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Green Business Trends
December 4, 2009
U.S. Commits Greenhouse Reduction for Copenhagen
President Obama will commit the U.S. to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 when he attends the upcoming Copenhagen climate talks.
This target was set in the House version of the climate bill passed in June. Environmental groups argued that it was too weak. The Senate bill that is under consideration calls for 20% by 2020.
While Congress is not expected to deliver climate legislation in time for Copenhagen, Obama signed an executive order mandating that federal agencies set goals for cutting emissions by 2020, along with other environmental measures.
Obama also launched a “green partnership” with India, affirming a commitment for the U.S. and India to work together on climate change and clean energy. India so far does not plan to commit to specific targets.Read about the US-India Green Partnership »
Read about the executive order »
Consumers Struggle to Find Green Products
More than one-quarter of US consumers state that they don’t buy green products because they aren’t available where they shop, and among those who look for green products regularly, only half find them, according to the 2009 LOHAS Consumer Trends Database. The Natural Marketing Institute, which maintains the database, called for retailers to fill the gap with more green products and new methods of consumer identification.
Newsweek Ranks Greenest Corporations
Newsweek launched their new annual Green Rankings, the result of a collaborative effort with leading environmental researchers. The list scores the 500 largest U.S. companies on sustainability efforts, combining an evaluation of environmental policies and reputation with company-provided data.
See Green America’s Responsible Shopper analysis »
Top Green Jobs During the Recession
Green Dream Jobs released data showing the top green job titles posted by employers during the recession. The top city for green employment was Washington, D.C. and other top cities with aggressive green business incentives and policies included San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Boston, Chicago, Portland, Oregon and Burlington, Vermont.
Corporations Quit Chamber of Commerce
Large corporations are taking a stand against the U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposition to governmental regulation on carbon emissions. Among those leaving the Chamber are some of the largest electric utility companies, including Exelon, Pacific Gas & Electric Co., and PNM Resources, as well as Apple and Nike.
Following the departures, the Chamber sent a letter in favor of addressing climate change in Congress, but calling for a different approach than the current legislation under debate.
Read Chamber of Commerce letter »
Read about Exelon's Departure »
AAA’s Eco-Certified Hotels Locator
Leading travel organization AAA is launching a program to highlight eco-friendly lodging in their guides and on their website. AAA will place a bright green “ECO” symbol alongside lodgings that have received environmental certification through a well-established government or private program.
Business Leaders Support Greater Voice in Public Issues
A majority of executives feel that business should be more involved in addressing public issues such as climate change and health care, according to the 2009 State of Corporate Citizenship survey of small, medium, and large business executives. However, the results showed a conflict between corporate beliefs and their practices, and only 34% of those surveyed felt that greater government regulatory oversight of business was important to ending the current economic crisis.