Reviewed by the Internet Centre for Cleaner Production

The International Institute for Sustainable Development IISDnet (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/)

Business and Sustainable Development (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/)
 

Build Competitive Advantage(http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/createvalue.htm)

Go to this link (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/bcamap.htm) first to get a visual map of the tools and strategies in building a competitive advantage. Then, follow the links below to get to the topics that interests you. Alternatively, the visual map is actually an image map and all the sections are accessible by clicking on them.

Three 'toolbox' in building a competitive advantage are as follows:

  1. Strategic Planning
  2. Implementation
  3. Corporate Reporting


1. Strategic Planning (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/stratplan.htm)
 

This toolbox contains two sets of concepts: Cross industry initiatives such as Eco-efficiency provide guidelines for business interaction with the environment and society.
Global Standards for Environmental Management Systems - EMS such as ISO 14000 or EMAS enable business to develop management systems to achieve sustainable development goals. Each concept contains a checklist and an example. Cross industry initiatives
  GEMI or TQEM (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/gemiorg.htm)
The Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) comprises of 21 companies committed to helping businesses achieve environmental, health and safety excellence with economic success. GEMI is the founder of Total Quality Environmental Management (TQEM). This page contains links to the concepts of TQEM and more information on GEMI.

CERES (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/ceresorg.htm)
The Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies (CERES) is a non-profit organisation in the U.S.A. Through the partnership of investors and environmental, religious andpublic interest groups, this coalition promotes investment policies that are environmentally, socially and financially sound.
This page contains links to the ten principles or concepts of CERES.

Eco-Efficiency (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/ecoefforg.htm)
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) (previously BCSD) consists of 122 international companies with shared commitment to the environment. Eco-Efficiency was introduced by BCSD in 1992 as a way of achieving economically valuable goods and services with the reduction of environmental impacts. A very good starting point for information on Eco-Efficiency.

The Natural Step (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/naturalorg.htm)
Developed by Dr. Karl-Henrik Robert; a Swedish oncologist, 'The Natural Step' is a practical and systematic approach to achieving sustainable human existence. Systems thinking is widely used for this approach. More information and concepts are provided with links.

IISD, WBCSD and D&T (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/iisdorg.htm)
Business Strategy for Sustainable Development: Leadership and Accountability for the '90s.
          The concept link (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/iisdconcept.htm) provides very good information on the relation between Sustainable Development and Business. A systemic approach is given and well worth looking into. It explores the implication, practical considerations and leadership requirements for successful implementation of Sustainable Development. Steps for implementation are also given with feedback from positive signs of change.

ICC (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/iccorg.htm)
In response to the World Commission on Environment and Development report, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) developed a Business Charter for Sustainable Development. This charter consists of 16 principles and can be viewed by linking the concepts page.
 
 

 Global Standards for Environmental Management Systems - EMS
  ISO 14000 (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/isoorg.htm)
The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is one of the major international standards development bodies. The ISO 14000 series covers the management systems for environmental management and auditing. The concepts link gives a very good introductory to ISO 14000 with a brief outline of the series. Also included is a must see IISD publication, Global Green Standards ISO 14000 and Sustainable Development (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/xfiles/xisoconcept2.htm) in Adobe Acrobat file.

The EU Council (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/emasorg.htm)
The European Union Council of Ministers is one of the most prominent institutions in the EU. The ministers meet in the council to adopt proposed European directives and regulations. One such directive is the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) adopted in the Fifth Environmental Action Program to encourage the private-sector to improve its environmental performance. A brief summary of EMAS can be view at http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/emasconcept.htm.

British Standard Institute (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/bsorg.htm)
The BSI for Environment Management System is the BS 7750. Summary of the status of this standard is given in concepts link http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/bsconcept.htm.

Canadian Standards Association (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/csaorg.htm)
The CSA developed the Environment Program (covering EMS and auditing systems)

Comparison of ISO 14000, EMAS, and BS7750 (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/comparison.htm)
A good site to review the differences and similarities of the standards. This page also provides good links on other related links.
 
 

 2. Implementation Toolbox (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/trancon.htm)
  Cleaner Production (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/cleanerprod.htm)
Provides the following information on Cleaner Production: Cleaner Production Definitions
Implementation
Cleaner Production & the bottom line
Links and resources Follow the links and resources to view other sites on Cleaner Production. Pollution Prevention (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/polprevent.htm)
Related to Cleaner Production, Pollution Prevention or P2 originates from a U.S. company, 3M. Like Cleaner Production, it deals with source reduction or pollution prevention. The following topics are given: P2 definition
P2 Implementation
P2 & the Bottom Line
Links and Resources More information can be found by following the external links. Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing (ECM) (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/enviromanufacturing.htm)
As the name suggests, its about manufacturing with minimised environmental effects. It looks at the entire life cycle of the product. To view more information, use the Example link (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/ecm.htm) and follow The ECM Project.

