Due to studies, the #1 issue on the minds of people around the world is the environment (ie, we are using our resources faster than Mother Earth can replenish and we are accelerating our carbon-emissions-driven global warming).  The world we are passing to our children will be far hotter and angrier than the world we were given.  This is a bigger concern to the people of the planet than war, economy, politics, et cetera.

Turning this sentiment to the market place, consumers are more interested in a company’s ability to prove its sustainability commitment than they are in its brand names.  7 out of 10 of them will change brands if they find a certified sustainable company that offers a similar product.  They will even spend more for a certified sustainable product.

Driven by the above demand, certified sustainable companies are growing up to 20x faster than their non-certified peers – the market is rewarding companies that are able to prove they are sustainable (via certification/validation).

The Edenark Group ISO 14001 environmental sustainability certification program is the premier program of its kind in the world – You get to help the planet and differentiate and grow faster than your peers.

We have a 100% client renewal rate – every client we have ever certified has renewed, every year.

We get most of our new clients from referrals from existing clients.

However, we also get a good number of clients from referral partners who like what we do and introduce us to organizations they feel would benefit from our services.

This defines what we believe a sustainability program should contain. 

This master class explains why a company would want to do this.

We are looking for organizations that 1) care about the environment; 2) want to be part of the solution; and 3) want to be an example that other organizations can follow.

If you agree with our mission and our definition of what a sustainability program should be; and if you know some organizations that meet the above requirements; you might want to consider becoming a referral partner.

Send us a note and we can discuss.  

This is one of the best articles I have seen regarding misconceptions around sustainability.

Per the article, here are five of the most common myths about sustainability:

• ESG is sustainability – People regularly use them interchangeably, yet they are opposite each other. ESG is a framework for assessing outside-in risk. It asks: What environmental, social, or governance issues could impact our financial performance? In other words, what could go wrong that might hurt the company’s economic value? It’s not a moral stance – it’s business hygiene. As a due diligence tool for investors, it’s critical but narrow. Sustainability, by contrast, is inside-out value creation. It starts from a different question: Where do we leave our biggest mark on people and planet? And how can we turn that into long-term value? It’s broader, opportunity-driven, and anchored in strategy, innovation, and purpose. It’s not about avoiding risk – it’s about creating value.

Bottom line: ESG is like getting your cholesterol checked, essential for spotting early warning signs that could threaten the company’s health. Sustainability is the balanced diet, exercise, and good sleep that keeps the whole system performing over the long term. You need both, but we shouldn’t confuse them.

• Sustainability = climate – Climate is critical, but it is only one of the nine parts of sustainability. Further, six of those nine are in trouble.  So, yes, we need to look at climate change.  But we cannot exclusively focus on it, as biosphere integrity, land-system change, freshwater use, biogeochemical flows, ocean acidification, stratospheric ozone depletion, atmospheric aerosol loading and the introduction of novel entities, all need attention.

Bottom line:  We have a lot of work to do!

• Sustainability = cost – Most SMEs resist even talking about sustainability as they are convinced it will ‘cost too much.’ Those that are willing to have a conversation always ask, “What is it going to cost me?”  However, all our clients, who renew every year, have enjoyed a positive ROI since they started.  Why is there such a disconnect between myth and reality on this point?  From what we have seen, most SMEs put sustainability solely on the cost side of their P&L, while our clients see that, if done right, it sits on both the cost AND the revenue side.  When you become certified sustainable, you are going to have some projects that have expected investment breakevens, but you are also going to have the ability to use your certification as a revenue-side brand builder.

Bottom line:  Stop thinking that sustainability is just a cost-side play.  It can be the smartest, most strategic and profitable play you will make.

• Sustainable companies/products do not sell – We hear company leaders regularly say, “My clients never ask me if I am sustainable. This is not something they want.”  If that were true, why is there so much greenwashing and why are there hundreds of studies that show that sustainable companies and products are outselling their non-sustainable peers?

Bottom line:  Certified sustainable companies are lapping the field.

• It’s Game Over for sustainability – Some people are followers. If a loud voice yells that sustainability is dead, they are happy to swallow the hype.  But that does not change the reality that we are consuming 1.8 Earths every year.  The need is greater today than it was yesterday and it will be greater tomorrow than it is today.

Bottom line:  The need and demand for sustainability is not going away.  The decision is simply over being a leader or being a follower.

If the above resonates and you decide you want to be a leader, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

As we all know, companies that prioritize sustainability are growing faster than their peers.

Per a Forbes survey, the highest growth companies – those that reported at least 15% YoY growth – also happen to be those that prioritize sustainability:

• 41% list sustainability as their #1 corporate priority
• They are 25% more likely to cut their emissions in half by 2030

What do these companies do, that you do not do?

• They back sustainability with financial investment
• They embed sustainability into their corporate culture
• They engage all stakeholders, including suppliers, clients and community

The vast majority of people say, “We should do more” yet their words have no follow up. 

