CT Green Scene

Stamford 2030 Leading the Change in Sustainability Awards

Join the Stamford 2030 District as they recognize the achievements of those leading change in sustainability. This will be the Stamford 2030 District’s First Annual Recognition Awards, hosted graciously by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, October 21st 6 - 8:30 PM.

Award Nominations
Recognition will be made in four achievement areas:

• Innovation in Energy
• Innovation in Water
• Innovation in Transportation
• Innovation in Technology

Nomination forms available here >>

Event Details
Brian Geller, Founder of the first 2030 District and currently Senior Vice President, Corporate Sustainability, Citibank, will provide the keynote address. The evening will also feature a tribute to the Stamford 2030 District’s first year of accomplishments and a sneak peek at next year’s plans.

Cost
Tickets are $75 for General Admission and $100 VIP including pre-event reception with honorees.

Sponsorships
Interested in becoming an event sponsor? Learn more about the event sponsorship opportunities available >>

Registration
Register and pay online using our secure online application. Please enter your name and ticket preference (General Admission at $75 or VIP at $100) in the Notes section of the payment page. As one of Stamford 2030 District’s founding members, along with the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, The Business Council is pleased to offer our online registration for this event.

Governor Malloy Charges Council on Climate Change to Be Bold

By Heather Burns

I attended the inaugural Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3) meeting led by Commissioner, CT Department of Energy, Robert Klee, and was deeply impressed by the depth of commitment and intention of the Council.

During introductions, personal anecdotes illustrated why the work “addressing climate change – the most important issue of our time” was essential for this and future generations, and a strong commitment to the mission of the Council echoed around the room. Governor Malloy addressed the Council emphasizing the importance of taking bold, swift action and to making the most of one’s time spent in government office. Collaboration and cross sector partnerships were iterated as key opportunities for developing and implementing solutions.      

And while the “what” (carbon reductions); the “why” (healthy human existence on Earth) was clearly expressed; the how was not. Not unlike any multi-stakeholder group seeking to create a solutions-based plan to combat a complex problem, the how is always where the rubber meets the road.

A complex issue such as climate change – and the direct and indirect social and economic impacts of achieving meaningful carbon reductions – has deep roots in a broken system and requires clear and shared definitions before diving into the components of mapping a plan. An example was the continued reference to "clean energy" by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission as nuclear and gas rather than wind, hydro and solar which are supported by agencies such as NASA and the international science community, as well as the type of clean energy projects funded by GC3 member Connecticut Green Bank. 

The “who” beyond government agencies and NGOs was also vague as a continued reference to business and industry as a key stakeholder, surfaced an absence of representation. One of the goals of the newly founded Connecticut Sustainable Business Council is to create a platform for businesses within the state to engage in processes such as these, and to be able to contribute innovative, triple bottom line solutions being developed by many companies today. We stand by ready to assist. 

Even with all of the layers of complexities and dynamics to navigate, I have faith in GC3 to create clear shared definitions, include the sustainable business sector, establish realistic interim steps, and to consider implementation strategies when developing the framework of a plan. 

Connecticut's Ethan Allen Leads on Safer Chemicals & Sustainability

by Heather Burns

Mr. Farooq Kathwari, Chairman, President and CEO of Ethan Allen

We asked Ethan Allen what it means to understand the value of embedding sustainability principles and practices into company DNA; including finding ways to eliminate toxic chemicals from their products. 

Answers provided by Farooq Kathwari, Chairman, President & CEO of Ethan Allen. 

How does Ethan Allen view sustainability from a business standpoint? 

Ethan Allen started with its first plant in the Green Mountains of Vermont in 1932, and sustainability has been an integral part of our culture as a company and our DNA as a brand ever since. We like to say that green isn’t a buzzword here, it’s a business model. We have always been always been an industry leader on environmental issues, from establishing our own internal standards of excellence on recycling and energy consumption to partnering with the American Home Furnishings Alliance on all of its important sustainability initiatives. Wherever we do business in the world today, we are deeply dedicated to the responsible management of our planet’s precious natural resources.

What led to the decision to stop using fire retardants in your products?

The effectiveness of flame retardants has been called into question, so with the revision of upholstery flammability standards, we took the opportunity to take a leadership position in the industry, and now Ethan Allen can offer upholstery fabrics, leathers and resilient filling materials that are free of flame retardants yet still meet or surpass the most stringent U.S. flammability requirements for residential upholstered furniture. We are a client-focused company, and the safety and peace of mind of our clients always come first.   

How do you anticipate this action benefiting your business?

We have always prided ourselves on taking the long view. Not just on what’s best for short-term profits, but what’s best for the people we serve and the planet we share. The decisions we make today will have lasting impact on tomorrow, and we never forget that. From a business perspective, it’s our hope that we connect with people who share those values. 

What have been some of the operational difficulties or other barriers associated with this action and how has your company overcome them?

I go back to the culture of this company and the DNA of this brand. In other organizations, maybe these changes would’ve been met with resistance or grudging acceptance. But here at Ethan Allen, the challenges are always met with raised hands and the answers are always, "Yes” and “How I can be part of this?” 

What is the AHFA Eco3Home certification and what does Ethan Allen hope to accomplish by participating? 

This is another area in which we are partnering with AHFA on environmental responsibility issues. Basically, the initiative encourages the use of tags on a product to identify its carbon footprint. It’s a great idea. We are working closely with our AHFA partners to bring it to life. In the meantime, visit the Eco3Home section on the AHFA website. And you can always find our environmental initiatives detailed at http://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/sustainable-operations.html.

 

Video: NYC Climate Week Addresses from U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry & Others

Jeff Hollender Addresses How to Close the U.S. Wealth Gap & Remain Profitable

In 2010 - 2011, I had the pleasure of working with Jeff on the development of the American Sustainable Business Council. He was on his way out from Seventh Generation and on to bringing his vision of sustainable contraception and women's reproductive health - SUSTAIN - into being.

Check out this inspiring conversation on Bloomberg.