Academic and Research Institutions

The Center for Environmental Management at the Kentucky Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development seeks to improve the efficiency of environmental regulation and business practices in order to raise the potential for sustainable development in the United States and the world. The Center provides research and professional education services to provide the insight necessary for creating economically and socially responsible actions by managers and public sector officials.

The Consortium on Green Design and Manufacturing at UC Berkeley is an interdisciplinary research initiative and an industry/government/ university partnership to develop relationships between manufacturing and design and their environmental effects and to integrate engineering information, management practices and government policy-making. The Consortium is focused on the needs of industry in developing cleaner products and processes and the tools for management to facilitate these developments in an effective and cost-competitive manner.

The Green Design Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University is an interdisciplinary research effort to make an impact on environmental quality through green product design. The initiative involves the formation of partnerships with companies, government agencies, and foundations to develop pioneering design, management and manufacturing processes that can improve environmental quality and product quality while enhancing sustainable economic development.

The Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell promotes environmentally sound systems of production, healthy work environments, and productive work organizations. The Center brings together university faculty, professional staff, and students to work with business, labor, community groups, and public and private sector professionals to facilitate the transition to sustainable systems of production and work.

The Vanderbilt Center for Environmental Management Studies at Vanderbilt University explores and promotes the coordination of environmental responsibilities among among industry, government, and academia.

Nonprofit Organizations and Associations

Alliance for Environmental Innovation works cooperatively with companies to improve their environmental performance while yielding substantial business benefits. The Alliance works directly with partner companies to implement measureable actions that reduce waste, prevent pollution while enhancing business performance, and create models for other businesses to follow.

Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) is an alliance of businesses to help companies implement responsible business policies and practices. BSR provides information, education, technical assistance, and practical tools to member companies in support of good business decisions and responsible business policies.

Center for Environmental Leadership in Business engages the private sector in creating solutions to critical global environmental problems, by working in partnership with a wide range of companies and environmental organizations to promote business practices that reduce industry's environmental effects and contribute to conservation.

The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) offers Green-e certification for green power products, and has announced a new "Made With Renewable Energy" label for products from companies that buy a "significant" amount of certified renewable energy for their buildings and factories.

The Global Business Network specializes in assisting companies with scenario thinking and collaborative learning about the future. GBN's worldwide network brings together select individuals from the sciences, arts, business, and academia to explore driving forces and uncertainties affecting the total business environment.

The Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) is an organization of 21 companies striving to help businesses achieve environmental, health and safety excellence. GEMI is committed to the application of Total Quality Environmental Management (TQEM) principles in addressing sustainability issues.

The Global Futures Foundation focuses on programs for companies that reduce environmental impacts, energy consumption, and economic costs.

Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the environment by promoting the manufacture and sale of environmentally responsible consumer products. It sets environmental standards and awards a "Green Seal of Approval" to products that cause less harm to the environment than other similar products.

The Greening of Industry Network is an international association of researchers, business leaders, activists and policy makers dedicated to building a sustainable future. The Network comprises participants from 50 countries involved in coordinated research efforts, co-authored publications, planning and participating in workshops, public forums, and conferences.

The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center works to help firms reduce energy costs and minimize environmental waste. The Center provides assistance with ISO 14000, design for recycling, energy cost minimization and training, health and safety compliance management, technology selection and demonstration, and leadership training.

Network for Change is a collaboration between the EnviroLink Network, the Animal Concerns Community, the Sustainable Business Network and GreenMarketplace.com, who are working together to develop a comprehensive resource for individuals, organizations and businesses working for social and environmental change.

Rocky Mountain Institute's (RMI) Corporate Sustainability Program educates and inspires corporate management about profitable opportunities for greening both corporate practice and the bottom line. RMI provides strategic, technical, and cultural-change support businesses need to become more sustainable.

The Social Venture Network is an international organization of over 450 successful business and social entrepreneurs dedicated to changing the way the world does business and promoting progressive solutions to social problems. The objectives of the Social Venture Network include sustainability, social justice, cooperation, community, diversity, innovation, and education. Programs include national gatherings, mentoring, membership directory, mini-conferences, and bimonthly publications.

The Sustainable Business Institute founded by business leaders to support and promote the practice of sustainability in the business community and community at-large.

The World Business Academy is founded on the understanding that business is the dominant institution in society today and the one most capable of responding to rapid change. As such, business must adopt a new tradition of responsibility for the whole. It must do this by defining business interests within the wider perspective of society in order to create a positive and sustainable future.

Last updated: January 18, 2005

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