Join Our Webinar: Nuclear Energy’s Role in a Net Zero Future

Date: Thursday, December 12
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
[Register Here]

The Great Lakes Carbon Collaborative invites you to explore how nuclear energy can drive us toward a net zero future. With climate change accelerating, nuclear power is emerging as a reliable, clean energy source to cut emissions.

What to Expect:

• Nuclear Energy Today: Discover nuclear's role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• Innovation in Nuclear Tech: Learn about advancements enhancing safety and efficiency.

• Energy Policy Insights: Discuss nuclear’s place in future energy strategies.

Speakers:

• Matthew Crozat, Nuclear Energy Institute

• Lora Shrake, Council of the Great Lakes Region

• Claude Griffin, US Business Council for Sustainable Development

Who Should Attend?
This session is perfect for policymakers, energy professionals, and sustainability advocates interested in nuclear energy’s role in achieving net zero.

Register Now to gain insights into nuclear power’s future in sustainable energy. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with industry leaders!

About Us:
The Great Lakes Carbon Collaborative, a partnership between CGLR and US BCSD, promotes sustainable solutions through industry and community collaboration.

Did you miss last week's webinar that provided insight into biological carbon sequestration and the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere through storage in vegetation, soil, and aquatic environments?

You can watch the recording featuring our guest speaker from ALUS, Bryan Gilvesy, HERE and download the presentation shared during the webinar HERE. 

This webinar was hosted jointly by the Council of the Great Lakes Region and the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development as part of our Great Lakes Carbon Collaborative (GLCC) initiative.

Learn more about the GLCC and how your company can get involved by clicking HERE. 

Climate change is presenting unprecedented challenges, from rising temperatures and food insecurity to increased climate-related health risks and economic disruptions. Addressing these complex issues requires innovative solutions, and one promising approach lies in harnessing the power of nature through biological carbon sequestration and agricultural nature based projects.

We are excited to invite you to an insightful webinar on September 19, where we will explore the benefits of these nature-based solutions. The event, hosted by the Great Lakes Carbon Collaborative, will feature Bryan Gilvesy, CEO of ALUS. Bryan will share his expertise on how natural carbon sequestration solutions can significantly contribute to carbon reduction targets and enhance environmental and social outcomes.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, September 19

• Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET

• Speaker: Bryan Gilvesy, CEO of ALUS

• Moderators: Lora Shrake (Council of the Great Lakes Region) and Claude Griffin (US Business Council for Sustainable Development)

• Registration: REGISTER HERE!

We’re excited to announce that Claude Griffin, Executive Director of the US BCSD, will be presenting on The Small Landowner Carbon Collaborative Project at this year’s Systems Change Conference, held on September 9th and 10th in Statesville, NC. This important event brings together key stakeholders from philanthropic, corporate, government, and environmental sectors to discuss scalable solutions for creating sustainable outcomes in our farming and food systems.

Claude’s presentation will highlight the Small Landowner Carbon Collaborative, an innovative initiative aimed at empowering small landowners to participate in carbon markets while supporting regenerative farming practices. This project is part of a broader effort to create system-wide impacts in agriculture, corporate sustainability, food as health initiatives, and supply chains.

The Systems Change Conference is a crucial gathering for thought leaders and changemakers working to develop intentional roadmaps for transformative shifts in the agricultural and food sectors. Join us as we explore how regenerative farming, sustainability, and strategic investment can drive meaningful change.

For more information about the event, visit Systems Change Conference 2024.

Teams of experts from the United States and China have begun meeting to discuss ways they can collaborate on circular economy activities that address climate change. The dialogue began in Beijing on August 21, 2024 under the direction of the US-China Climate Action Task Force.

Zhao Chenxin, vice director of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, stressed the importance of developing circular economy activities to tackle the effects of climate change. 

The initial focus is on plastics, construction materials and remanufacturing. Expert teams from both countries are identifying joint actions that will yield the greatest environmental and economic benefits. They are to deliver a set of recommendations in October.

The founder of the United States Business Council for Sustainable Development (US BCSD), Andrew Mangan, was asked by the US State Department to join as an expert on remanufacturing. US BCSD colleagues Rui He and Lily Stanton were also invited to participate in the effort. Mr. Mangan was selected to participate due to his experience establishing the Materials Marketplace, a cloud-based platform that facilitates material reuse among businesses, government agencies, universities and other organizations. 

The US-China circular economy initiative is an outgrowth of the Sunnylands Statement made by President Xi Jinping and President Joseph R. Biden in Bali, Indonesia in November 2023 in which they reaffirmed their commitment to work jointly to address the climate crisis.

