A 2020 roadmap for corporate sustainability

“Plotting a company’s future is never a static process. Circumstances shift. Technologies change. Trends accelerate.

This is surely the case as global businesses grapple with sustainability pressures such as climate change, water risks and human rights challenges.

Just as the urgency and complexity of these threats are increasing, operating environments for businesses are also changing dramatically.

From the historic climate agreement forged by 195 countries in Paris to the international community’s endorsement of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, governments worldwide are unified on the urgency for realizing a low-carbon future and providing decent work and economic growth for all.

Today’s world is markedly different from 2010, when we launched our Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability, with 20 specific expectations for sustainable corporations in the 21st century….”

Venture turns Buffalo Zoo’s manure into rich, exotic compost

By T.J. Pignataro

“Call it what you want: animal waste, dung, droppings, manure or zoo poo.

Dave Majewski has two words for it: “organic surplus.”

Every afternoon, a dump truck from the Buffalo Zoo arrives at Majewski’s composter site in the Broadway-Bailey neighborhood and deposits about a half-ton of poop scooped from the bison pen, elephant exhibit, giraffe house and the watering holes or hangouts of other herbivorous zoo animals like antelopes, zebras and rhinos…..”

see the full article from the Buffalo News, May 2016

UB receives Environmental Champion Award from EPA

Dennis R. Black, vice president of university life and services, receives the EPA’s Environmental Champion Award with Judith Enck, EPA regional administrator, and Donovan Richards, a New York City Council member.

By Cory Nealon

“Through an integrated and collaborative approach, UB has become a leader in sustainability in higher education. We strive to evolve, build resilience and minimize our environmental footprint as we march toward achieving climate neutrality.”

-Dennis R. Black, vice president of university life and services

University at Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo’s commitment to solving pressing environmental issues, educating students about these challenges and operating eco-friendly campuses has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The agency recently presented UB two honors, including the only Environmental Champion Award given to an institute of higher learning in New York in 2015.

see full press release

Curbell Charity Recycling Event : Earth Day Earth Month Celebration April 25, 2105

As for other activities, this was part of a month long Earth Day/Earth Month celebration at Curbell that included daily “did you knows”, quizzes, contests and lunches. All of which were directed at engaging employees and increasing awareness of our sustainability programs already in place and pointing out employees, departments and branches that have gone above and beyond.

Finding the Face of Environmental Advocacy

BY: ALEX FISHER

What is the face of environmental advocacy in Western New York? With an aim to answer that question, I set forth to meet local citizens working to secure a more sustainable and just Buffalo. Their titles, expertise, and industries differ dramatically. Some have expertise in government relations, others focus on education and infrastructure. They identify original solutions to the essential question: green today, better bottom line tomorrow? While the demographics of eco-minded employees, activists, and entrepreneurs are ever-evolving, this cross-section of our community begins to capture the diversity of the green sector in Buffalo.

Ryan McPherson: Chief Sustainability Officer at SUNY Buffalo

James Mulka: Vice President, Senior Facilities Planning & Project Manager at First Niagara Bank

Deb Gondek: Director of Sustainability at Rich Products Corporation

Eric Lindstrom: Associate Vice President at Cannon Design

http://www.growwny.org/green-grab-bag/finding-face-environmental-advocacy/

5 top climate challenges for Capitol Hill — and how business can help

The politics of climate change are muddy, but businesses can play an important role in cleansing the conversation, according to former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin in his keynote address Tuesday at the 2015 Climate Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. It’s up to business and government to work together to come up with climate change solutions and build a more sustainable and resilient future. In this vein, forward-thinking leaders from business, government, academia and the non-profit community congregated at the nation’s capital this week to explore energy- and climate-related solutions, introduce new opportunities for collaboration and provide support to leaders taking action on climate change.

The conference aims to address climate change through policy, innovation and business solutions. Here are five key takeaways:

Read full article here:

February 18, 2015

Citi Announces $100 Billion, 10-Year Commitment to Finance Sustainable Growth

New York – Citi announced today a landmark commitment to lend, invest and facilitate a total of $100 billion within the next 10 years to finance activities that reduce the impacts of climate change and create environmental solutions that benefit people and communities. Citi’s previous $50 billion goal was announced in 2007 and was met three years early in 2013.

The full article can be read here.

Nov 10, 2014

Businesses work together to protect the environment

By CHRIS CAYA
Dozens of companies across the region have joined a new business-driven initiative to protect the environment. The Sustainable Business Roundtable was launched this past spring on Earth Day.

The Western New York Sustainable Business Roundtable (SBR) was recently featured in a Buffalo Business First article on April 10, 2014. The article explains that the SBR’s efforts have brought companies together, laid out models from other cities, conducted research and surveys, and focused on strategies to create an economically resilient Buffalo Niagara through the business community.

The article further states that after working with other area leaders, the WNY SBR is now branching out to companies that wish to create sustainability plans and build a consortium of area companies that share best practices for recycling, energy reduction and running greener businesses.