Strategy Tools, Guidelines & Frameworks

Lean and Environment Toolkit

This toolkit, produced by the U.S. EPA, offers practical techniques and strategies for leaner, cleaner manufacturing. The toolkit is written for "lean operational managers, environmental practitioners, and lean practitioners who work towards organizational efforts to identify and eliminate environmental wastes." Read more...

Map of Future Forces Affecting Sustainability

This online map forecasts the external factors that will impact business sustainability over the period the next ten years (through 2017). Discover the future forces that are likely to affect your business sustainability - environmental, health, and safety issues in particular. (Global Environmental Management Initiative) Download now (PDF)...

WBCSD's Measuring Impact Framework

This framework, created by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), aims to help companies measure and assess the impact of their business activities on economic and broader development goals wherever they operate. Includes section on the business case for measuring impacts, a four-step method for assessing impacts, and an Excel-based user guide. Read more...

The Risk Intelligent Approach to Corporate Sustainability

With business practices under increasing scrutiny by regulators, analysts, media, and stakeholders, corporate responsibility and sustainability (CR&S) is fast becoming a critical issue for companies. This whitepaper, the eleventh in Deloitte's Risk Intelligence series, offers insight into why a strategically driven CR&S program is vital to a company's survival and outlines a "risk intelligent" CR&S approach. Download now (PDF)...

Case Study: Intel's Continuous Environmental Innovation

Leading semiconductor manufacturer Intel displays trademark relentless and innovative spirit towards all of its green business initiatives - and the list keeps growing. (IndustryWeek) Read more...

Sustainable Performance Delivered

"Integrity + Innovation = Sustainable Performance." The "I + I" formula for corporate sustainability has been a key success factor for retail giant Marks & Spencer, telecommunications behemoth BT, and global banking leader HSBC. This report shows how leading businesses including GE, Dow, and Novo Nordisk are also delivering sustainable performance by focusing on integrity and innovation. (Arthur D. Little) Download now...

Leader Business 2.0: Hallmarks of Sustainable Performance

Today's leaders see sustainability as a positive opportunity. This report is full of best practices from big brands such as Nike and Vodafone to smaller ethical enterprises such as Innocent and Cafedirect; from major retailers and banks to specialist companies in the media, manufacturing, and travel sectors. (Forum for the Future) Download now (PDF)...

Innovations Review 2008

Introducing 20 innovations that showcase the new business as usual. This first-annual report from the Environmental Defense Fund highlights game-changing best practices that can influence nearly every functional area within a company, from real estate, operations, and manufacturing to fleet management, human resources, and finance. Case studies include green-product design at Nike, energy-efficiency upgrades at Johnson & Johnson, and fleet optimization at UPS. Download now (PDF)...

Conserve: Solutions for Sustainability

This website is dedicated to helping restaurateurs move toward more sustainable operations. Find tips and resources, as well as case studies from several restaurants that have successfully implemented greener practices. Initially focused on energy, water and construction, the site will grow over time to include other aspects of sustainability, including recycling, packaging, cleaning supplies, and food and beverages. (National Restaurant Association) Visit now...

NRDC Greening Advisor

The National Resources Defense Council has packed this online guide with tips and advice to help companies green their operations and cut costs, including articles on how to produce less waste, consume less paper and energy, and use resources more efficiently. (NRDC) Visit now...

Green Guide for Small Business

The U.S. government maintains this website to help small business owners green their operations. Includes articles on starting a green business, complying with environmental regulations, and getting loans and incentives for energy efficiency programs, among other topics. (Business.gov) Visit now...

The Social Intrapreneurs: A Field Guide for Corporate Changemakers

This report identifies a new breed of corporate leader - "social intrapreneurs" who are determined to channel their business strengths and market skills to tackle global sustainability challenges. Includes profiles prominent social intrapreneurs from multinational corporations including Unilever, Nike, BP, Cemex, Coca-Cola, Dow, and Shell, among others. (SustainAbility) Download now (PDF)...

