GreenBiz.com Green Business News

Planes, Trains, Hybrid Automobiles Keep UPS Trucking Toward Efficiency

ClimateBiz Staff — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:08:00 -0700

In its 2008 corporate sustainability report, UPS sets a hard target for emissions reductions in what it says is the world's ninth-largest airline, and lays out how a steady focus on efficiency is trimming the company's footprint.

Growing the Future of Bamboo Products

Jonathan Bardelline — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:10:00 -0700

Bamboo has spread into the world of consumer products as fast as it grows in the wild, but the higher demand opens the door for overharvesting, price fluctuations and quality issues. BooShoot Gardens is on a mission to ensure the world's supply of bamboo stays sustainable by cloning bamboo plants and even trying to get bamboo growing again in the U.S.

Naked Juice, Earthbound Farms Switch to Recycled Packaging

GreenerDesign Staff — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:44:00 -0700

Naked Juice and Earthbound Farm have each debuted packaging made with 100 percent post-consumer recycled content, some of the first instances of 100 percent recycled packaging for food and drink products.

Why Biofuels Burned Up (Your) Dollars

Marc Gunther — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:19:00 -0700

Farm state politicians, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists have sold biofuels to rest of us as a way to revive rural America, attack the problem of global warming and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. In response, investors and taxpayers have poured many millions of dollars into corn ethanol. But returns have been skimpy, says a new report.

New S.F. Food Policy Boosts Local Farms

Tilde Herrera — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:09:00 -0700

San Francisco has adopted what may be the country’s first county food policy that aims to improve access to healthy food while supporting local agriculture and reducing shipping-related greenhouse gas emissions.

CSR Reports: Absolutely Radical or Relatively Transparent?

Melissa Schweisguth — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Joel Makower's commentary on "radical transparency" and Marc Gunther's post on Wal-Mart's growing greenhouse gas emissions lead to a common question: How should corporations frame sustainability goals and achievements in reporting and communications?

Alaska Airlines Begins 'Greener Skies' Testing

ClimateBiz Staff — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:25:00 -0700

With the help of guidance technology, Alaska and Horizon Airlines are using pinpoint landing technology to save fuel, cut emissions, and reduce noise for communities around airports.

DOD Enlists GE for $2M Project to Make Military Base a Smart Microgrid Model

Leslie Guevarra — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:14:00 -0700

General Electric, the world's largest industrial company, will work with the Department of Defense in a $2 million project to transform the Twentynine Palms facility, the world's largest Marine Corps base, into a model smart microgrid system.

Second BSR Report Lays Out Impacts, Goals for a 'Reset' World

GreenBiz Staff — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:20:00 -0700

Facing an unprecedented global economic downturn, environmental issues of similar scale and a loss of trust, Business for Social Responsibility lays out its progress and goals for the future in its second annual report.

How the U.S. is Forging a National Ecosystem Marketplace

Alice Kenny — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0700

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's new Office of Ecosystem Services and Markets (OESM) is just getting off the ground, but once under way it should lead to better coordination not only among agencies charged with regulating various ecosystem service markets, but also among markets for water, biodiversity and, of course, carbon.

Climate Corps: The Benefits of Monitoring Your Building’s Performance

Lindsay McCombs — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:34:00 -0700

With falling asset values and limited access to capital, many in the real estate industry are spending their time on the next best thing to doing deals: going green. Not only do energy and water efficient buildings have relatively low operating costs, asset managers report these buildings also have high occupancy rates, quick space absorption and proud tenants.

The Climate Change Showdown: Dealmaking Begins Anew with Bill in U.S. Senate

Bill Beaver — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:35:00 -0700

If you thought automakers and banks were the only companies getting a blank check from the government -- think again. The debate over which companies will cash in and how much money will get back to consumers hit with higher energy prices are leading to a showdown this summer in Congress.

Fleets Leaner, Greener Despite the Recession

GreenBiz Staff — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:49:00 -0700

The collapsed economy hasn’t soured commercial fleets' interest in greener vehicles, and in some cases, the recession has actually accelerated efforts, according to a new survey from PHH Arval.

'Organic' Certification Expands in Canada but Criticized in the U.S.

Sarah Terry-Cobo — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:56:00 -0700

While Canada unveils its own certification system, the U.S. label is criticized by consumers.

Mitsubishi Electric Spotlights Products that May Qualify for Stimulus Money

GreenBiz Staff — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:53:00 -0700

Since the passage of the stimulus legislation in February, a number of firms providing energy efficiency products and services have positioned their offerings in terms of their potential to qualify for tax credits under the Recovery Act. Mitsubishi's U.S. operations is among the latest company to do so, listing a diverse array of products.