The Sustainable MBA: The Manager’s Guide to Green Business

Author: Giselle Weybrecht

ISBN: 978-0-470-74114-6

Hardcover; 416 pages

Published in November 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Recommended Retail Price: US$34.95 / S$62.01

Available at all major bookstores

Book Review

The Sustainable MBA is for managers and business leaders who wish to learn and apply sustainable practices in their business. The author introduces green trends, explains various aspects of greening businesses, and shares a wide range of concepts, tools and guidelines.

The book is organized like a typical MBA programme with the coverage of core topics such as:

• Accounting
• Economics
• Entrepreneurship
• Ethics and corporate governance
• Finance
• Marketing
• Operations
• Organizational behaviour
• Strategy

This is a comprehensive book that would give you a good overview of sustainability practices and tips on how to green your business.

Promotion for Green Business Times Readers

Readers in Singapore can now buy the book from John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd at a 20% discount from 9 Feb 2010 to 9 Mar 2010.

1. Place your order to this email address: csd_ord@wiley.com or call: +65 6463 4604

2. Quote the ISBN of the book title

3. Quote the 4 digit promotion code to be entitled to the 20% discount – Promo Code 2465

How Nokia and TES-AMM Recycles Old Mobile Phones

Green Business Times went for a site visit recently to check out how Nokia and its e-waste vendor, TES-AMM (Singapore) Pte Ltd, collects and recycles old mobile phones.

Nokia has the largest voluntary mobile phone recycling scheme worldwide, with takeback and collection facilities in over 5,000 Nokia Care Centres across 85 countries.

In Singapore, Nokia currently has collection points in all Nokia Care Centres at Wheelock Place, Century Square, Parkway Parade, Causeway Point and Suntec City. Take back facilities are also available in NUS, NTU, SMU, Nanyang Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, St Margaret Secondary, St Hilda Primary and Secondary, and Saint Andrew JC.

In July 2008, Nokia launched the deployment of the Nokia Recycling Kiosks (NRK), which are automated recycling kiosks, in Malaysia and Singapore. Nokia is also running the ‘Recycle A Phone & Adopt A Tree’ program in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. With every phone sent for recycling, customers will receive a tree in their name planted under the NEWTrees initiative. This is a collaboration between Nokia, WWF Indonesia and Equinox Publishing, and Nokia has committed funds towards the planting of 100,000 trees in Indonesia.

In Singapore, Nokia is working with TES-AMM to recycle raw materials from the mobile phones collected. The raw materials recovery rate at TES-AMM is as high as 99%. Many different materials and precious metals can be recycled from mobile phones and made into new products, including:

• Plastic: Plastic is largely used on the covers and external parts of a mobile device. They are turned into plastic pallets to be used in warehousing.
• Stainless Steel: This is used on external detailing phone covers and some internal components. It can be recycled and used again in all sorts of products from mobile devices, to kitchen kettles, ovens and in bicycle frames.
• Copper: Copper is used in a mobile phone’s circuitry and printed wiring boards. It can be recycled into copper pipes or to make musical instruments.
• Gold: Small amounts of gold are used in a mobile phone to coat connectors and electrical surfaces. It can be recycled and used again in other mobile and electronic devices, dental fillings or to make jewellery.
• Platinum: This is used in the electrical components of a mobile phones. It can be reclaimed and used in catalytic convertors for passenger cars, for equipment, dental filling or in jewellery.
• Cobalt and lithium salt: These rare earth metals are recovered from recycled batteries and are re-made into lithium ion batteries.

Here are some photos taken during the site visit at TES-AMM’s recycling facility:

Mobile phone recycling

Manual dismantling of old mobile phones

Sorting of components

Crushing of circuit boards and sieving

Ferrous metal separation

Crushed circuit boards

Crushed circuit boards undergo hammer mill and electrostatic separation to get:

Fibrous powder (for making plastic pallets)

Metal powder (contains 60-70% copper)

Fibrous powder and other waste plastics used to make plastic pallets by heat extrusion

Chemical processes to extract gold from components

Gold melting

Li-ion battery recycling

Seminar on Low Carbon Growth

Green Business Times was invited to the seminar on Low Carbon Growth yesterday. The seminar was organised by the British High Commission to discuss about high growth through low carbon means, with a focus on energy efficiency. The keynote address was presented by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, which describes Singapore’s challenges, strategies and opportunities for climate change.

