0308.pdf

GREENING

U.S.

CORPORATIONS

U . S . D E P A R T M E N T O F S T A T E / B U R E A U O F I N T E R N A T I O N A L I N F O R M A T I O N P R O G R A M S

THE

Volume 13, Number 3

The Bureau of International Information Programs of the

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About This Issue

delves into what those

familiar with the history

of the environmental movement

in the United States might see as a

surprising trend — the way U.S.

corporations in recent years have

embraced environmentally friendly

ways of doing business. What

prompts a corporation to “go green”?

“We looked across our company

and recognized that a focus on

environmental technology could

be a big business initiative for the

company,” said Jeffrey Immelt, the

chief executive of General Electric, a

leader in this ield. “The concept we

worked on at the time was this notion that green is green.” So the environment has become a business

opportunity, a chance to increase proits, the core of any business enterprise.

But the story of converting corporations to green policies is more complex than that.

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), consumers, investors, new technologies, and government

policy have all played a role. NGOs and businesses are inding ways to work together to protect

the environment, particularly though developing standards and green certiication programs. Some

corporations are responding to the desires of consumers to buy products with less impact on the

environment — in their creation, packaging, marketing, use, and disposal. Many investors, too, are

choosing to put their money into green businesses — sometimes for idealistic reasons; sometimes because

they see that sustainable practices are actually more proitable in the long term. Recent developments

in technology have made it easier to protect the environment, and many businesses have learned that a

sustainable supply chain is a valuable asset. Government policies have certainly played a role, but that is

not the primary focus of this journal.

Jeffrey Immelt explains the movement best when he elaborates on his company’s thinking: “This is

no longer a fringe topic. It’s no longer a niche topic. This is now a mainstream topic that is being driven

across the broad economy. Second, the technology and the service solutions are real. Some may take time

to put into place, like coal gasiication, sequestration, or hybrid technologies, but they are technologies

that can be commercialized over the next 5 or 10 years. Finally, this interest has accelerated — sometimes

driven by public policy — things like renewable performance standards. But a lot is driven by businesses

that inally said, ‘Let’s get ahead of this theme. Let’s get ahead of the trend. Let’s invest before we have to

because we see it coming.’ ”

T his issue of eJournal USA

An example of the greening of U.S. corporations, Sea Gate Plaza is designed to be the irst

green commercial building in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

— The Editors

eJ o u r n a l uSa 1

U.S. DEpArTmEnT of STATE / mArch 2008 / VolUmE 13 / nUmbEr 3

http://www.america.gov/publications/ejournals.html

The Greening of U.S. Corporations

U.S. Companies Embrace

Green Technology

P a u l N a s t u , P u b l i s h e r a N d M a N a g i N g e d i t o r

o f E n v i r o n m E n t a l l E a d E r

There is new impetus for U.S. companies to make

energy-efficient choices.

Consumers Demand Green

t r a c i P u r d u M , e d i t o r - i N -c h i e f o f HvaCr

B u S i n E S S

In a free market, it is the end customer that makes

or breaks a new product. Increasingly, many of

these consumers are seeking to reduce their impact

on the environment.

Corporate Executives on Going Green

Some corporate executives talk about various

aspects of their businesses’ going green.

Photo Gallery: Green Buildings

Business, Investors, and the

Environment

M a t t h e W P a t s k y , P a r t N e r , a N d e l i z a b e t h

l e V y , s e N i o r e N V i r o N M e N t a l a N a l y s t , W i N s l o W

M a N a g e M e N t c o M P a N y

Green investing, or investing with the environment

in mind, is an evolving practice with a rich history.

The Rise of Corporate Stakeholders

V a s a N t h a k u M a r b h a t , a s s o c i a t e P r o f e s s o r a t

t h e l u b i N s c h o o l o f b u s i N e s s , P a c e u N i V e r s i t y

In recent years, U.S. corporations have greatly

reduced environmental emissions and are

developing pollution prevention strategies.

NGOs and Business — Shared Goals,

Mutual Trust

b r a d k e N N e y , t e c h N o l o g y /e N V i r o N M e N t a l

e d i t o r W i t h i n d u S t r y W E E k M a g a z i N e

Although their friendship may be relatively new,

nongovernmental organizations and the business

community are working together these days to forge

partnerships that last.

2 9

Sustainability Within the

Supply Chain

P a t r i c k P e N f i e l d , a s s i s t a N t P r o f e s s o r o f

s u P P l y c h a i N P r a c t i c e a t t h e W h i t M a N

s c h o o l o f M a N a g e M e N t , s y r a c u s e u N i V e r s i t y

The focus of most companies today is developing a

supply chain that is robust enough to support itself

and actually improve the environment.

eJ o u r n a l uSa 2

Point/Counterpoint: The Role of the

Government

Two contrasting views on what government should

do to reduce greenhouse gases.

Government Leadership in the Quest for

Sustainability

b o b W i l l a r d , s u s t a i N a b l e e N t e r P r i s e

a c a d e M y , t o r o N t o , c a N a d a

Greening Business Investment: How About a

Carrot?

M a r g o t h o r N i N g , s e N i o r V i c e P r e s i d e N t a N d

c h i e f e c o N o M i s t , a M e r i c a N c o u N c i l f o r

c a P i t a l f o r M a t i o N , W a s h i N g t o N , d.c.

Bibliography

Internet Resources

eJ o u r n a l uSa 3

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