Recently, we posted these eight things you want in a sustainability program.

Years ago, our CEO worked in the HBA industry and was responsible for marketing fragrances, cosmetics and toiletries. 

Kristy Doolan interviewed our CEO for this article in Cosmetics Design Europe.

In the article, Kristy highlights the following points, which are consistent with statements we have also made in recent articles and posts –

• Green claims are held under a microscope – Greenwashing is being pursued by regulatory agencies and consumers

• Go Green or go home – If you are not able to prove you are a sustainable company, you are in trouble

• Purchase influence – The majority of consumers are considering sustainability when making a purchase

• Sustainability is growing in importance – As we posted recently, sustainability is already the #1 issue in the world….yet it continues to grow

• Greenwashing is out – Following on the point above, they are going to investigate if you are certified via a reputable program and if not, the reaction is not going to be good for your brand

• Reduction of carbon footprint is also important – Make sure your sustainability program includes the ability to also certify you for carbon neutrality

• The 8 things you want in a sustainability program – Kristy then presents our list of 8 things you should look for in a sustainability program

If you feel Kristy makes a good point, watch this master class and contact us.

CPL Group USA ( http://cplgroupusa.com/ ) heads a group of companies that are synergistically aligned to provide end-to-end electric grid infrastructure management services to commercial, institutional, industrial and residential buildings.  CPL’s founders have been in the Energy Management business for over 35 years, positioning the company to national prominence in the industry. The company has continued its environmental sustainability commitment by renewing and extending its Edenark Group ISO 14001 sustainability certification through 2024.

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.   Edenark Group also helps clients pursue carbon neutrality and ESG compliance, using the Edenark Group ISO 14001 as a foundation for long term compliance.

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.   

“We are a leader in our space and our innovative approach to infrastructure management helps commercial real estate owners set and achieve their sustainability goals,” says Davide Gristina, Chairman/CEO of CPL Group USA.  “We are passionate about all businesses and buildings, no matter what their size, having a profitable sustainability program.  We also recognize the impact Scope 3 and other regulations will have on organizations; and are a solution for our clients who, as part of their own sustainability programs, need their vendors to also be certified sustainable.” 

“In 2023, while also rebuilding from the impact of the pandemic, our team was able to work on over 20 projects, including reducing equipment repair energy costs, reducing office supplies, adding thermostats to lower electric costs, reducing plastic, increasing digital invoicing, and reducing travel costs.  Further, the Green Team has an exciting list of projects scheduled for 2024,” added Gristina.

“CPL Group USA, Inc. is a wonderful example of what the world needs more of – an organization that produces a superior product, supports its current stakeholders, shows it cares about future generations via its commitment to sustainability certification, ensures that it is ahead of the compliance curve for the benefit of its clients, and makes more money due to its sustainability programs,” said David Goodman, CEO of Edenark Group.  “When an organization executes the Edenark Group ISO 14001 sustainability certification, as CPL Group USA, Inc. is doing, it not only benefits the environment, but it also benefits its own operation,” added Goodman.

CPL Group USA (http://cplgroupusa.com/ ) can be reached at +1.914-482-0599

Edenark Group can be reached at +1 561.512.2257     

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In October 2023, the Voluntary Carbon Market Disclosure Act (AB 1305) was signed into law in California.

The law is now in effect, having commenced 1/1/24.

Why does this matter to you?

Even if your business is not physically located in California, if you are making claims of ‘net zero’ or ‘carbon neutrality’ or ‘reduced GHG emissions’, in California, you need to disclose. 

Further, you need to disclose if your claims have been verified by a 3^rd party.  (Soon, this will be mandatory.)

Taking it a step further, if you are a vendor to a company that meets the above and their claim is ‘net zero’, you can expect to become involved, as they will need to report on their Scope 3 (which included you, their vendor).

But California is less than 1% of the world’s land mass.  If you are not marketing in that market, why would you care?

Because the California law is consistent with existing/pending laws around the world.  Even if you are not marketing in CA, you will be facing carbon disclosure laws in your market.

If you would like to get ahead of this, watch this master class and contact us.

A year ago, in December 2022, Canada new electric car sales were 10% of total car sales.

Next year, the Canadian government will be allocating car sales against a 20% electric car target, double the December 2022 percentage. 

Then, by 2035, just 11 years from now, Canada plans to have eliminated fossil fuel new car sales – 100% electric cars.

