| |
What does it mean to be a green leader?
There are
many kinds of green labels and eco-certifications out
there -- from the major programs to the individual green
campaigns of business associations and individual
companies.
To make
things simpler, we've come up with a simple definition
of green leadership which can be applied equally to
businesses, organizations, and governments.
We define
green leadership as "environmental excellence in
your internal operations, your products and services,
and community support".
Sounds simple, but it
leads to some interesting ways to compare green leadership between a
wide variety of businesses and organizations, and to build a united
movement.
Introducing the GreenLeader
Program
-- Beta Test
The Challenge:
design a simple way to
promote green leadership which can be applied equally to businesses,
organizations, and governments, is easy to implement, integrates existing
certification, labelling and support programs for green leadership, and is
easily recognizable by the public.
The solution:
the GreenLeader rating,
a simple, self-assessed five-star rating system for green
leadership, based on...
an initial commitment
at least five significant actions
a detailed management plan for internal
operations
providing green products and services
providing community support
A Flexible and Adaptive Approach
The GreenLeader rating works the same for
stores, restaurants, offices, organizations,
institutions and governments. For
simplicity, the following chart focuses on the
business applications:
|
Category
|
Requirements
|
Details
|
Stars
Earned
|
|
Initial Commitment |
|
Pledge
|
A visible statement of commitment
|
Your business adapts and posts the
Greenleader statement of commitment
for customers to see.
Support information is available
according to the size of the
business.
|
 |
|
Actions
|
Demonstrated voluntary leadership
|
At least five significant actions,
relative to the size of your company
and your top environmental concerns.
|
|
|
Demonstrated Excellence
|
|
Internal
Operations
|
Documented environmental management
system or third party recognition of
excellence
|
Your business has independent
certification of excellence in its
operations, or has been identified
by a parent association as a green
leader through a credible assessment
and support program.
|
|
|
Products and
Services
|
>50% green products and services
|
Over half of the products and/or
services have a recognized green
label, or a verifiable and
significant claim to being
environmentally preferable (i.e. not
greenwash).
|
|
|
Community Support
|
1% for the Planet or equivalent
|
Your
business donates 1% of sales and or
time to the community. You can
include in-kind contributions and
volunteer time, and your definition
of community can be your
neighbourhood, your peers, or the
environmental community.
|
|
|
|
Beta-test: download the form...
Comments?
Help us design the program. Send
your comments and suggestions to us
here.
We'll be posting an online survey shortly.
|
Some FAQs about
GreenLeader Ratings |
1. Who
can use it?
Almost anyone. The
GreenLeader rating is designed to be a simple way of connecting
apples and oranges -- groups, businesses, institutions, governments.
We all can green our operations; we all provide services to our
constituents or customers.
2. Who does the rating?
You do. There are
thousands of businesses, thousands of organizations, and hundreds of
municipalities out there. You are all part of the conservation
movement if you are prepared to pitch in
3. How do I rate myself?
Download the assessment form.
Give yourself a star in each of the five categories if you meet the
requirements.
4.
What if there isn't any eco products
in my field?
Give yourself one star for
being in a relatively benign sector, such as the arts.
5.
Will anyone support or validate my assessment?
We are encouraging networks
and associations to develop guidelines (in consultation with
stakeholders) for their members to help ensure a common
interpretation.
6. What about other programs
and certificates?
We encourage you to go
deeper, especially where there are programs, audits, and
certification procedures for your sector (ISO14000, FSC, Ecologo,
Energy Star etc). Mention them in your statement of commitment
and provide details elsewhere.
7. What about our own campaigns and branding?
Integrate. Use your statement
of commitment to promote your own campaign or eco-brand.
8.
Can I use it to promote my products
Not directly. We
Conserve and the GreenLeader rating is intended to promote your
overall commitment and should not be used to promote individual
products or professional services.
9. What does it cost?
Our material is free and
shareware. We do ask that you include conservation in your
charitable giving, by supporting We Conserve, a local Conservation
Action Network, or any other conservation-related organization.
You'll note that supporting community is one of the five stars!
10. Who polices it?
Your customers, clients,
and/or constituents. They are the ones who are going to read
your statement, ask questions, and keep you honest.
Additionally, participating business and professional associations
will monitor use of the rating system by their members.
Finally, we will respond to complaints and the Conservation Council
reserves the right to withdraw approval for use of the We Conserve
wordmark and related material (including GreenLeader) where it is
being misused. |
|
|
| |
In-store signage: once
we have a critical mass of stores on the system
we will offer in-store signage and window clings
to promote the program.
Integrated signage: The
GreenLeader system can be integrated into
municipal and community-based programs
Live Green Toronto
is currently developing a retail engagement
campaign based on the first two stars of the
GreenLeader program, and supported by workshops
with Green Enterprise Toronto that will provide
participating stores with a ISO14001 compliant
management plan (the third star in our system.
Integrated Campaigns:
Also through
Live Green Toronto,
we are piloting a Live Green Toronto membership
card that is available to the public when they
make a Live Green pledge and will get them
discounts at participating Live Green Stores. |
|
|
The
GreenLeader rating is part of the
Great Green Directory, which means
that users can sort results
according to stores with the highest
GreenLeader rating.
|
|
|