Reduction, Reuse, Recycling & Recovery (4Rs) (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/4rs.htm)
The next step after the 3Rs (Reduction, Reuse, Recycling); the 4Rs includes the recovery aspect into the equation thus eliminating waste disposal or treatment problems. A well worth concept to embrace. This page contains the following topics:

About the 4Rs
Waste Management Hierarchy
Economic Incentives
Resources Follow the links provided in the Resources to obtain more information on the 4Rs. Zero Emission Processes (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/zero.htm)
" The concept of zero emissions is based on improving technologies and practices to maximise resource productivity, thus virtually eliminating waste. " Through innovative ideas and concepts like Cleaner Production, the 4Rs and industrial ecology; Zero Emission seems achievable. Topics on the subject are as follows: Implementation Zero Emission Processes
ZERI Methodology
Resources Follow the links given in the Resources to view more information. Energy Efficiency (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/energyeff.htm)
Being energy efficient will not only reduce costs but can also improve productivity and environmental performance. Topics covered here are: Improving Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency & the Bottom Line
Trends in Canada
Resources The resources links lead to further information on Energy Efficiency. Industrial Ecology (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/industrialecology.htm)
Industrial Ecology is a holistic view of industry systems behaving like natural ecological systems. It means that industries are not isolated entities and the cause of its outcome is dependent on other systems.
        Practical applications include eco-parks, industrial symbiosis or industrial clustering. Topics on this page include: Industrial Ecology - A Holistic View
Industrial Symbiosis or Clustering
Resources The 'resources' include a link to the Journal of Industrial Ecology. Life Cycle Assessment (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/lifecycle.htm)
Life Cycle Assessment is a tool used to identify and quantify the direct and indirect environmental, energy and resource impacts of a product, process or service. For a product it takes into account the total life cycle of the product; from design, manufacture right through its disposal. Topics included here are: What is it?
How it Works Design for Environment (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/designenvironment.htm)
Design for Environment is a general term for describing techniques used for the incorporation of the environment component into the product or service equation. Topics included are: Design for Environment
Design for Environment Techniques
Design for Environment: Improvement Techniques
Broader Perspective - Sustainable Production and Consumption Renewable Energy Sources (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/renewable.htm)
This page provides an overview of the available renewable energy sources (wind, waves, solar, photovoltaic, biomass and geothermal). Topics included are:
Introduction Soft Energy Path
Solar-Thermal Electric Generation
Active & Passive Solar Systems
Wind Energy
Ocean Energy Systems
Photovoltaic Technologies
Geothermal Energy
Biomass Energy
Hydrogen Fuel / Fuel Cells
Other Renewable Energy Sources By-Product Synergy (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/synergy.htm)
Looks at value adding the by-products from industry. An industry's waste can be the primary material for another industry's product/process. Waste can thus be exchanged, sold between industries creating a By-Product Synergy.

Performance Contracting (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/perfcon.htm)
"Performance Contracting is a type of savings financing." Future savings derived from technology can be used to pay for the installation and credit interest for the technology without any new capital injection. "Performance contracting can be defined as implementing and financing turn-key energy saving, water saving and other clean technologies through the use of a third party contractor which is paid out of savings achieved."

Environment, Health & Safety (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/ehstechnique.htm)
This page can be summarised as the inclusion of the environment aspect into the traditional occupational health and safety program or practice.

Total Cost Assessment (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/tca.htm)
Total Cost Assessment (TCA) is a useful tool that goes beyond traditional cost accounting by analysing the direct, indirect, contingent and less-quantifiable costs and savings over a longer term. This page gives the following topics:

Four-Stage Approach to Total Cost Assessment
Relationship between TCA and other forms of Accounting Value Driven Approaches (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/valuedriven.htm)
Value Driven Approaches used in TQM programs are successfully used for the implementation of environmentally and socially responsible solutions. Examples given are: Hoshin Kanri
Kaizen
Multidisciplinary Design Optimisation
Poka-Yoke  
3. Corporate Reporting Toolbox (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/corpreport.htm)
  This page is divided into 3 areas; namely Coming Clean, Financial Annual Report Awards and Corporate Reporting in Practice. Coming Clean
This site is taken from the book Coming Clean - Corporate Environmental Reporting. Subject headings for this topic include:
  Key Findings (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/keyfindings.htm)
Contains the summary of the research. A must read for environmental reporting.

Do's and Don’ts of Corporate Reporting (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/dosndonts.htm)
Concise advice on what to do or don't do in corporate reporting.

Key Lessons (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/keylessons.htm)
Contains 23 parts or sub-headings of the key lessons in environmental reporting.

Internet Resources (http://iisd1.iisd.ca/business/corpinpractice.htm#resources)
Contains the Corporate Reporting Resources on the Internet.
 



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