Talking about their carbon footprint is the new conversation in board rooms throughout the corporate world. This awareness is good, but is industry overlooking their biggest sources of pollution?

 Researchers at Carnegie Mellon have tracked how companies measure their climate pollution,  and found that they're missing large parts of their "footprints."

The study's abstract, posted on CM's website, reads:

"By far, most companies are pursuing very limited footprints - toe prints really- instead of comprehensive ones," said Matthews, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and engineering and public policy at Carnegie Mellon.

In a recent article for Environmental Science & Technology, the authors report that two-thirds of U.S. industries would overlook 75 percent of their total greenhouse gas emissions if they continue to use the same tier-one or tier-two reporting boundaries. The average industry has only 14 percent of its total greenhouse gas emissions in tier one and 12 percent in tier two for a total of 26 percent.

I had suspected it! That's one of the reasons I have spent the better part of a year scouring the country and investigating thousands of companies to find those with the most sustainable supply chains and the smallest footprints. These are the companies listed on the ecobly website. Most use recycled components, which have much smaller energy intensity. Most source their materials and manufacture locally removing all that transportation pollution.

 So, when consumers see the ecobly label, they can be assured they are buying a product with a small footprint -- not just a green toe. As scrutiny of "green" claims increases, the real green stars will rise to the top!

 Join us for a cleaner, greener future!

Listen up all you green manufacturers - things are still looking positive for you, even in these troubled times. New research shows that consumers are still prioritizing eco-friendly products -- but they want to be sure it's the real deal.

A recent survey by  EnviroMedia Social Marketing and Green Seal says:

Four out of five people say they are still buying green products and services today-which sometimes cost more-even in the midst of a U.S. recession. ... Half of the 1,000 people surveyed say they are buying just as many green products now as before the economic downturn, while 19 percent say they are buying more green products. Fourteen percent say they are buying fewer environmentally green products. 

Good news! The challenge here is to (1) ensure you are reaching these consumers and (2) ensure they believe you are really "green."

There's a love-hate thang going on with "green" this year.  We have the (potentially) greenest president, Entrepreneur magazine named "green" one of the hottest trends of 2009 and many experts say green is the only bright spot in the economy. On the other hand, Lake Superior State University put "green" at the top of their 34th annual List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness.

 But don't let that hold you back! According to a recent New York Times article, companies are still going over the top to tout their eco-credentials (whether warranted or not!). Why would they put so much energy, effort and budget to make consumers think they are planet-friendly? BECAUSE IT WORKS!! 

In studies that track consumer attitudes about General Electric, Ms. Hu said, "all of our measures were up" since the campaign began, for positive attributes like the company's being "innovative, at the forefront of technology, making products that improve the quality of life, having a vision for the future, caring about the world you live in." 

 Ecobly.com companies are the greenest of the green. In a world where everyone's saying "green" -- ecobly companies can SHOUT it, and consumers can know that they are the real deal. Green companies -- don't miss this opportunity to sign up for ecobly.com! This will enable you to use the ecobly.com logo in your advertising, on the website and in all marketing materials to let consumers know you are the real deal! 

 -- Kathleen

PS - I only used "green" nine (now ten) times in this post! Just doing my part to keep it from going extinct!

There's a great column in this month's Sustainable Industries journal that summarizes the current research and information on the economic benefits of buying locally. (Read A Local Economy is a Healthy Economy.)

 Kevin Wilhelm hits the bull's eye when he writes:

Buying locally is a smart business strategy, especially over the long term, for several reasons. For starters, it contributes to a stronger economy in the communities where the business is located. Also, suppliers and consumers are demanding it because local purchasing not only reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from reduced shipping and transportation costs, but creates what famed economist John Keynes termed the "Local Multiplier Effect."

The businesses listed on ecobly.com are the best examples of this principle. Not only are they local companies with Made in the USA products, but they also source almost all of their eco-friendly materials from the local supply chain (though some do amazing things with reclaimed materials from across the country.)