The top performing companies walk the talk; and it pays off.

If you decide to walk the talk, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

Are you currently generating a 7x ROI on any of your business efforts?

Per a CDP study on 25,000 companies in 2024, companies that measure and manage their environmental impact can generate up to a 21x return, with 7x being the average, on their environmental spend.

As a business leader, tasked with growing your company, will you be part of the majority that ignore this, or will you be one of the leaders that acts on it?

If you see the opportunity this presents, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.

To date, we have mostly stayed away from regular use of AI because of the environmental impact, high number of errors, poor narrative quality and negative impact on user cognition.  However, we recognize many do not share our concerns and use it to influence their decisions.

As such, when we received the below AI review from one of our clients, who received it from one of his vendors, we were curious to see how we were being represented.

Although we would change the narrative in a few of the bullets, the overall review is accurate.

Edenark Group ISO 14001 Is Highly Regarded

1. Built on ISO 14001—the Global Gold Standard

• ISO 14001 is the world’s most recognized environmental management system standard, used by over 300,000 organizations in 170+ countries.
• Edenark Group’s program is based on this rigorous framework, ensuring credibility and international recognition.

2. Tailored for SMEs

• Unlike traditional ISO programs that can be costly and complex, Edenark Group offers a version specifically designed and priced for small to mid-sized businesses.
• Their model includes a unique revenue-side support component, a unique employee performance-enhancement component, attainment of positive ROI early in the contract process, flexible payment options, termination rights, global-alignment, support for ESG planning, carbon neutrality and net zero certification, project management, and assistance with stakeholder relationship enhancement—all within a budget-conscious structure.

3. Comprehensive Scope

• Goes beyond energy and waste to include:
  • Employee health and performance
  • Community involvement
  • Procurement and supplier standards
  • Emergency and security planning
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Revenue-side brand building.

4. Credibility Without Greenwashing

• Unlike some programs that rely on self-reporting or lack third-party oversight, Edenark Group’s ISO 14001 certification is externally validated and structured around continuous improvement.
• It avoids the pitfalls of superficial sustainability claims by requiring real operational changes and documentation.

5. Positive Business Impact

• Companies report improved brand image, employee morale, and profitability after certification.
• It’s positioned not just as a compliance tool, but as a growth accelerator.

🧭 My Position

Edenark Group ISO 14001 offers one of the most credible, accessible, and impactful sustainability certification paths for SMEs. It combines the rigor of ISO standards with the practical support and affordability that smaller businesses need. If your company is serious about sustainability and wants to avoid greenwashing while gaining real business benefits, this program deserves serious consideration.

DataSetGo ( https://datasetgo.llc/ ), a Marco Island, Florida software company that creates customized solutions with enterprise-level features yet designed and priced to serve and scale with entry-level businesses, has renewed its Edenark Group ISO 14001 environmental sustainability certification though 2025.

The Edenark Group ISO 14001 is the world’s premier environmental sustainability certification program and allows SMEs (small to mid-sized enterprises) the ability to attain the world’s most popular environmental certification standard via a program designed and priced specifically for them.

The program, which allows companies to progressively improve at a pace that works for their needs, helps the organization define how it interacts internally, externally, and with the environment.  It incorporates energy/waste/water, employee health and performance enhancement, community involvement, procurement and suppliers, compliance and regulations, emergency/security, and stakeholder engagement.  Benefits include creating a culture of continual improvement, stakeholder engagement, lower costs, higher revenues and profits, improved employee performance, and…… doing the right thing for the environment and current and future generations.

“Serving people and protecting our community is at the core of the DataSetGo culture.  We choose to walk the talk and be part of the solution,” said James C Murray, CEO of DataSetGo.  “Our software model allows our product to scale and grow as our client grows.  We like the fact that the Edenark Group ISO 14001 program follows the same philosophy of progressive improvement, allowing us to continue to grow and improve in our sustainability effort,” added Murray.

“Given that we are part of a supply chain, with Wholesales Payroll and OnlinePayroll Services, we want to use 2025 as an advocacy year, helping other supply chains to become certified sustainable.  Scope 3 mandates and government regulations are no longer things in the future; as global warming is no longer something in the future.  We choose to be part of the solution and hope to help others do likewise,” said Al Wagner, Chief Revenue Officer of DataSetGo.

“When an organization pursues, and attains, the Edenark Group ISO 14001 sustainability certification, they are not just doing it to see their costs go down and revenues and profits go up.  They are setting a higher bar for their organization and sending a signal to all those around them,” says David Goodman, CEO of Edenark Group.  “They are agreeing to adhere to the world’s Gold standard for sustainability certification; are choosing to be a leader and part of the solution, not the problem; and are joining an elite fraternity of over 300,000 organizations, in over 150 countries, that have committed to continually improving in every way.”