About the US BCSD 

The US BCSD is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit business association that harnesses the power of collaborative projects, platforms and partnerships to develop, deploy and scale solutions to ecosystems, energy, materials carbon, and water challenges. For more information visit http://usbcsd.org/

Contact
Claude Griffin
Executive Director 
US Business Council for Sustainable Development
griffin@usbcsd.org

USBCSD Founder Andy Mangan and Executive Director Claude Griffin joined FOX TV’s Market Makers Program to dive into the critical role of sustainability in business. They discussed the growing need for sustainable business practices, and outlined how the US Business Council for Sustainable Development is empowering companies to achieve their sustainability goals.

Find out more about joining the USBCSD here.

Our Executive Director, Claude Griffin, shares his advice for companies who want to become more environmentally conscious

USBCSD founder Andy Mangan explains why sustainability is not a financial liability

Learn how the Business Council can help your organization

The Business Council values equity in sustainability—listen to Executive Director, Claude Griffin, discuss our new equity program and partnership with BCarbon and Prairie View A&M

Joint venture agreement announcement between Entergy and NextEra Energy Resources to develop up to 4.5 GW of solar energy storage projects that represents the continued commitment to pursue low cost, renewable energy across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Read more

On April 23, Andy Mangan took the stage at the EarthX conference to share his expertise on the groundbreaking US BCSD Small Landowners Carbon Collaborative Project (SLCC). The EarthX Expo is the world's largest green gathering held annually around Earth Day in Dallas, Texas.

The Small Landowners Carbon Collaborative Project (SLCC) is a collaborative effort aimed at harnessing the potential of small landowners in joining forces to qualify for carbon credits. Through this project, these often-overlooked stakeholders are empowered to contribute meaningfully to carbon sequestration efforts, thereby playing a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

One highlight of the day was Mangan's interview with renowned Dutch journalist Jurriaan Kamp, conducted within the EarthX studio. Their conversation provided valuable insights into the nuances of the SLCC, shedding light on its significance in the larger context of environmental stewardship.

Stay tuned for more updates on the SLCC project and for Andy’s EarthX interview footage coming soon.

Join us this summer as The Council of the Great Lakes Region, in partnership with the Toronto Region Board of Trade, hosts the Great Lakes Sustainable Growth Forum, taking place in Toronto from June 25-27, 2024.

Since its inception in 2015, the annual conference has emerged as a premier platform for leaders across business, government, academia, and nonprofits to convene. Together, we’ll tackle the most pressing socioeconomic and environmental challenges confronting the Great Lakes region.

This year's event promises dynamic discussions and innovative solutions as we explore ways to strengthen the region's long-term success and sustainable development. With a focus on cross-border and cross-sector collaboration, we're poised to drive impactful change. Don't miss the opportunity to hear from esteemed speakers, including Claude Griffin from the US Business Council for Sustainable Development

Click here to register!

On April 12, 2024, Prairie View A&M University hosted a gathering of leaders and innovators dedicated to advancing sustainability within various business and education sectors. The annual event, organized by the US Business Council for Sustainable Development, served as a dynamic platform for strategic planning, project updates, community engagement, and invaluable networking opportunities.

We look forward to continuing the tradition in 2025 and will continue to lean on the power of partnership and collective action in addressing today's most pressing sustainability challenges.

Introducing Carbon Markets 101: An engaging and informative video series developed by BCarbon, a non-profit carbon credit registry and research group. This series is designed to demystify the complex world of carbon credits and to outline the significance of carbon credits for small landowners, buyers and beyond.

In this series, BCarbon will delve into essential questions like: What exactly are carbon credits? How are they created, bought, and sold? And most importantly, why do they matter for you as a landowner and how can you get engaged?

The topics: 

• The Context: Carbon and Climate

• The Basics: What is a Carbon Credit?

• The Methods: How does Nature-Based Carbon Sequestration work?

• The Rules: What are Protocols and Registries?

• The Importance: Why Do People Want to Buy Carbon Credits? 

Thanks for watching, and please don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions.

The US Business Council for Sustainable Development (US BCSD) Annual Meeting will take place at Prairie View A&M University on April 12, 2024.

The annual meeting will include interactive presentations, project updates, community engagement activities, and networking opportunities. We would love to have you join us, and encourage you to share within your networks.

