Top 5 in 15 Categories Who Started the Year Sustainably Well

What’s best for sustainability in a troubled world? Who’s taking the most notice of the four E’s of Sustainability – Energy, Environment, Ethics and Economy?  Who’s geared up for what’s to come with a changing climate and the need to move to a low carbon economy? Who is working on the essential elements of the Blue Economy – Zero Waste; Maximising Resources; Zero Emissions and Net Positive Impact? So here’s what Ken Hickson/SASA has come up with – the top five in a total of 15  categories – with a distinct bias towards Asia – covering influential leaders, cities, countries, companies, multinationals, not for profit organisations, events and even some hold out the most promise for contributing to a Sustainable Future ahead. Read More

This was produced by Ken Hickson and initially supplied at the request of the Japanese “Environmental Business” publication by Kankyo Business Global.  

Five of the Best Sustainability Performers and those with the Most Promise for 2015 and beyond

By Ken Hickson for Environmental Business (1 January 2015):

Let’s start the year of 2015 on the right footing.

What’s best for sustainability in a troubled world? Who’s taking the most notice of the four E’s of sustainability – Energy, Environment, Ethics and Economy?

Who’s geared up for what’s to come with a changing climate and the need to move to a low carbon economy? Who is working on the essential elements of the Blue Economy – Zero Waste; Maximising Resources; Zero Emissions, No Waste to Disposal and Net Positive Impact?

This is very much a personal selection and while some of the leaders are well known and feature in various measurements and awards, like the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, other people, organisations, countries or cities I’ve rated are there because I know them very well and they are heading in the right direction.

So here’s what I’ve come up with – the top five in a number in a total of 15  categories covering influential leaders, cities, countries, companies, multinational organisations, not for profit organisations, events and even some countries and organisations  which hold most promise for contributing to a Sustainable Future.

 

1.            Top Five Sustainable Cities

Tokyo – has set very high standards in cleanliness, green buildings, with the world’s first cap and trade system for buildings; a city with resilience and readiness for a changing climate.

Taipei – world’s best practice for waste management and recycling, committed to thought leadership, green productivity and energy; open to sharing with the region and the world.

London – most sustainable and productive centre for business, conservation, culture and the arts; world’s most sustainable events (London Olympics), and leader for economy and ethics.

Singapore – a well-balanced, liveable and sustainable city with environmental factors, like water, energy, public transport under good management. Promoting energy efficiency at all levels.

New York – set some strong sustainability standards under previous Mayor Bloomberg for energy efficiency, green buildings and economic management. Maintaining vibrancy and liveability.

 

2.            Top Five Leaders in Sustainability – Inspiration and Influence

What about leadership? Who is out to impress and influence us to change our ways to make our cities, companies, countries and communities better places for us? We have steered clear of political/ government leaders to people we know who communicate well across boundaries, not afraid to speak out and make good sense.

 

John Elkington – author of many books (latest The Breakthrough Challenge), regular speaker, consultant, and change agent based in United Kingdom, but travels a lot.

 

David Suzuki – ecologist and non-stop activist for environment protection and action in Canada, who is respected and taken notice of around the world.

 

Maria Van der Hoeven – Executive Directive of International Energy Agency (IEA), and former Minister of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands, who calls for an end to fossil fuel subsidies – “the enemy of energy efficiency” – and promotes the “multi benefits of energy efficiency”.

 

Christine Lagarde – as head of the International Monetary Fund she heralds the importance of Economy and Ethics, but also stresses that Environment and Energy are game changers too.

 

Jose Ramos Horta – Nobel Peace Prize winner and first President of East Timor, still active promoting peace and sustainable development. Works with U Brain TV to spread the world.

 

3.            Top Five Events to Attend in 2015

World Future Energy Summit in Dubai – 19-22 January – Dubai

Energy from Waste – 25 -26 February – London

Sustainable Solutions for an Urban Future (ICLEI World Congress) – 8-12 April Seoul

International Conference on Business Sustainability (Blue Asia Group) – 22/23 April – Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

UNFCCC – landmark climate change action conference – 30 November -11 December – Paris

 

4.            Top Five Countries in Asia Pacific Committed to a Sustainable, Low Carbon Future

Taiwan

New Zealand

Japan

South Korea

China

 

 

5.            Top Five Global Companies showing leadership in all aspects of sustainability

BMW – leading on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the automotive sector, for getting the best electric cars on the road and setting high standards in recycling in manufacturing.

Unilever – launched its sustainability Living Plan to set some of the best examples in the world for sustainable production, consumption to benefit all – health and environment uppermost.

Interface – sets the highest standards in manufacturing with 100% renewable energy and zero waste. Recycling of dumped fishing nets into carpet tiles, working with NGOs and communities.

Lend Lease – most sustainable and driven construction industry company worldwide. Green Buildings, green productivity and Cross Laminated Timber – sustainable construction for the future.

Honda – for its sustainability commitment, and its production of hydrogen fuel cell that can power homes and cars.

 

6.            Top Five Leading Multi-National Organisations Promoting the Four E’s of Sustainability:

World Bank

International Energy Agency (IEA)

World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

Asian Productivity Organisation (APO)

International Green Purchasing Network (IGPN)

 

7.            Top Five Leading International NGOS (Non-Governmental Organisations) Effectively and Actively working in Asia Pacific:

World Resources Institute (WRI)

Nexus – carbon for development

Zoological Society of London (ZSL)

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Forum for the Future

 

8.            Top Five global consultancy and advisory firms best able to manage the Four E’s of sustainability:

DNV GL

Accenture

Corporate Citizenship

Carbon Trust

McKinsey

 

9.            Five Leading Funds, Investors and Promoters of Renewable Energy in Asia Pacific:

Asian Development Bank

ReEx Capital Asia

Armstrong Asset Management

The Blue Circle

Sindacatum

 

10.          Top Five Asia Pacific companies for Sustainable Enterprise and Leadership:

YTL (Malaysia)

CDL (Singapore)

Ricoh (Japan)

Asia Plantation Capital (Singapore)

Hitachi (Japan)

 

11.          Which Countries we predict will Step up to provide Sustainability Leadership for Asia Pacific’s Future:

Indonesia

Sri Lanka

Australia

India

Malaysia

 

12.          Which countries in Asia Pacific are taking up the clean energy challenge to speed up the switch from fossil fuel dependency?

Philippines

Vietnam

Thailand

Bangladesh

Bhutan

 

13.          Which Organisations Will Provide Sustainability Leadership in the Future for Asia Pacific?

Blue Asia Group

IPEx Cleantech Asia

Japan for Sustainability

Sustain Ability Showcase Asia (SASA)

Environment and Development Foundation (Taiwan)

 

 

14.          Who’s Most Active in Asia for Building Performance and Energy Efficiency:

BBP – Barghest Building Performance (Singapore)

TEALE (Singapore)

Energenz (Hong Kong)

Sustainable Development Capital (Hong Kong)

Envizi (Australia)

Source: www.abccarbon.com and www.kankyo-business.jp