Turning Grey to Green.

The black and white world of decision making can often turn to grey when it comes to sustainable business practises. Those who do not accept the overwhelming research from credible sources world-wide are holding back the necessary and important work to address the seriousness of the situation impacting their own business.

If the “sustainists” in your organization are being kept in the closet, the Greenomics team would be happy to provide you with tangible real world examples to unlock the door and let them out. We can help align the naysayers through our workshops, geared specifically for your industry. We can provide the black and white for those who see green as grey. Once those colour correcting processes have occurred – there are many more to follow. Decision-making moves from securing the lowest cost for goods that meet your business needs, to embracing fuller criteria that take into account planet, people and profit. Read the rest of this entry »

by Frank O’brien – Western Investor

Erich Schwartz, a former science teacher who now consults on the business of sustainability, has a lesson for real estate developers and others still sitting on the green fence. “It’s time to stop talking.” said Schwartz, who heads Vancouver based Greenomics. “it is time to take action.”

Schwartz, who has dutifully sat through the apparently endless seminars, workshops, study sessions and conferences that frame so much of the green movement, said the evidence is in, and the bottom-line benefits are too positive to ignore.

Those developers and contractors who are not building energy savings, recycling and sustainability into their projects, he said, are simply cheating the eventual owner and tenants. It will become increasingly expensive to own, live or work in a non-green building, he explained.

Schwartz was reacting to reports that, in the face of an economic downturn, some real estate developers seem ready to jettison green construction techniques in favour of lower costs. The study, Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2009 by PricewaterhouseCoopers notes that, “Portfolio problems, the construction stall-out and increasing angst could distract from the push to reduce buildings’ carbon footprints and install green technologuies.”

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This article reprinted with permission from Western Investor magazine. Visit www.westerninvestor.com to find an outlet near you.

Due to significant changes in Government regulations, there is a lot of emphasis placed on determining a business’ Carbon Footprint. Given Global Warming predictions, this makes perfect sense. However, it is only part of the Sustainability picture. A truly Sustainable Business also needs to account for resource use, pollution, human population growth, and societal changes. While all five issues are complex, we have developed tools and a methodology to grapple with them simultaneously. By conducting a Sustainability Opportunity Field Assessment (SOFA), you will be able to identify the major Sustainability Indicators impacting your business, stakeholder considerations, financial considerations, and next steps.

The time to start climbing Sustainability Mountain is now!

Our SOFAs adhere to Four Underlying Key Principles:

• Use renewable resources – to prevent the progressive build-up of garbage
• Use non-toxic and biodegradable materials – to prevent the build-up of toxins
• Enhance the Environment – to create a more viable business environment
• Promote positive human conditions – to enable people’s capacity to meet their needs

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Greenomics President, Erich Schwartz , is interviewed by Business in Vancouver (BIV), an award-winning weekly newspaper serving Greater Vancouver, Canada, since 1989. It targets business decision-makers and provides local business news and information.

Assessing the Assessors: Sustainability Consultants can help you learn the lay of the land as you try to save the planet – By Corey Van’t Haaff

Make no mistake: the field of sustainability is big business, but who exactly is throwing a hat into the ring? The line between green and greenwashing isn’t always obvious, and education might be the only clear answer. The question is, Who do you turn to in order to get that education?

The problem might be pretty simple to some: we are using too much energy and creating too many greenhouse gases (GHGs). But the means to deal with the problem aren’t always as easy. The low hanging fruit – the easy fixes – will help the environment a bit, but in the long term, you need to develop a strategy to accomplish greater goals.

You can do it for humanitarian reasons, to be socially responsible, and that may be enough for some, but not for everybody. From a business perspective, the debate also has to centre around a reduction in costs. Together, cost-savings, social responsibility and environmental protection are a three-pronged approach that will work.

“The issue is not about saving the planet. It’s about saving yourself and creating a sustainable world where people flourish,” according to Erich Schwartz, president of Greenomics, a consultancy company focused on the business of sustainability.

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“This article reprinted from Green Space magazine, delivered free with Business in Vancouver newspaper. Visit www.biv.com to subscribe.”

Vancouver, June 29 — Today at 11:00 AM Pacific Time, Vancouver’s most listened to Radio Station, CKNW AM980, will be discussing the Business of Sustainability. Greenomics President, Erich Schwartz, will discuss how businesses can mitigate risks and leverage significant opportunities by embracing more sustainable practices. New environmental government policies and regulations, and growing consumer awareness and demands will make change inevitable. Businesses that understand sustainability and proactively embrace it will have the competitive advantage. Tune in to CKNW at AM980 or visit CKNW Live online. Learn about the tools and methodologies Greenomics uses to help businesses gain a sustainable advantage. While listening, please add your comments and questions on the Greenomics blog.