At the seminar, there were also the launch of a new website and a new film. Eco-Business.com is a new website by Jessica Cheam, offering news on the environment and climate change issues for Asia Pacific’s business community, and supported by the British High Commission and Singapore Environment Council.

The new film, High Stakes, was based on the Asian Development Bank’s recent report and presents the economics of climate change in Southeast Asia and highlights the actions needed for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Speakers presented on the following topics:

• High Growth Potential Using Low Carbon Means by Mr Suphachol Suphachalasai, Economist, Asian Development Bank
• Energy Efficiency – Business Opportunities Across Asia Pacific by Mr Frederick Crampe, Managing Director, ReEx Capital Asia
• CARE for Energy Efficiency – a programmatic CDM project by Mr William Pazos, Managing Director of Standard Bank and Mr Kes Shotam, Senior Managing Director, Climate Resources Exchange
• Developing Energy Efficiency in Singapore by Mr Lee Eng Lock, General Manager, Energy Division, Trane Singapore
• Scaling UP Ultra-Efficient Systems and Buildings by Mr Thomas Hartman, Founder, The Hartman Company, USA

Mr Suphachalasai emphasised that Southeast Asia should play an important part in working towards global action on climate change, given the high stakes involved and the vulnerabilities in this region. There is also a need for strengthening policy and planning coordination among the different ministries and levels of government.

Mr Crampe discussed about a report on the business guide to energy efficiency in Asia Pacific. The report studied 12 Asia Pacific countries and ranked them by which country provided the most conducive environments for energy efficiency projects and with the most business opportunities. China ranked first in being the most conducive, followed by India, Philippines and Singapore. He also highlighted the barriers to financing energy efficiency, including: low priority for end-users; small ESCO (energy service companies) industry; and the lack of commercial interest from financial institutions.

Mr Pazos and Mr Shotam shared the new programme of activities (POA) being developed under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which allows building owners and facility owners to participate together in a single programme of activities to improve the energy efficiency of their chiller plants and produce carbon credits.

Mr Lee is at his usual controversial best (in the good sense) to point out that green buildings are not necessarily energy efficient, and shared some mistakes of buildings in terms of how they locate cooling towers, not having enough measurements and monitoring, oversizing chiller units, using an inefficient technology, etc. He emphasised the need for governments to ask for energy specifications better than the current standards when awarding tenders, and to put in place specific targets and punishments if the targets are not met.

Mr Hartman discussed about the impediments to achieving ultra-efficient buildings, which includes: energy costs are not a major factor in the economics of most buildings; utilities continue to focus on increased energy sales to meet financial goals; and there is little accountability for achieving and maintaining efficient energy performance in buildings. He concluded with suggestions to upscale building efficiency: develop standards for building energy use that can be verified monthly for utility bill info; provide preferential rates to those who meet the standards and provide excess use charges to those whose use is well above the standards; and to create a fund from the excess use charges to assist in improving inefficient buildings.

New Book on CSR for Sustainability and Success

The new book “CSR for Sustainability and Success” by Singapore Compact was launched during the International Singapore Compact CSR Summit held last week. The book features the CSR journey and experiences of 10 local and global companies with operations in Singapore.

The 10 companies (listed below) are in the following industries: food and beverage, retail, financial services, telecommunications, property development and management, construction, steel and energy.