Think of the ripple effect across the Canadian economic landscape, of this singular government action – everything from manufacturing to dealership layout to the design of ‘gas’ stations to your local mechanic.

Then, think of those businesses that were proactive and prepared for this; versus those businesses that have resisted the change.

Then think of your business. 

Is your company environmentally certified sustainable and promoting same to your prospects or are you waiting for all of this to blow over?

There are going to be winners and losers.  If you would like to improve your odds, watch this master class and contact us.

Unlimited Auto Wash of West Palm Beach, FL, is part of the seven-location Unlimited Auto Wash Club that serves South Florida.  Unlimited Auto Wash is a 100% Full Service Hand Car Wash with over 170 employees.  It cares deeply about the environment and the community it serves, and has pursued and attained the Edenark Group ISO 14001 environmental sustainability certification for 2024.

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.  This allows an organization to validate, via 3^rd party audit against the world’s top standard, its environmental / sustainability / green / eco-friendly actions.

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 for current and future generations.   

“We wanted to be the first certified sustainable car wash in the region as we are a leader in our industry,” says Kevin Dalton, CEO of Unlimited Auto Wash.  “Many organizations, looking to cash in on consumer demand, claim to be environmentally friendly, but most practice greenwashing by self-auditing or self-certifying or using non-globally-recognized programs.  We decided we were going to pursue environmental sustainability the way we run our business – the right way.  The Edenark Group ISO 14001 sustainability certification program provides us that opportunity.  This will be wonderful for all our stakeholders; our customers, our employees, our company and our community.” 

“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 message to all those around them that may be claiming to be environmentally-supportive, but are in truth greenwashing by not validating their actions under a global 3^rd party certification,” says David Goodman, CEO of Edenark Group.  “Companies who are agreeing to adhere to the world’s Gold standard for sustainability certification are allowing their actions to be reviewed; are choosing to be a leader and part of the solution, not the problem; and are joining an elite fraternity of over 400,000 organizations, in over 150 countries, that have committed to continually improving in every way.”

Unlimited Auto Wash can be reached at +1 561-WASH-ME-2

Edenark Group can be reached at +1 561.512.2257     

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This article discusses the below trends that will impact sustainability, and you and your business, in 2024

• Heightened call to protect workers amid latest wave of AI innovations – With 300 million jobs potentially at risk due to AI, a strong moral thread to protect humans will emerge

• Sales of EVs will increase and governments will support the transition away from traditional vehicles

• Scope 3 disclosure demand and the impact on vendors will grow dramatically

• Movement away from greenwashing – More companies will take the necessary steps (3^rd party validation / certification) to become credible with their sustainability claims

• With 40 national elections across the world in 2024, voters will have a major voice in the expansion of environmental sustainability across the world.

Safran Oil Systems, a 36,250 SF manufacturer of commercial airline oil tanks, located in Fort Myers, FL, and operating as a subsidiary of Safran Aero Boosters, a $1B, Belgian-based global leader in lubrication units, oil tanks, heat exchangers, and special valves, has continued its environmental sustainability commitment by renewing and extending its Edenark Group ISO 14001 sustainability certification through 2024.

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.   Edenark Group also helps clients pursue carbon neutrality and ESG compliance, using the Edenark Group ISO 14001 as a foundation for long term compliance.

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.   

“We are best of class in aircraft engine oil tanks development and production and accept the responsibility of leading this effort that will make a global impact,” said Jean-Pierre Posset, General Manager of Safran Oil Systems.  “Our organization, including our employees in Florida and the rest of the world, cares deeply about the environment and sustainability.  We are excited to receive this certification and join the others around the world that have chosen to be part of the solution.  In 2023, the team was able to expand its use of paperless software tools that reduced wood, water, carbo and waste.  The team was also able to reuse and/or donate packaging materials from suppliers; and was able to extend the sorting of trash in the shop.  Further, we were able to also plan a broad list of 2024 projects that our Green Team is excited about tackling this coming year.”

“Safran Oil Systems is a pleasure to work with and is an example of what the world needs more of – an organization that produces a superior product, supports its current stakeholders, shows it cares about future generations via its commitment to sustainability certification, and makes more money due to its sustainability programs,” said David Goodman, CEO of Edenark Group.  “When an organization executes the Edenark Group ISO 14001 sustainability certification, as Safran Oil Systems is doing, it not only benefits the environment, but it also benefits its own operation,” added Goodman.

