Sustainability Knowledge and News from Five Winds International
"What's good for business is good for the world," and sustainability is good for both! As the world weathers through the Great Recession and moves into 2010, it is clear to us and our clients that sustainable business practices can help businesses connect with customers, build solid brands, manage risks, and uncover new market opportunities. Challenges will always be waiting for us, but the integration of sustainable business priorities is becoming basic management practice—which is great for both business and the world!
Nothing typifies the new paradigm more than carbon. In the 1990's, when Five Winds started its own journey to improve sustainability, the coming climate crisis was a priority for many of our customers, though many others still considered it an issue to learn about, and not necessarily one of major concern. Today the SEC and other securities regulators provide guidance to public companies regarding carbon disclosure requirements. Gone are the days where understanding an issue was sufficient. Everyone in business today is under a mandate to Understand, Improve and Succeed in the Marketplace through Sustainability. The challenges for applying this perspective to products, organizational performance, and management practices are manifold and different for each client with whom we work. However, common themes emerge—for carbon, conducting footprint analyses is only a starting point. Businesses are actively moving beyond the integration of footprint analysis into their regular business cycles, and are now using footprint information to make investment decisions, support design changes, and inform branding campaigns. The engine of business becomes the engine of sustainability!
In this issue of Patterns, you have the chance to learn more about the carbon challenges and opportunities of some of Five Winds clients—from whom we have learned as well. Please enjoy this newsletter and reach out to any of our Five Winds and PE International consultants to learn more about how we can help your company Understand, Improve and SucceedTM!
Find us at our newly refreshed website: www.fivewinds.com.
John Heckman
Director
Five Winds International
