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Sustainability Roundtable Gives Strong Outlook for the Future of Municipalities, Corporations, and Government

Sustainability Roundtable Gives Strong Outlook for the Future of Municipalities, Corporations, and Government

Published 02-02-12

Submitted by OLD Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE)

Sustainability Roundtable panelists (Jan 25, 2012), from L to R: Nikos Avlonas (CSE), Menno Enters (Walgreens), Karen Weigert (City of Chicago), Doug Widener (U.S. Green Building Council), Herbert Lust (Boeing)

On the evening of January 25th, 2012, the Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE), in partnership with CSRwire and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, hosted a Sustainability Roundtable Discussion and reception at the Hotel Monaco in Chicago. An engaged audience featuring some of Chicagoland’s largest and most sustainable companies and organizations, including Allstate Insurance, Illinois Tool Works, and R.R. Donnelley, came out for a discussion on the topic “Using Sustainability to Mitigate Risk During Economic Turbulence.”

The evening’s first presenter was Karen Weigert, Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Chicago. Ms. Weigert communicated to the audience the City’s push for more efficient systems of transportation, waste reduction, and natural resource protection & restoration. She also reinforced the position of Mayor Emanuel’s administration to adhere to the Chicago Climate Action Plan.

Following Ms. Weigert was Doug Widener, Executive Director of the U.S. Green Building Council – Illinois Chapter who articulated the fiscal and environmental advantages of implementing the suite of rating systems known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods. Mr. Widener also noted that Chicago had more LEED certified buildings than any other city on the planet with 47.

Herbert Lust, Director of Strategy, Global Corporate Citizenship at Boeing provided examples to dispel the myth of any conflict between environmental stewardship and economic growth. Mr. Lust touted Boeing’s use of biofuels as an alternative to petroleum-based jet fuels, and the company’s mentality of engineering products and systems (R&D goes toward benefitting and addressing environmental performance).

The evening’s final presenter, Menno Enters, Director of Energy and Sustainability at Walgreen's, began with personal anecdotes from his childhood that gave rise to his enthusiasm for sustainability today. Mr. Enters touched on many of Walgreens’ initiatives including the use of geothermal energy, solar panels, and internal training and education on sustainability.

We are at a critical juncture where integrating sustainability into the corporate and governmental strategy and framework must be addressed as priorities,” stated Nikos Avlonas, President of CSE and moderator for the Roundtable. “We facilitate events such as tonight’s Roundtable not to pat ourselves on the back for the work we’ve done, but to engage with our peers in sharing best practices, addressing challenges, and pushing the sustainability movement forward.”

CSE is an international advisory, coaching and training organization with offices in the U.S., Greece, and Belgium. CSE specializes in sustainable development solutions and works with private and public sector clients for the advancement of sustainability, within their operations and organizational framework.

Sustainability Education from CSE

The Centre for Sustainability and Excellence has hosted Roundtable Discussions on various topics of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in cities across the U.S., including New York, Atlanta, and Washington, DC. CSE Roundtables have featured panel members from the Global Reporting Initiative, the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Sustainable Atlanta, and the Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SB NOW), among others.

On March 8-9, 2012, CSE will be hosting its Certified Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Training in Chicago, IL. CSE will also be hosting its Certified Carbon Footprint Practitioner Training on April 26-27, 2012 in Chicago. Early registration discounts are applicable one month prior to training date.

At present, more than 250 CSR Practitioners in over 25 countries are certified under the CSE. To view CSE’s complete 2012 training schedule, visit us on the web at www.cse-northamerica.org.

Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) logo

OLD Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE)

OLD Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE)

The Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) is a global strategic advisory and training organization specialized in Sustainability with offices in Chicago, Athens and Brussels. As an international network of specialists and consultants, CSE provides organizations, governments, and institutions unique and advanced services to achieve Stakeholder Value across Operational and Organizational frameworks.

Working with both the public and private sector, CSE offers clients advanced methodologies that adhere to social and environmental criteria. Contributing to the formation of Responsible Business worldwide, CSE produces positive impacts, enhances best practice and promotes Sustainability and Excellence through key service areas.

With a unique network of international partners, CSE also offers training on Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility and Climate Change in Europe, North America, Middle East and Asia. CSE is an approved training provider under the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), offering unique learning opportunities for professionals to earn global Certifications as Sustainability (CSR) Practitioners. CSE is a Carbon Neutral Organization since 2007 and issues an Annual Sustainability Report, based on the UNGC Principles.

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