Spotlight Series 2, Part 1
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The Basics of SustainabilityPresenter - Garry Brinton - Facilities, Planners + Architects, Inc.
Transcript of Spotlight Series 2, Part 1
Introduce ourselvesIntroduce principles of Green and SustainabilityLook at “greenwashing” – myths and realitiesWhat’s involved when “going green”?
Introduction to Sustainability
What is Sustainability?
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Various terms – Confusing and Misleading
“Green”SustainabilityEnergy EfficiencyHigh Performance
“Green washing”
Oil – How Long Will it Last?
9
What About Coal?
10
Does Wind Make Sense?
Wind Energy SystemCost Cost $100,000 $100,000 Energy Generated Energy Generated $3,571/year $3,571/yearPaybackPayback 28 years28 years
Upgrade LightingCost Cost $100,000$100,000Utility rebateUtility rebate $50,000$50,000Energy SavedEnergy Saved $25,000$25,000Payback Payback 2 years2 years
"Solar photovoltaic (PV) is a very exciting technology, but the current technology is not economic. We are throwing money away by installing the current solar PV technology, which is a loser."
Professor Severin Borensteinty, DirectorProfessor Severin Borensteinty, DirectorUniversity of California Energy InstituteUniversity of California Energy Institute
ScienceDaily (Feb. 22, 2008)ScienceDaily (Feb. 22, 2008)
How About Solar?
What about Geo-Thermal?
The complex consequences of our perceptions and habits
What event, which took place on April 2, 1987, caused the largest single-day increase in gasoline usage in history?
What’s the best energy saver ever invented?
Why Go Green? The RIGHT Thing to Do
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“Global warming is no longer a philosophical threat, no longer a future threat, no longer a threat at all. It’s our reality.”
Eaarth, by Bill McKibben, 2010
Why Go Green? The RIGHT Thing to Do
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[The “green” revolution]… is not about Earth Day concerts. It is not about green issues of magazines. It is not about 205 easy ways to go green. It is not about the latest dot-com gold rush or marketing fad, either. It is a survival strategy. It is about what we do in response to the truly massive challenge that we face to preserve the natural world that has been bequeathed to us. [emphasis added]
Hot, Flat & Crowded, by Thomas Friedman, 2008, pg 397
What is Sustainability?
Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs [Brundtland]
Sustainable Business Operations is a process of integrating the people, place and business of an organization that optimizes economic, environmental, and social benefits of sustainability
Steps Toward SustainabilityFocus
Compliance
Restorative
Sustainability
Green Marketing
Eco-Efficiencies
Avoid liabilities
Save money
Reposition products/services
Gain competitive advantage
Invest in natural/human capital
Source: The Business Guide to Sustainability
Pennsylvania Regulatory Environment
Governor’s Green Government CouncilEnergy Development Authority (EO 2004-12)DGS – Energy Management OfficePA Alternative Energy Portfolio StandardsAlternative Energy Investment Act (HB1, 2008)Act 129High Performance Buildings (HB 444, pending)
National CodesPending…
Why Should You Care?
You are being pressured by the demand to deliver better results & greater value, but at lower costsYou and your company are being compelled to respond to the need for sustainable practices and facilitiesYou have much more influence over a facility’s effect on the environment & the people in the buildings than those who designed/built them
Balance, Bias And Flexibility
People
ProfitPlanet
What are your/their sustainability boundaries?
Business Case Basics
1. Well structured reasoning for initiating a project or program
2. Outline of resources to be consumed that will benefit the organization
3. Specifics on who is involved, scope of activities, performance measures, management engagement, and benefits
4. Descriptions of metrics to allow management to measure progress and performance
Especially true for sustainability proposals
Preparing to Green Your Business
OverviewMotivationProcessCosts vs. BenefitsRisksCase Study Approach
Going Green – What is Involved?
Motivation and Values CheckSetting Achievable Goals Appointing a Champion/CoordinatorDeveloping an Action PlanImplementing With a ScheduleMeasuring ResultsReporting and Monitoring
Going Green – What is Involved?