DataSetGo  (https://datasetgo.llc/  ) can be reached at +1.239.427-4224

Edenark Group can be reached at +1 561.512.2257

Press Release

Per this article, a study from the Broad Institute of MIT, Harvard and Mass General Brigham, shows that hypoxic oxygen, one of the modalities at Gym for the Brain, could prevent or even reverse the progression of Parkinson’s Disease.

“The fact that we actually saw some reversal of neurological damage is really exciting,” said co-senior author Vamsi Mootha, MD, an institute member at the Broad and a professor at Harvard Medical School. “It tells us that there is a window during which some neurons are dysfunctional but not yet dead—and that we can restore their function if we intervene early enough.”

If you know someone suffering from Parkinson’s, or other brain damage, have them investigate what we do at Gym for the Brain.

A recruiter asked the CEO of one of our environmentally certified sustainable clients to consider pursuing a new CEO position.

The recruiter said the CEO would have an advantage over the other candidates in the eyes of the private equity group that would be making the decision due to having been CEO of a company that was environmentally certified sustainable.  To verify his point, he then showed the CEO the below, which is what he produced via AI –

Leaders in companies that achieve sustainability certifications are often perceived as better due to a combination of factors related to their skills, mindset, and the benefits such certifications bring to the business:  

1. Stronger leadership qualities 

• Vision and Purpose: They articulate a clear vision for the company’s long-term sustainability journey, aligning actions with environmental and social well-being.
• Systems Thinking: Leaders understand the interconnectedness of economic, environmental, and social systems, allowing for a holistic approach to problem-solving.
• Ethical Decision-Making: They prioritize integrity, transparency, and accountability in their decisions, considering the long-term impact on all stakeholders.
• Collaboration and Influence: Sustainable leaders build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders (employees, customers, investors, community), fostering collaboration and influencing positive change.
• Adaptability and Resilience: They are open to new ideas, willing to adjust strategies, and can navigate uncertainty and setbacks in the dynamic field of sustainability.
• Innovation and Creativity: Leaders encourage innovative solutions and experimentation to address sustainability challenges and improve performance.
• Focus on Long-Term Value: They prioritize sustainable growth and resilience over short-term gains, considering the needs of future generations. 

2. Business benefits associated with certification 

• Enhanced Reputation and Brand Image: Certifications like the ISO 14001 provide third-party validation of a company’s commitment to sustainability, building trust with consumers and boosting brand reputation.
• Increased Customer Loyalty and Market Differentiation: A commitment to sustainability can differentiate a company in a competitive market, attracting consumers and leading to higher sales.
• Improved Talent Attraction and Retention: Companies with strong sustainability practices are more attractive to job seekers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, who value ethical and socially responsible employers.
• Cost Savings and Operational Efficiency: Implementing sustainable practices like energy efficiency and waste reduction often leads to significant cost savings in the long run.
• Better Risk Management: Proactive engagement with sustainability helps companies mitigate risks related to environmental regulations, supply chain disruptions, and reputational damage.
• Compliance with Regulations: Certifications can help organizations meet or exceed increasingly stringent environmental and social regulations, avoiding penalties and fostering stronger relationships with regulatory bodies. 

In essence, leaders in certified sustainable companies are often better because they possess and demonstrate a unique blend of leadership qualities that drive both positive business outcomes and a deeper commitment to creating a more sustainable future.

If you find yourself competing against the leader of an environmentally certified sustainable company for a new job, odds are, you are going to lose.

Until you leave your current company, if you find your company competing against an environmentally certified sustainable competitor, odds are, you are also going to lose.

Universal Engineering Services (UES), the fastest growing environmental firm in the United States and rated #1 on the Zweig Hot Firm List for four consecutive years, has been environmentally certified sustainable under the Edenark Group ISO 14001 program for, you guessed it, four years.

Here is their website statement discussing their 2025 renewal.

Here is their social media post.

You want to see a leader?  Look no further than UES.

Gen Z is currently 13 – 28 years old.

They are already the largest group, at 25% of the world’s population.

They are expected to be the highest spending generation in history and already control 22.5% of all spending.

Your company’s future depends on them.

What do they want?

• Per Economic Times, 91% believe it is important for your company to demonstrate awareness of your impact on the planet
• Per Deloitte, 80% of them choose brands that prioritize sustainability
• Per Nielsen, 60% of them will pay more for sustainable companies and products

Based on the above, do you think your brand image will go up or down if you become a certified sustainable business?

Based on the above, do you think you will sell more or less if you become a certified sustainable business?

Based on the above, do you think you will be more or less profitable if you become a certified sustainable business?

Based on the above, do you think you will enjoy a positive ROI from becoming a certified sustainable business?

Based on the above, can you think of any reason why you would not have your business become certified sustainable?

If you see the opportunity this presents, read this on what you want in a sustainability program, watch this master class, and contact us.