HP Guide to Greener Printing

Inefficient paper, ink, and energy consumption is not just bad for the planet, it’s bad for business, too. This guide is designed to give some ideas to help improve the efficiency of your printing, save money and reduce the environmental impact of your business. (Hewlett-Packard) Download now (PDF)...

Case Study: Energy-Efficient Lighting at Ryerson

Ryerson Inc., a North American distributor and processor of metals, implemented a series of lighting upgrades at its plant in Milwaukee, Wis., reduce operating costs by more than $20,000 annually. (Reliable Plant) Read more...

Case Study: Coca-Cola's Global Water Stewardship Program

This case study reviews the drivers for Coca-Cola's commitment to water resources management, examines the complexities of integrating water initiatives throughout global systems, and outlines implications and key lessons to guide other companies that wish to gauge their water footprints and evaluate potential risks. Scroll to the end for a list of seven action items for greening your own company's water policy. (Business for Social Responsibility) Download now (PDF)...

UNEP Year Book 2008: Breaking Down the Barriers to a Green Economy

The emerging green economy is driving invention, innovation, and the imagination of engineers "on a scale perhaps not witnessed since the industrial revolution of more than two centuries ago," according to this sweeping report from the United Nations Environment Program. Now in its fifth year, the report distills the latest research on environmental markets into a clear, concise, format. Download now (PDF)...

Hotel Best Practices Guide

Flex Your Power offers hotels simple energy-saving tips that can cut costs while increasing aesthetics and comfort. Tips come from all aspects of hotel operations, covering lighting, water, HVAC, windows, roofs, restaurants, laundry, vending and ice machines, office equipment, exercise rooms, pools, saunas, hot tubs, and demand response programs. Read more...

7 Secret Benefits of Energy Efficiency

The business value of energy efficiency reaches far beyond reduced utility costs. This white paper counts seven benefits you can't afford to overlook. By Eric A. Woodruff, Wayne C. Turner, and Steven D. Heinz. Download now (Word)...

Also: Check out this Excel-based emissions calculator, which converts energy savings into equivalent environmental benefits (car miles not driven, barrels of oil not consumed, etc.).

Going Green: How Environmentally Conscious Practices and Products Present a Profitable Future Today

In this white paper, learn the five steps of a green timeline; key projects/activities in each stage of a green rollout;and the top technologies and applications to implement a green strategy and achieve ROI. Includes real-world examples of companies big and small that are seeing the returns in green and how they're doing it. (IndustryWeek) Download now...

10 Simple Ways to Boost Office Recycling

In honor of National Recycling Day, Office Depot has compiled this top-ten list of ways to recycle at the office.

WBCSD Global Water Tool

This free and easy to use tool helps companies and map their water use and assess risks relative to their global operations and supply chains. Just enter your water use figures and the tool automatically provides outputs, including GRI water indicators and downloadable metrics charts that demonstrate the company's data combined with both the country and watershed figures. The online mapping feature, connected to Google Earth, enables companies to plot their sites with external water datasets and download those locations in a map. Download now...

Healthy Business Strategies for Transforming the Toxic Chemical Economy

Packed with case studies, this report shows how leading companies have embraced the use of comprehensive, environmentally friendly strategies for eliminating toxic chemicals and materials in their products and building materials. The report highlights a cross-section of products including famous Herman Miller ergonomic office chairs, H&Ms affordable fashion-forward clothing, and the non-toxic carpet specially commissioned by Kaiser Permanente for its hospitals. Other companies featured include Avalon Natural Products, Dell, and Interface. Download now...

WBCSD Eco-Efficiency Module

"Eco-efficiency" is a management philosophy that encourages business to search for environmental improvements that yield parallel economic benefits. Through learning materials and hand-on exercises, this guide from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development will engage you on eco-efficiency issues all levels within your organization. Download now...