Benefits of Pursuing Sustainability
Reduce energy, waste and costsDifferentiate your companySidestep future regulations – proactive complianceCreate innovative new products and processesOpen new markets
Benefits of Pursuing Sustainability
Attract and retain the best employeesImprove image with shareholders / publicReduce legal risks and insurance costProvide higher quality of life
EmployeesNeighbors
Liability for pollutantsSupply problems for raw materials / energyAttacks on your imageLegal risksBad-mouthing of your productsBeing closed out of certain markets
Threats if Not Pursued
Greenwashing claims – fair or notCannibalizing your own businessRaising unrealistic expectations
Risks in Pursuing Sustainability
Leading Sustainable ChangeLeaders are comfortable managing change
Influencing without authorityGetting the ear and respect of managementAvoiding burn-outEnrolling others
Two types of sustainability leadersChampionsInsurgents
RolesFor Champions
Assure management/employees they are on the right pathInvolve many departments - early
For InsurgentsChoose projects carefully – show resultsCreate a network of enthusiastic people – keep them informed – ask for suggestionsEngage when there is a “spark” of management interest
Managing Management Risk
If you have top management support - - -Pick best opportunities that align with business goalsCommunicate, educate, motivateForm steering team to oversee initiativesLaunch pilot projects
If you don’t - - -Find low-risk, high-potential projectGather baseline dataUse informal networks, stay below the radarDocument results in financial termsEducate management, look for support
Pick an Entry Point That Works
You purchase a lot of materialsYou have existing green activities (recycling)Employees are asking for a green programYou are designing new products/servicesLook for “low hanging fruit”You are expanding facilitiesYou have older facilities being renovated
A “Sears” Approach
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Good
Better
Best
Beyond Best
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Good
Characteristics:Identification of a sustainability champion.Development of corporate sustainability objectivesData Collection, measurements, and metricsDefinition of desired return on investmentFocus on the “low-hanging fruit”
Metrics and Tracking
Information required by regulatorsTracking operational performanceInformation for investors or customersInput for formal Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reportingEstablish comparable/competitive benchmarks for your business
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Better Characteristics:
Energy Audit
Energy Star Rating Analysis
Implement measures to achieve Energy Star Rating of 75
Commissioning and Re-Commissioning
Better
Energy Audits - Strategies
Level I ScopeDevelop Energy Utilization Index (Energy Cost/sf) Benchmark building to its Peer Group Document energy consuming equipmentDocument use schedule of energy consuming equipmentList no cost / low cost Energy Conservation Measures (ECM's)Estimate cost and ROI for no cost / low cost ECM's List potential capital improvements with estimated cost and ROI
Level II ScopeDetailed review of Mechanical and Electrical systems Develop equipment and operating modifications/ changes to reduce energy consumption Building HVAC load analysis - existing and w/ proposed ECM's implementation Building energy analysis with proposed modifications Develop ROI's for proposed modifications
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Best and Beyond Best
Best Characteristics:LEED Certification/Recertification
Beyond Best Characteristics:Zero Carbon footprintNet Zero Buildings
Review of Green Certifications
LabelingProduct certificationServices certificationBusiness certificationBuilding/Facility certification
Putting Your Best Foot Forward
Network, Network, NetworkGo to “School”
Formal – universities, own companyInformal – on-line, workshops, read
Get feedback from your mentorDelegate so you have time to prepareOutsource carefully and strategicallyKeep an eye on your results dashboard
Getting Further Help
InformationInternetReadingsMeetings
ConsultingAssociations/Groups/ForumsNetworking
Summary
Sustainability is a complex “opportunity”Leadership is criticalClarity is necessary for setting goalsAccounting and Justifying tools need to be adjustedFrameworks can make it easier for everyone to see what is desired and how it will work
What Typically Does NOT work?
“Spray-and-pray” – train everyone on The natural Step framework and sit back to see what happensThe big black hole – Train and then ask for suggestions, but don’t put in place a person/process to respond or give feedback.Disconnected leadership – boss hires a Champion but doesn’t work with his management team to describe expectations and consequences. Champion soon quits!Unrequited expectations – Getting everyone so excited that the business can’t implement or sustain them. Employees leave for “greener” pastures.
Framework for Action
Design
What is the breakthrough innovation that dramatically improves your sustainability?
Vision
What inspiring role do we have in creating the new, sustainable economy?
Efficiencies
Where can we quickly and easily save money, time, or resources?
Competitiveness
Where are the opportunities to improve our competitiveness?
Internal External
ShortTerm
LongTerm
Developing Green Action Plans
What are likely/possible green goals?What is the specific project you might propose?Who has to support then approve this project?What types of cost? Any rough idea of amounts?Who could be your sustainability champion?What is the kick off activity?Describe a successful project outcomeHow would it be made visible? To whom?When will you start this process????
Generations