Specific agenda items to include:

• Strategic Planning Review

• Carbon Collaborative Updates

• Energy Transition

• Hydrogen

• CCUS

• Small Landowner Carbon Collaborative

• Carbon Forestry Credits

• Micro Nuclear Plant Developments

• PVAMU Transportation Institute

• PVAMU Carbon Utilization Redesign through Biomanufacturing-empowered (CURB)

• Community Engagement

• Green ICU

• PVAMU College of Engineering Tour

Register Here

A third of the Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the binational Great Lakes region, the economic engine of North America. In a region that is guardian to one of the world’s largest freshwater systems, one that holds 20% of earth’s surface freshwater, environmental stewardship and corporate sustainability is a responsibility and an expectation. 

But how do we know that companies in our communities are implementing global best practices and adhering to the highest standards that will help protect our Great Lakes? And how can businesses, both big and small, build trust and communicate their commitments on sustainability and climate action?

Transparent reporting of environmental impacts, including carbon emissions, is a critical element of consumer trust and a growing requirement of governments across the globe, and sustainability reporting standards can help companies understand and communicate their economic, environmental, and social impacts.

In the March 2024 webinar, co-hosted by CGLR and USBCSD as part of our Great Lakes Carbon Collaborative, we will hear from GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), an independent, international organization that sets standards and creates a global common language for impact reporting that fosters transparency, organizational accountability, and informed decision-making to advance sustainable development in the interest of all. The GRI Standards are the world's most widely used standards for sustainability reporting and are used by 78% of the world's largest companies.

During this one-hour webinar, we’ll hear about GRI’s approach to developing standards and how the reporting standards are helping companies communicate transparently. GRI will discuss the two-pillar reporting system and their role in the current sustainability and ESG disclosure landscape, as well as update us on new Climate Change and Energy Topic Standards revisions. If you are wanting to better understand and communicate your organization’s impact, including impact on climate change, be sure to register for this informative event.

Small acreage and minority landowners have limited means of protecting and managing their natural resources as well as contributing to sustainability efforts that would create a brighter future for not only them, but also generations to come. However, grants and other resources are available to help underserved farming communities bridge the gap between funding and implementation of nature-based greenhouse gas reduction methods, and that is exactly what a new collaborative aims to achieve.

The Small Landowners Carbon Collaborative is a partnership between BCarbon, a nonprofit carbon registry and climate research center, Prairie View A&M University and U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development. Representatives of these groups recently met at sites in East Texas to network and put momentum behind the initiative.

“Putting boots on the ground and meeting with landowners and members of this collaborative really put into perspective how important farmland, no matter how big or small, is to a sustainable future,” said Claude Griffin, USBCSD executive director. “We’re looking forward to seeing the positive results this collaborative can yield for small acreage and minority landowners in East Texas and for overall local sustainability efforts.”

Forests, soil and other natural resources can aid in carbon storage, making it critical that farmland is protected, healthy and resilient. As part of this initiative, the collaborative will help small acreage and minority landowners access and better understand complex carbon markets to diversify their finances and strengthen their operations over the long-term. In addition, the collaborative will help landowners introduce nature-based greenhouse gas reduction methods that will allow them to generate carbon credits (another potential stream of revenue) and contribute to local sustainability efforts.

While Prairie View A&M will leverage its Cooperative Extension Program network to perform outreach to landowners, USBCSD will tap into its network of industry stakeholders to develop a minority landowner program and, ultimately, help the collaborative reach its goals. And for its part, BCarbon, with the assistance from Prairie View A&M, will support the initial design of a business cooperative, or the grouping of small acreage and minority landowners, that is better positioned to participate in carbon markets and take advantage of carbon credit opportunities. The collaborative’s efforts are largely being supported by a Bia-Echo Foundation grant that was announced in July.

The U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development (US BCSD) is excited to announce its participation in the upcoming public planning workshop hosted by the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment (E&E). The event, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at the Gov. Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff, marks another step toward fostering innovation and opportunities in the state’s power sector.

E&E and its collaborative partners are dedicated to creating a comprehensive Arkansas Energy and Environment Innovation (EEI) plan. This plan is not only focused on pioneering sustainable practices but also aimed at empowering state and local government agencies to compete for more than $4 billion in federal funding available through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The US BCSD recognizes the importance of this initiative and eagerly joins the conversation to contribute to sustainable and innovative solutions in the power sector.

The public workshop, which runs from 12-5 p.m. is designed to be an inclusive platform for various stakeholders. Attendees can look forward to engaging presentations and stimulating breakout discussions. This event is not just about discussing ideas; it’s about taking concrete steps towards shaping a more sustainable and environmentally responsible power sector for the state of Arkansas.

The US BCSD is honored to be part of this significant endeavor and looks forward to working closely with all stakeholders to drive innovation and progress in the power sector. We believe that the collaboration between industry leaders, government agencies and environmental advocates is essential in achieving these goals.