Safran Oil Systems can be reached at https://www.safran-aero-boosters.com/

Edenark Group can be reached at +1.561.512.2257     

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Per a study of 16,000 businesses discussed in this article

• 58% are making statements and commitments to stakeholders about their sustainability performance
• But only 8% have formal reporting programs that document that performance

The gap between those two – making claims you cannot support – is greenwashing.

Taking the above to the next step, even if you document your own performance internally (ie, self-certify), you are at risk, as you are not using a 3^rd party to validate.

There are many greenwashing activists and they love finding organizations that make sustainability claims without being certified under a globally accepted program with 3^rd party validation. 

Don’t take the risk.  If you are not certified via a globally-respected program that uses 3^rd party validation, don’t promote/hype your sustainability efforts.

This Forbes article makes five sustainability forecasts for 2024 and we comment on each.

1.  The market will transition from managerial to entrepreneurial sustainability

• The author is correctly stating that for the past two years many organizations have been focused on building their internal reporting responses to the new regulatory requirements going into effect around the world.

• But what about SMEs? The majority of SMEs have not given this any thought.  We believe 2024 will bring the impact of lack of action to many SMEs.

2)  From net zero to solutions agenda

• The author is suggesting that individual companies cannot achieve net zero pledges without help from others.

• We completely agree and have been beating the Scope 3 drum for some time. Tied to the above point about SMEs not being ready for their clients’ regulatory demands, we are going to see SMEs receive Scope 3 letters and learn that their clients are reviewing vendors based on the ability to satisfy net zero requirements.

3)  From purpose marketing to honest products

• The author highlights that many companies have been called out for greenwashing, causing an immediate pull back (ie, greenhushing). Going forward, acting responsibly, respecting diversity and reducing environmental impact will not win medals.  It is table stakes.  Honesty and verified performance will be required.

• We agree. The days of making claims without a legitimate 3^rd party validation against a recognized program are gone.

4)  From social impact to justice

• The author suggests we are moving into a period where the S in ESG will require tangible, verifiable, performance.

• Again, we agree. Lip service on climate, gender, pay, race will have a harder time not being exposed.

5) From business case to personal case

• The author suggests that to maintain support for sustainability within a company you need to make it personal. She states that people with green skills are offered 29% more money at hire than their peers with no green skills.

• Again, we agree. We create a Green Team in every organization we certify.  Employees are allowed to participate on the Green Team and improve their green credentials.

Bottom line, the world is changing and companies need to change with it if they want to remain competitive.  If you want to learn more, watch this master class and contact us.

Unlimited Auto Wash of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, is part of the seven-location Unlimited Auto Wash Club that serves South Florida.  Unlimited Auto Wash is a 100% Full Service Hand Car Wash with over 170 employees.  It cares deeply about the environment and the community it serves, and has pursued and attained the Edenark Group ISO 14001 environmental sustainability certification for 2024.

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.  This allows an organization to validate, via 3^rd party audit against the world’s top standard, its environmental / sustainability / green / eco-friendly actions.

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 for current and future generations.   

“We are a leader in our space and wanted to be the first certified sustainable car wash in the region,” says Kevin Dalton, CEO of Unlimited Auto Wash.  “Many organizations, looking to cash in on consumer demand, claim to be environmentally friendly, but most practice greenwashing by self-auditing or self-certifying or using non-globally-recognized programs.  We decided we were going to pursue environmental sustainability the way we run our business – the right way.  The Edenark Group ISO 14001 sustainability certification program provides us that opportunity.  This will be wonderful for all our stakeholders; our customers, our employees, our company and our community.” 

“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 message to all those around them that may be claiming to be environmentally-supportive, but are in truth greenwashing by not validating their actions under a global 3^rd party certification,” says David Goodman, CEO of Edenark Group.  “Companies who are agreeing to adhere to the world’s Gold standard for sustainability certification are allowing their actions to be reviewed; are choosing to be a leader and part of the solution, not the problem; and are joining an elite fraternity of over 400,000 organizations, in over 150 countries, that have committed to continually improving in every way.”

Unlimited Auto Wash can be reached at +1 561-WASH-ME-2

Edenark Group can be reached at +1 561.512.2257     

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