IBM Makes Earth-friendly Plastic from Plants

Walmart, Tesco Vendors Get Supply Chain Help from Five Winds

China Endorses Copenhagen Climate Accord

Three Simple Checkpoints on the Road to a Clean Energy Future

Networking the Green Economy

Don’t Sweat the Trickle of Stimulus Funds

China Winning Green Race, Says One US Venture Capitalist

US EPA Says to Ease Carbon Rules on Small Business

What does the confluence of Climategate, Pachauri and the IPPC report errors mean for business? Simply that business leaders need to take a step back, assess the risks of not acting on the climate and weigh in on the larger, politically charged strategies that are attempting to cloud the science of global warming.

In the spirit of Al Gore’s recent op-ed in the New York Times, we simply can’t wish away climate change because it is real and it is happening. This is supported by overwhelming scientific consensus from around the world.

What is critical is that businesses on a trajectory to creating programs — or entire business models — to reduce carbon emissions and advocate for cleaner energy are not deluded or wrong. They are on a more courageous path than those not taking action and are certainly more prepared for the green economy of the 21st century.

Take for instance Best Buy, who has recently joined a group of green-minded corporations that call for stronger climate change policies, greater energy efficiency and more development of renewable energy. And, companies on Corporate Knights’ Global 100 list, such as the number one ranked General Electric , are also worthy of recognition due to their serious action on climate change.

These companies are talking policy related actions to move forward renewable energy and energy efficiency and no doubt will take the current political tactics undermining the science of climate change with a grain of salt.

Certainly, the scientific community has a real social responsibility to take a public stand and it is doing it now. Not easy for a typically reclusive community. But businesses and corporate leaders also have a role: it is to voice and reinforce their support that the fundamental science behind climate change is real and that humans are causing it.

So, as Valeri Jaffe rightly says in the Earth’s Best Defense blog, cut the drama and let’s get on to what matters: new jobs and opportunities that come of a robust, green economy and a healthier planet today and for generations to come.

HP, Intel, General Mills Top List of Best Corporate Citizens

A Tall Order: Serious Materials to Retrofit the Empire State Building’s Windows

Seeing the Investor Value in Being Green

Graham’s Cap-and-Trade Pronouncement Reframes Hill Debate

Companies Cutting Carbon Despite Lack of Laws

Obama’s Speech to Business Group Leaves Greenhouse Gas Issue Up in the Air

Energy Star Awards Scores of Firms for Efficiency

Solar Plane Almost Ready for Record Flight

Europe Worried About Standstill on US Climate Bill

Why Bringing Employees on Board Helps Sustainability Projects Succeed

Scientists Hit by Climate Doubt Follow Up

Shippers Worldwide Pull Back Throttle, Cut Fuel and Emissions

British Airways to Buy Jet Fuel From City Waste

Climate: Is Copenhagen Accord Already Dead?

Electric Cars on the Move in Germany

Four Strategies to Achieve World-Class Carbon Management

Citing Recession, Arizona Backs out of WCI

Bill Gates Working to Tackle Climate Change 

Geothermal Energy May Be Available in Two Years 

Forecast on Climate Change Legislation Cloudy 

Lobbyists for US Cap-and-Trade Face Daunting Task

Climate Change Affecting Kenya’s Coffee Output

2010 Olympic Games on a Sustainable Track

Wal-Mart Canada Pushes Ahead on Sustainability

Climate Change Debate Heating Up in Deep Freeze

The Forest Footprint Disclosure Report 2009

“Smart” Power Key as EU Sparks Electric Cars Debate 

Coca-cola Hopes to Win Green at Vancouver Olympics

Energy Efficiency Gains Horsepower: The State of Green Business in 2010

 Australia Aims to Halve Agricultural Emissions

Water Pollution in China Worse than Reported

34 Percent of Execs City Economy As Impediment to Adopting Sustainability

Green Marketing in the Age of Transparency

California’s Global Warming Law Under Attack

HUD Promotes Obama’s Pitch for Sustainable Communities

Coming Together on Climate Bill

US Government to Cut GHGs by 28 Percent

US Recommits to Climate Goals

The Essential CSR Best Practices

Concern About Global Warming Continues to Drop in the US

As we reported in our Top 5 Sustainability Communications Trends for 2010, companies will continue realigning their core business values to adhere to new demands for greater transparency from stakeholders, competitors, regulators, and consumers.

Today’s Forbes/Corporate Knights ranking of the world’s 100 most sustainable companies is a key proof point for this trend, as the list shows more of the world’s largest companies are communicating sustainability proactively, transparently, and as a core business value.

The list is dominated by companies in Europe and the US that have succeeded in communicating the link between their sustainability initiatives and core strengths and values. Congratulations to to GE and PG&E for breaking the mold and achieving the number one and two rankings respectively.

Over the next 11 months, there will be more opportunities for US companies to show their wares. New 2010 sustainability rankings will be released by the Dow Jones Sustainability and FTSE4Good indices, Newsweek’s Green Rankings of the S&P 500, the Carbon Disclosure Project Leadership Index, and many others. Given the market volatility throughout 2009, noting which companies rose and fell in the rankings this past year tells us much about how sustainability factored into companies’ responses to the economic downturn.

 Submitted by Grant Draper, FD Element

New Report is a Primer on Top Sustainability Strategies

Coke Introduces Plant-Based Bottles

Carbon Traders Quit Emissions Market Amid Drop in Demand

If Poll Says ‘Yes’ to Climate Bill, Why Do Lawmakers Say ‘Maybe’?