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July 15, 2008 What's Hot in Climate Today SLM Home | Climate News & Ideas | Connections | Events | About

Just Say No to the "Green Premium" Over the past year we have seen numerous surveys demonstrating consumers' preference for green products. Apparently, this has encouraged some small businesses to charge extra to support the purchase of renewable energy credits. I sincerely hope this type of behavior won't be tolerated for long. We have seen green building design move from a premium service to the mainstream, ultimately becoming part of building code in some cities. We will likewise see a similar mainstreaming effect in other markets, as green products and services become more routine. By charging a green premium, companies are actually working against this trend, separating responsible behavior from what should be simply a part of day-to-day business operations. As a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), my company has made a commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. We never would expect our clients to pay an extra charge for our services because of our participation in CCX, and I am unaware of any CCX member or associate member that passes along the cost to reduce their carbon footprint. ~Will Sarni, SLM Advisor What do you think? Post Your Comment Here! Also This Week... World's Largest Steelmaker Launches Cleantech, Carbon Funds Metals and mining giant ArcelorMittal is backing a pair of new venture capital funds aimed at promoting clean energy technologies and "climate-friendly solutions relevant to the steel industry." Read more... GM Plant Installs World's Largest Rooftop Solar Array General Motors is planning to install two million square feet of solar panels atop its car assembly plant in Figueruelas, Spain - the world's largest single solar array, the automaker says. Read more... Rolls-Royce Opts for Smart-Packing Suppliers Rolls-Royce is extending the reach of its new green manufacturing facility in Goodwood, U.K., selecting parts suppliers based on their ability to deliver the most product for the fewest miles driven, International Herald Tribune reports. Read more... Small Businesses Ask Customers to Foot Renewable Energy Bill A San Francisco engineering firm is charging clients an extra 0.05% to support its purchase of renewable energy credits - one of a number of small businesses that are looking to customers for help in financing their low-carbon efforts, the Wall Street Journal reports. Read more... U.K.'s Largest Labor Union Demands Data on Companies' Eco-Performance Unite, the British labor union representing workers in the electronics and IT sectors, says it should have the right to access environmental performance data for the companies served by its members. Read more... California to Require Carbon Label for New Cars Starting January 1, 2009, California will expand its Smog Index Label for new cars to include data on greenhouse gas emissions. Read more... Times Square Gets First Green-Powered Electronic Billboard Office equipment giant Ricoh is the proud sponsor of the first 100% green-powered electronic billboard ever to light up New York's Times Square. Read more... More Climate Management News & Tools... We want to hear from you! Post your comments or questions below any SLM news story and we'll feature the best of them here. (Note: You must be a registered SLM user to post. Not yet signed up? Click here!) Forward to a Friend! Six Tried-and-True Strategies for Inspiring Environmental Change Many workers view sustainable practices as one more thing to add to an already overburdened workload – proof positive that their managers aren't communicating on this issue as effectively as they could. John Marshall Roberts, director of communication at Evenson Design Group, takes a practical look at the art of inspired leadership. Read more... Solution Providers Plug-In 2008 Register today for Plug-In 2008, a three-day international conference that will showcase the latest technological advances, market research, and policy initiatives shaping the future of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Event runs July 22-24 in San Jose, California. Click here for more information. Advertise on SLM! Become a Sustainable Life Media advertiser or sponsor and reach thousands of business leaders looking for product or service solutions to help them build their sustainability story. Click here to learn more.

Sustainable Life Media is home for business professionals looking to build new value and competitive advantage by innovating more sustainable processes, practices and products. We bring you top stories related to the what, who and how of environmental and social innovation, and help you connect with thought leaders, peers, partners and solutions providers that can help you quickly reach your goals. This work is licensed under a CreativeCommons License. Copyright Sustainable Life Media Inc. 2008

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