1. Improve Efficiency
Buildings today represent 40% of the world’s energy demand, a third of that resulting from commercial buildings. In a majority of cases, improving energy efficiency can lead to tax deductions and hefty savings on your bills.

The ENERGY STAR Challenge is a national call-to-action to improve the energy efficiency of America’s commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more.

The High Performance Buildings initiative is a government research program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy that improves the energy efficiency of commercial buildings in the United States.

2. Upgrade Power
Renewable energy maintains a more stable price point than fossil fuels, greatly reduces the impact on our fragile ecosystem and diminishes the need for costly emissions controls.

Use Renewable Energy

Your organization can lessen its environmental impact through a green power purchase. Renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro generate green power. A green power resource produces electricity with zero anthropogenic (caused by humans) emissions, has a superior environmental profile to conventional power generation, and was built after the beginning of the voluntary market. Join the Green Power Partnership today.

Businesses use renewable energy to power their headquarters, factories, retail locations, and more. Green-e certified renewable energy is available in three ways: from your utility company, through the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs), or through direct purchasing from a renewable energy supplier.

3. Score High
Getting rated by a trusted source can help your company assess how to greatly improve standards of operation while sharing with the public your commitment to environmental excellence.

Help build a new sector of the economy that harnesses the power of private enterprise to create public benefit. Become a B Corporation™ by following these simple steps below. These corporations are exercising leadership and influencing the marketplace beyond their company, region and industry by speaking with one collective voice. B Corporations™ are redefining what it means to be successful.

4. Conserve Water
The United States uses enough fresh water to fill a line of Olympic-size swimming pools reaching around the world every day (339 billion gallons). Discover how your business can reduce its water consumption today.

On 15 August 2007, the World Business Council on Sustainable Development launched the Global Water Tool at the World Water Week in Stockholm. It’s a free and easy-to-use tool for companies and organizations to map their water use and assess risks relative to their global operations and supply chains.

5. Rethink Waste
Waste reduction in addition to dedicated reuse and recycling can save your business all kinds of resources.

Businesses can incorporate many integrated waste management techniques into their daily business practices in an effort to help the environment and improve their bottom line. Even if your business already has a waste reduction program there are always a few more steps your business can take to improve and protect the environment and your community.

Earth 911

6. Shop Around
Purchase office needs from eco-aware suppliers. From computers and copiers to pens and paper clips, keeping your supply chain green can literally have a ripple effect around the globe.

Electronics

EPEAT is a system to help purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes

Office Equipment — from computers and monitors to imaging equipment, such as printers and copiers — that has earned the ENERGY STAR helps eliminate wasted energy through special energy-efficient designs. They use less energy to perform regular tasks, and when not in use, automatically enter a low-power mode.

Office Supplies

Green Line

The Green Office

Green Earth Office Supply

7. Build Green
Your business can use green building principles when retrofitting facilities or doing new construction. Using sustainable, non-toxic materials for construction means healthier employees and cost effectiveness, not to mention, a great impression on your customers.

Get Your Facility LEED Certified

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

You Tube

Find Information, Contractors and Supplies for Renovations

Global Building Resource Center

Green Building Blocks

Green Depot

Green Building Supply

8. Reduce Emissions
The International Energy Agency predicts that if policies remain unchanged, carbon emissions will increase 52% by 2030. Help secure a thriving future for all by making your business a part of the solution today.

The GHG Protocol provides the accounting framework for nearly every GHG standard and program in the world - from the International Standards Organization to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme to the California Climate Registry - as well as hundreds of GHG inventories prepared by individual companies.

Businesses are having a huge impact on climate-changing emissions. Many are contributing to the problem. But others are thinking strategically about climate change by realizing that there is a business advantage to companies that are able to reduce energy use, lowering cost for storage and transport of waste, and reducing or eliminating regulatory compliance risk.

Carbon Concierge

9. Learn More
There are many sources for information that can help you reduce Total Environmental Impact (TEI) of your business

The Ceres Principles are a ten-point code of corporate environmental conduct to be publicly endorsed by companies as an environmental mission statement or ethic. Endorsing Ceres companies have access to the diverse array of experts in our network, from investors to policy analysts, energy experts, scientists, and others.

Join the first in a series of webinars to explore how WBCSD member companies are engaging their employees on sustainable development and what tools and examples are available. Companies must continually enhance their workforces' skills to respond to the sustainable development agenda and the emerging demands of customers, investors and society. The challenge for companies is to clarify the competencies required to deliver the company's strategy, as well as to cope with changing competitive circumstances.

10. Join Forces
Align your business with other companies that answer to the Triple Bottom Line of People, Planet and Profit.

1% For The Planet is an alliance of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier planet. Members recognize their responsibility to and dependence on a healthy environment and donate at least 1% of their annual sales to environmental organizations worldwide.

Joining the 1% For The Planet business alliance can be good for your business because it increases visibility in a crowded marketplace. The 1% For The Planet logo lets your customers know of your company's commitment to ensure a healthy planet now and for the future. It identifies your business as one that recognizes the importance of good environmental stewardship.

Co-op America's Green Business Program provides the networks, resources, and technical assistance needed for socially and environmentally responsible businesses to emerge and thrive in communities across the US.

Living economy businesses are primarily independent and locally owned, and value the needs and interests of all stakeholders while building long-term profitability. The mission of BALLE is to catalyze, strengthen, and connect local business networks dedicated to building strong Local Living Economies.

SVN promotes new models and leadership for socially and environmentally sustainable business in the 21st century. We champion this effort through initiatives, information services and forums that strengthen our community and empower our members to work together on behalf of their shared vision.