The WBCSD has published a Case Study on the US BCSD By-Product Synergy Program as part of the Collaborative Action for Energy Regional Network Case Study Series. 

The series of cases studies focuses on the experiences of WBCSD Regional Network partners and member companies in working together with government authorities and local organizations to overcome obstacles to reducing energy intensity in their regions.  

Download the Case Study or Visit the WBCSD Website.

The US Major Economies Initiative, which was launched by President Bush last September, held its second meeting in Hawaii from January 30-31. It involves 17 economies making up 80% of global GHG emissions.

WBCSD President Bjorn Stigson was invited by the White House to join the meeting and give a Business Input, in particular on sectoral approaches, to combat climate change.

You can download Mr. Stigson’s presentation from the US BCSD Member’s WBCSD Page.

The By-Product Synergy NW program in the Puget Sound Region is off to a great start. Many companies have joined and the network is scheduled to launch at the end of January.

Read the letter from Bob Drewel, the Executive Director of the Puget Sound Regional Council, supporting the initiative and inviting more companies to join the network.

The WBCSD's magazine Sustain is now available. This quarter’s edition focuses on the issue of Water - providing an update on the WBCSD project and examples of companies' best practices in water management. 

Read more about the WBCSD Water Initiative and download the current issue, Sustain: Issue #29.

The WBCSD and IBM are starting an effort in partnership with Nokia, Pitney Bowes, and Sony to make available dozens of innovative, environmentally responsible patents to the public domain.

“Availability of these patents will encourage researchers, entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes in any industry to create, apply, and further develop their consumer or industrial products, processes and services in a way that will help to protect and respect the environment.” -WBCSD Press-Release

Click here to read more about the WBCSD Eco-Patent Commons project.

The Ohio BCSD has been established as the first-ever state level BCSD partner of the US BCSD.  The organization will head the launch of an Ohio By-Product Synergy program, led by Executive Director Mike Long. 

The Center for Resilience at Ohio State University has been working with the US BCSD and other groups in Ohio to implement the BPS program.  Joseph Fiksel and several OSU faculty at the Center for Resilience have developed the Eco-Flow™ tool to evaluate business opportunities and assess the benefits provided by a BPS network. 

The progress of the By-Product Synergy program in Ohio is featured in The Center for Resilience at The Ohio State University Newsletter Winter 2008.  To read more see page 2 of the Newsletter.

The Department of Defense, through the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program, is currently seeking innovative environmental technology demonstrations as candidates for funding beginning in Fiscal Year 2009. The goal of ESTCP is to transition mature environmental science and technology projects through the demonstration and validation phase.

Detailed instructions including submission requirements, a summary of the proposal evaluation process, and the relevant topic areas are available on the ESTCP website: http://www.estcp.org/opportunities.

The Chicago Waste to Profit Network, on Thursday, November 29, 2007, was awarded Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s GreenWorks Award for Market Transformation in Green Practices.

Mayor Daley's GreenWorks Awards promote a green city by recognizing businesses, non-profits, schools and government agencies whose buildings, practices, and products or services are environmentally responsible. The GreenWorks Awards are presented bi-annually in three categories: Green Buildings, Green Practices, and Green Products. Additional consideration was given to projects with an educational or outreach component.

The Network was recognized for its contribution to transforming Chicago Industry through green practices, green education, and proving that the Waste to Profit Network is good for Chicago business, the environment and the community

Our warmest kudos to all involved in this honor, as well as for the amazing success achieved this year: 22,118 Tons of landfill bound waste diverted, 4.5 million dollars in cost savings and new revenue creation, and almost 50,000 tons of CO2 emissions reduced in Chicagoland, surpassing project goals.

The Chicago Waste to Profit Network finds new ways of transforming waste into more profitable and innovative uses. Member companies in the network are helping to improve not only their business operations, but the quality of life in the Chicago area. The City of Chicago is bringing this program to Chicago area businesses through a partnership with the United States Business Council for Sustainable Development (USBCSD) and the Chicago Manufacturing Center (CMC). The Chicago network also has a partnership with the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) in the United Kingdom, http://www.wastetoprofit.org/home.htm.