) 2a-f; Geography 2c-d, 3a-g, 5a-b; Science (Sc2) 5a
Key stage 3
Citizenship 1f-i, 2a-c, 3a-c; English (En1) 3a-e 4a; (En2) 1a-d 4a-d; (En3) 1e-k; Geography 2c-d, 3a-e, 5a-b; Science (Sc4) 5a-c
Key stage 4
Citizenship 1f-j, 2a-c, 3a-c; English (En1) 3a-e 4a; (En2) 1a-d, 4a-d; (En3) 1e-k; Science single (Sc4) 4b, double (Sc4) 5a-b
Scottish links
English (levels C-F); Environmental studies: social subjects (levels C-F); Environmental studies: science (levels C-F)

Fonte: http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,,2006238,00.html, consultado 06\fev\07)

Corporate Social Responsibility - What does it mean?

One of the most frequently asked questions at this site - and probably for all those individuals and organisations dealing with CSR issues is the obvious - just what does "Corporate Social Responsibility" mean anyway? Is it a stalking horse for an anti-corporate agenda? Something which, like original sin, you can never escape? Or what?
Different organisations have framed different definitions - although there is considerable common ground between them. My own definition is that CSR is about how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society.
Companies need to answer to two aspects of their operations. 1. The quality of their management - both in terms of people and processes (the inner circle). 2. The nature of, and quantity of their impact on society in the various areas.
Outside stakeholders are taking an increasing interest in the activity of the company. Most look to the outer circle - what the company has actually done, good or bad, in terms of its products and services, in terms of its impact on the environment and on local communities, or in how it treats and develops its workforce. Out of the various stakeholders, it is financial analysts who are predominantly focused - as well as past financial performance - on quality of management as an indicator of likely future performance.
Other definitions
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development in its publication "Making Good Business Sense" by Lord Holme and Richard Watts, used the following definition. "Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large"
The same report gave some evidence of the different perceptions of what this should mean from a number of different societies across the world. Definitions as different as "CSR is about capacity building for sustainable livelihoods. It respects cultural differences and finds the business opportunities in building the skills of employees, the community and the government" from Ghana, through to "CSR is about business giving back to society" from the Phillipines.
Traditionally in the United States, CSR has been defined much more in terms of a philanphropic model. Companies make profits, unhindered except by fulfilling their duty to pay taxes. Then they donate a certain share of the profits to charitable causes. It is seen as tainting the act for the company to receive any benefit from the giving.
The European model is much more focused on operating the core business in a socially responsible way, complemented by investment in communities for solid business case reasons. Personally, I believe this model is more sustainable because:
Social responsibility becomes an integral part of the wealth creation process - which if managed properly should enhance the competitiveness of business and maximise the value of wealth creation to society.
When times get hard, there is the incentive to practice CSR more and better - if it is a philanphropic exercise which is peripheral to the main business, it will always be the first thing to go when push comes to shove.
But as with any process based on the collective activities of communities of human beings (as companies are) there is no "one size fits all". In different countries, there will be different priorities, and values that will shape how business act.
A growing global role
One thing that is for sure - the pressure on business to play a role in social issues will continue to grow. Over the last ten years, those institutions which have grown in power and influence have been those which can operate effectively within a global sphere of operations. These are effectively the corporates and the NGOs. Those institutions which are predominantly tied to the nation state have been finding themselves increasingly frustrated at their lack of ability to shape and manage events. These include national governments, police, judiciary and others.
There is a growing interest, therefore, in businesses taking a lead in addressing those issues in which they have an interest where national government have failed to come up with a solution. The focus Unilever has on supporting a sustainable fisheries approach is one example. Using the power of their supply chain, such companies are placed to have a real influence. National governments negotiating with each other have come up with no solutions at all, and ever-depleting fish stocks. That is not to say businesses will necessarily provide the answers - but awareness is growing that they are occasionally better placed to do so than any other actors taking an interest.
References:
Business in the Community bases its whole approach on the "positive impact" strapline.You can download the "Making Good Business Sense" report at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development website.

fonte:( http://www.mallenbaker.net, consultado em 05\fev\07)

Responsabilidad social corporativa y las políticas públicas

Documento dirigido a analizar el papel de los poderes públicos en la promoción del enfoque empresarial de la responsabilidad social corporativa. Elaborado por la Fundación Ecología y Desarrollo, encargado y editado por la Fundación Alternativas. Presentado en marzo de 2003, es el primer informe de estas características en castellano.
En los últimos tiempos, el debate sobre la RSC se ha trasladado al ámbito de las políticas públicas, especialmente a la función que han de desempeñar los poderes públicos para la promoción de la filosofía RSC. Buena parte de los gobiernos de las economías avanzadas han adoptado políticas formales de difusión de la cultura corporativa de la RSC, entendiendo que puede favorecer las ventajas competitivas de las empresas en determinados mercados, encauzar sus actividades en países emergentes o en vías de desarrollo, o dar acceso a algunos segmentos del mercado de capitales.
El presente informe, además de reflejar el actual estado de la cuestión respecto de la filosofía RSC, da cuenta de las políticas públicas en países avanzados: fomento de los incentivos de mercado, medidas tendentes al fomento de la transparencia informativa, apoyo público a distintos estándares RSC. El documento tiene como objetivo último facilitar la reflexión, discusión y elaboración de propuestas de política pública para la promoción de la filosofía de la RSC en España.

Fecha :
20/03/2003
Tipo de archivo :
Archivo PDF
Idioma :
Castellano
Distribución :
Libre
Tamaño :
414K
ver documento

fonte :
(http://www.ecodes.org/pages/areas/rsc/documento.asp?ID=43&ID_CATEGORIA=45%20, consultado 05\fev\07)