To learn more about the upcoming workshop, visit: https://ee.arkansas.gov/news-post/meeting-scheduled-to-discuss-arkansas-focused-innovation-plans-2/.

Houston, October 3, 2023 – The US Business Council for Sustainable Development has joined Houston Methodist Center for Critical Care to launch the Green ICU (Intensive Care Unit) Initiative. 

Goals of the Green ICU Initiative include cutting carbon emissions, establishing systematic material reuse, and implementing collaborative solutions by engaging partners throughout the Greater Houston area. 

The carbon footprint of the U.S. healthcare system is estimated to be 10% of national greenhouse gas (GHG) production. The carbon footprint of a U.S. hospital added up to 300 lbs. CO2-e per bed day for ICU patients – equivalent to emissions of a car driven about 600 miles per patient per day.

Initial Green ICU activity has centered on quantifying materials flowing in and out of the ICU. The team has also begun working with representatives of the ASTM Sustainability Committee (E60) and its medical subcommittee on standards for ICUs.

While green ICUs have been a focus for healthcare in other countries including Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, this appears to be the first of its kind in the United States. Leaders such as Dr. Heather Baid from Brighton University in the UK, Dr. Lousie Trent in New Zealand and Dr. Jean Louise Vincent from Brussels have also agreed to share best practices and join this emerging collaborative for sustainability in the ICU. 

We are very proud and excited to announce our receipt of The Innovative Diversity and Carbon Credit Grant from the Bia Echo Foundation! Read more here.

On May 31st from 1-2 pm ET, The US Business Council of Sustainable Development and The Council of The Great Lakes Region will be hosting a webinar on “The Overlooked Link of a True Net Zero Strategy – Efficiency and Technology." Event speaker, Brandi Nye, Managing Director of Business Solutions, at AEP Energy will walk through energy efficiency measures and technologies that are often overlooked due to their technical and sophisticated nature. Innovative energy technologies can help organizations reach their net-zero goals while reducing costs and the burden of securing scarce renewable energy resources. Attendees will gain an understanding of solutions and execution strategies to enhance their net-zero objectives. The event will be moderated by Lora Shrake, Senior Program Director, Business and Sustainability, Council of the Great Lakes Region and Claude Griffin, Executive Director, US Business Council for Sustainable Development. Click the link to read more about the webinar and register to attend! https://councilgreatlakesregion.org/webinar-may-31-the-overlooked-link-of-a-true-net-zero-strategy-efficiency-and-technology/

TORONTO, Ontario and HOUSTON, Texas, September 29, 2021 – The United States Business Council for Sustainable Development (US BCSD), a leading business and sustainability association, today announced a strategic partnership with the bi-national Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR). The relationship will focus on developing and implementing a new initiative called the Great Lakes Carbon Collaborative (GLCC), which will be officially launched on October 29th.

Built to facilitate cross-sector engagement across sectors, customers, and suppliers up and down the value stream, the GLCC, modeled on the US BCSD’s successful Gulf Coast Carbon Collaborative, will be driven by business and focused on developing and implementing initiatives that reduce carbon emissions across the economy while minimizing business impacts.

“By bringing interested companies, research institutes, NGOs and governments together, we will accelerate decarbonization activity in the Great Lakes region,” said Andy Mangan, Executive Director of the US BCSD.

The bi-national Great Lakes region is North America’s economic engine and the core of the long-standing, fully-integrated economic relationship between the United States and Canada, making the region, which is home to 107 million people and has a combined GDP of US$6.0 trillion, an ideal place for both countries to come together to discuss shared decarbonization interests and solutions.

“There’s tremendous industrial activity in the bi-national Great Lakes Region and companies are more motivated than ever to reduce carbon emissions,” said Mark Fisher, President and CEO of CGLR. “That’s why CGLR is very excited to be joining forces with the US BCSD to launch the Great Lakes Carbon Collaborative because businesses need a regional forum to learn about different decarbonization strategies, techniques, and ways they can work together to drive greater carbon reduction.”

About the US BCSD

The US BCSD is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit business association that harnesses the power of collaborative projects, platforms and partnerships to develop, deploy and scale solutions to ecosystems, energy, materials carbon, and water challenges. For more information visit https://usbcsd.org/.

About the CGLR

CGLR is a binational network of organizations comprising CGLR Canada, CGLR USA (501c6) and the CGLR Foundation (501c3). It is dedicated to creating stronger, more dynamic regional collaborations through dialogue, policy research and programs, and advocacy to find new ways of harnessing the Great Lakes region’s economic strengths and assets, improving the well-being and livelihoods of the region’s citizens, and protecting the environment for future generations. Visit CGLR on the Internet at https://councilgreatlakesregion.org/.

