What It Is
A sustainable business organization promotes and enables sustainability. It serves as a resource for other organizations that are trying to go green.
Why It Matters
Sustainability organizations offer support and resources, which can help your company reach its sustainability goals.
Getting involved with a sustainability organization also helps you network with other businesses that are going green. Networking can give you some ideas on how to make your business more sustainable. Furthermore, it can introduce you to potential partners and improve business.
Getting Started
Getting started with a sustainability organization is easy:
1. Research local sustainability organizations
2. Select one that best suits your needs
3. Join up!
A great deal of impact in sustainability can be made at the local level, so look for a sustainability organization in your community. To make your search a little easier, we put together a list of sustainability groups, including a list of notable groups in each state. Click here to check it out.
In addition, don’t miss the organizations in your community involved in Green Plus. Because they are going through (or have gone through) the same process, they may have great ideas, contacts, connections and resources that can help your organization. You can find a list of those involved in Green Plus here.
Finally, your local chamber of commerce or municipal government may have a sustainability committee. This is another great way to get involved locally.
Going Further
Consider getting involved at the regional, national, or industry level if you want to go further:
Regional
- Northeast
Environment Northeast (ENE) - ENE is a non-profit organization that researches and advocates innovative policies. These policies “tackle the region’s environmental challenges while promoting sustainable economies.”[1]
- Northwest
Sustainable Northwest - “Sustainable Northwest brings people, ideas, and innovation together so that nature, local economies, and rural communities can thrive.”[2] Through collaboration, it bridges rural and urban interests, encourages entrepreneurship, and builds trust in sustainable resource management in the western U.S.
- Southeast
Green Chamber of the South - The Green Chamber of the South “[brings] together businesses and organizations across the Southeast to promote growth, innovation, and success of sustainability.”[3]
National
- Clean Economy Network - “CEN is the largest national networking, educational, and advocacy organization shaping a new economy based on clean technology and innovation.”[4]
- Green America - This nonprofit organization strives to “harness economic power – the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace -to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.”[5]
- Green Chamber of Commerce - “The Green Chamber of Commerce is a growing and diverse business network dedicated to promoting the success of its members, supporting the development of sustainable business practices, and advocating for a green public policy.”[6]
- US Green Chamber of Commerce - The US Green Chamber “[facilitates and supports] sustainable business, which spurs innovation, job creation, and energy efficiency” for a brighter economic future.[7]
Industry
Case Study
Two communities in Oregon, Burns and John Day, have come together to ensure sustainability in their timber industry, as it is vital to their economic and social well-being. Business leaders, citizens, and local government representatives are collaborating to help the industry thrive without depleting the local Malheur National Forest.
Mark Webb, a Grant County Judge in Oregon, states,
“Collaboration is really the only way to work through the legal and legislative frameworks that are currently in place. And it is the best way for rural communities like mine to have a meaningful say and role in public lands management and decision-making.”[8]
So far, the communities have seen environmental and economic improvements, as well as improvements in working relationships between stakeholders. For more information on this case, click here.
Resources for More Information
In addition to the link above, you may want to check out the following resources:
Videos:
- Sustainability at the Local Level, an interview with Angela Sager from the Office of Sustainability in Miami-Dade County
Links:
- ICLEI, a global network of local governments working towards sustainability
- “Local Government Action to Promote Sustainability” by James H. Svara
Conclusion
With its support and resources, a sustainability organization can help your organization achieve its sustainability goals, as well as potentially open up new business relationships. Getting involved at the local level is easy and can also help with networking. If you would like to go further, consider joining a sustainability organization on the regional or national level.
[1] Retrieved from Environment Northeast website
[2] Retrieved from “Mission” on the Sustainable Northwest website
[3] Retrieved from “About Us” on the Green Chamber of the South website
[4] Retrieved from “Mission” on the Clean Economy Network website
[5] Retrieved from Green America website
[6] Retrieved from “About” on the Green Chamber of Commerce website
[7] Retrieved from “Why a ‘Green’ Chamber of Commerce” on the US Green Chamber of Commerce website
[8] Quote retrieved from “Collaboration on the Malheur National Forest: A Case Study” by Sustainable Northwest
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