SB NOW Introduction

1. SB NOW Introduction • Educationalprogramming and business networking 501(3)c non-profit organization founded on Corporate Responsibility principles and promoting the inter-relationship of the Triple Bottom Line (3Ps): Planet, People, and Profit • Have over 300 members ranging from start-ups to multibillion dollar, publically traded companies.

2. SB NOW Introduction (continued) • Formed in 2004 to meet two growing sustainability needs in the Greater Washington Community: • Provide a network and educational platform for sustainable businesses and organizations; and • Help businesses and organizations become sustainable; this led to the partnership with SB NOW member Eco-Coach to begin creating the “Essential Guide to Greening and Certifying your Business” and a formal certification program almost two years ago. • First Phase of the Pilot is complete, Downtown DC. WBJ Article last Friday.

3. How ‘Green’ is your company today? Companies are Going Green Source: 2007, Rackspace Managed Hosting

4. Why go Green? Companies are Going Green (continued) Source: 2007, Rackspace Managed Hosting Source: Rackspace Managed Hosting

5. How ‘Green’ do you expect to be in 5 years? Companies are Going Green (continued) Source: Rackspace Managed Hosting

6. Consumers Increasingly Expect Companies to be Green Americans consider the environmental impacts of their purchasing “Green Gap Survey,” Cone LLC, 2008

7. Consumers Increasingly Expect Companies to be Green (continued) Americans' personal behavior as it relates to the impact of their consumption on the environment “Green Gap Survey,” Cone LLC, 2008

8. Consumers Increasingly Expect Companies to be Green (continued) Factors influencing Americans’ purchase of environmentally friendly products/services “Green Gap Survey,” Cone LLC, 2008

9. Consumers Increasingly Expect Companies to be Green (continued) Americans’ beliefs about companies’ Green messaging “Green Gap Survey,” Cone LLC, 2008

10. Recent Results of the BSR/Cone 2008 Corporate Responsibility in a New World Study BSR/Cone conducted a survey of Corporate Responsibility Professional to gauge their attitudes and expectations on issues related to responsible leadership amid the historic U.S. Presidential election and the current global economic turmoil. Survey’s highlights: • 67% of those surveyed said that the most important leadership role the president-elect should play to advance the CR Agenda around the world was to promote major investments in renewable energy and carbon capture and storage technologies, while 53% said that he should take measurable steps toward progress on effective, efficient, and fair global climate change mitigation strategies. • 94% of respondents expected increased government regulation of corporate responsibility-related issues and 86% expected regulation in the area of global climate change. • 72% percent agreed there will be more demands on business to solve societal problems, and more than half are confident that business will meet these demands.

11. Importance of Going Green:People • Decreased staff absenteeism and improved health • Increased productivity • Increased retention • Attract top talent • Local examples: Arnold & Porter and AARP • The estimated potential annual savings and productivity gains from better indoor environments in the US are: • $6 billion -$14 billion from reduced respiratory disease • $1 billion- $4 billion from reduced allergies and asthma • $10 billion - $30 billion from reduced "sick building" syndrome symptoms • $20 billion -- $160 billion from direct improvements in worker performance unrelated to health Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory

12. Importance of Going Green: Planet • Reduce carbon footprint • Conserve nonrenewable resources • Minimize or eliminate contribution to chemicals in water and soil • Decrease waste going to landfills • Buildings in the US account for 40% of all energy use and greenhouse gas emissions • Small businesses account for half of all commercial and industrial energy consumption Center for Small Business and the Environment

13. Importance of Going Green:Profit • Reduced energy bills • Reduced water utility bills • Improved brand image • Reduced insurance costs and liability risks • Local example: The Willard Hotel saved over half a million dollars per year after changing to LCDs. • Reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency can result in savings of up 15-30%. • Swiss RE, one of the world’s largest re-insurers, is threatening to deny coverage to organizations that do not have a plan in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

14. SB NOW Green Business Certification Details • 6 categories of evaluation: • Water Conservation and Quality • Energy Efficiency and Climate Action • Environmentally Friendly Procurement • Waste Reduction and Recycling • Pollution Prevention • Training & Education • Opportunity for innovative measures • Tips, background information and samples provided

15. Green Business Certification Details(continued) • 4 potential levels of certification: Allowing for evolving standards and organizational development (from lowest to highest): • Green Advocate (40%) • Green Steward (50%) • Green Guardian (60%) • Green Pillar (75%) • Two-year certification • Program in Phase II of the Pilot, some participating companies include Washington Gas, AARP, Cardinal Bank, Calvert Group, and Community IT Innovators. • Will be made available to the public through a formal launch in 2nd Quarter 2009.

16. Contact Us Pamela S. Skarda Executive Director Sustainable Business Network of Washington (SB NOW)(telephone: 202-370-1333 *email: pskarda@sbnow.org www.sbnow.org