Contact

Claude Griffin
Program Director
US Business Council for Sustainable Development
griffin@usbcsd.org

Lora Shrake
Program Manager - Business and Sustainability
Council of the Great Lakes Region
lora@councilgreatlakesregion.org

New circular economy program connects businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs to develop and scale reuse and recycling market opportunities

Tacoma, Wash., August 5, 2021 - The City of Tacoma, Seattle Good Business Network, and the US Business Council for Sustainable Development today announced the launch of a new program that allows for circular reuse of products and materials that might otherwise be destined for disposal in landfills. Through the Washington Materials Marketplace, traditional and non-traditional waste streams are matched with new reuse and recycling opportunities that result in landfill diversion, carbon reduction, cost savings, energy savings, and new job opportunities. This platform will aid both public and private sectors in reaching our region’s climate action and equity goals.This approach to enhancing recycling and reuse is quite different from previous approaches.

• The Washington Materials Marketplace's online platform is actively facilitated, which means activity is monitored and reuse opportunities are identified and pushed to relevant companies as recommendations. If the parties involved need assistance or an opportunity stalls, the platform is there to step in and facilitate movement.

• It is easy to use. Users can post materials and engage other parties without taking too much time. The application is mobile-friendly and will alert users when there is activity on their posted material.

• Today, more companies than ever are under pressure to show progress toward sustainability goals and to engage with community partners and collaborative solutions. The Washington Materials Marketplace helps companies accomplish goals and report successes.

• It is inclusive. Programming will include circular product design and redesign workshops, technical assistance and 1:1 consultation to also include support for BIPOC- and women-owned businesses and micro enterprises.

The Washington Materials Marketplace joins other regional Materials Marketplace initiatives, including programs in Austin, Tennessee, Ohio, Ontario, and Michigan. This hybrid approach allows for deep engagement with Washington-specific challenges and opportunities, and to facilitate interaction at the national scale when appropriate.

To date, the Materials Marketplace program nationally has helped divert over 17 million pounds of material to higher and better use, generating over $1.6 million in value to participating businesses and organizations. Unique transactions include unleaded CRT glass going into tile manufacturing, reuse of business furniture and fixtures, and reuse of high-volume off-spec or unneeded chemicals. The Washington Materials Marketplace is free to join for companies and organizations in Washington and was funded through a grant from the Washington Department of Ecology. For more information and to request an invitation, visit https://washington.materialsmarketplace.org

About the City of Tacoma

Located on the land of the Puyallup Tribe and birthplace of world renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly, Tacoma is home to a vibrant, creative community of writers, artists and musicians, photographers, filmmakers, passionate entrepreneurs and business owners. This city of over 200,000 is experiencing unprecedented growth. With more than $1 billion being invested in downtown Tacoma alone, private investment has surpassed public investment by a nearly 4:1 ratio. With sweeping mountain, city and water views, urbanites and families alike gravitate toward Tacoma’s charming neighborhoods with big city amenities. Founded in 1918, the Port of Tacoma provides nearly $3 billion in economic activity, moving goods from all corners of Washington and the United States through the Tideflats to people all over the world. Tacoma is a city on the rise.

About the Seattle Good Business Network

Seattle Good Business Network is a coalition of residents, local businesses, non-profits, and municipal organizations. Its mission is to connect and inspire people to buy, produce, and invest locally, so that everyone has a meaningful stake in the local economy. Founded in 2010, its economic development programming is designed to build an economy that is vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive. Programs include Good Food Economy, that works to strengthen local food systems and supply chains; Good Food Kitchens, supporting community kitchens and local farms in providing meals to communities in-need; Seattle Restaurant Week; and Seattle Made, a collaborative program supporting over 650 urban manufacturers and producers, in addition to youth workforce development, and sustainability, and circular economy initiatives. Learn more at seattlegood.org

About the US BCSD

The US BCSD is an action-oriented and member-led nonprofit business association, founded in 1992 to give leading US businesses a platform to mobilize boots on the ground and work together to design, implement and scale sustainability solutions. Business-led platforms, projects and partnerships are helping leading companies scale solutions to ecosystems, cities, circular economy and water challenges. Since 2014, the US BCSD’s Circular Economy platform has led development of the Materials Marketplace - an award-winning regional and national platform that connects businesses to develop and scale new reuse and recycling market opportunities. Manufacturers are using the Marketplace to source materials and find new solutions for challenging wastes and by-products, recycling companies are uncovering new customers and end-markets, and entrepreneurs are using the program as an innovation platform to build new reuse and recycling businesses. Learn more at https://usbcsd.org.