• Cerebos Pacific Limited
• Citi
• City Developments Limited
• Holcim (Singapore) Pte Ltd
• NatSteel Holdings Pte Ltd
• NTUC Fairprice Co-operative Limited
• PowerSeraya Ltd
• SembCorp Industries Limited
• Shell Group of Companies
• Singapore Telcommunications Limited

In the book, each company shares its insight on adopting CSR – the company’s motivation, process, programmes, results, impacts, challenges and opportunities during the CSR journey. The business case for CSR was mentioned by the companies and they find that CSR provides business opportunities and is critical to business success.

The book also highlights 3 key challenges and suggests what can be done for each challenge:

1. Getting Started

Companies may face a lack of understanding and knowledge on CSR, lack of interest within the organisation and by stakeholders, and also resource constraints to get started.

Some solutions:

• Form a cross-functional CSR working group with commitment and leadership from top management
• Refer to relevant national programmes and policies, and what other companies are doing in the same industry
• Define what is important to the company and stakeholders, and form clear targets and milestones
• Discuss and develop the CSR policy and strategy at the department and group levels

2. Operationalising CSR

Companies may find it difficult to translate vision and mission into CSR policies and actions throughout the company and stakeholders.

Some solutions:

• Require top management to lead, drive change and be role models
• Ensure perseverance to embed policies and practices across the organisation
• Have clear roles and responsibility and a reporting structure
• Include tools, policies and processes for stakeholders to act
• Include measures and channels to communicate and engage with stakeholders

3. Sustaining the CSR Journey

Companies may find it difficult to maintain management commitment, employee awareness and buy-in, meet the needs and expectations of diverse stakeholders, ensuring focused efforts and measuring impacts.

Some solutions:

• Emphasize the importance of ongoing engagement and sharing of info among employees and stakeholders
• Educate, involve and empower stakeholders in the CSR and sustainability journey

If your company or organisation is starting on your CSR journey, this book gives useful examples and case studies on CSR strategies, policies and practices based on the Singapore context.

The Green Business Times Guide to 30 Singapore Government Funding and Incentives for the Environment

Singapore is well-known as a clean and green city with the government striving for environmental sustainability while growing the economy. The government has also identified Environmental and Water Technologies (EWT) including Clean Energy as strategic areas where Singapore has a competitive edge and which could generate future economic growth.

To accelerate the growth of the environmental industry and to maintain Singapore’s image as a clean and green city, the government has initiated several funding and incentive schemes related to energy efficiency, clean energy, green buildings, water and environmental technologies, green transport, waste minimisation, environmental management system, environmental initiatives, clean development mechanism, and green IT.

The funding and incentive schemes are provided by government agencies such as:

• Building and Construction Authority (BCA)
• Economic Development Board (EDB)
• Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA)
• Land Transport Authority (LTA)
• National Environment Agency (NEA)
• National Parks Board (NParks)
• PUB, the national water agency (PUB)
• SPRING Singapore (SPRING)
• Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

To help businesses understand what’s available, we have compiled a list of 30 government funding and incentives for the environment:

1. Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance Scheme (EASe)
2. Grant for Energy Efficient Technologies (GREET)
3. Accelerated Depreciation Tax Allowance
4. Design for Efficiency Scheme (DfE)
5. SCEM Training Grant
6. Clean Energy Research and Testbedding Programme (CERT)
7. Clean Energy Research Programme (CERP)
8. Solar Capability Scheme (SCS)
9. Market Development Fund
10. Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings (GMIS-EB)
11. Green Mark Incentive Scheme for New Buildings (GMIS-NB)
12. Green Mark Gross Floor Area Incentive Scheme (GM-GFA)
13. MND Research Fund for the Built Environment
14. Pilot Incentive Scheme for Green Roofs
15. Gross Floor Area Incentives for Outdoor Refreshment Area on Rooftops
16. Water Efficiency Fund (WEF)
17. Fast-Track Environmental and Water Technologies Incubator Scheme (Fast-Tech)
18. Technology Pioneer (TechPioneer) Scheme
19. Incentive for Research and Innovation Scheme (IRIS)
20. Environmental Technology Capability Development Programme (EnviroTech CDP)
21. Innovation Voucher Scheme
22. Innovation for Environmental Sustainability (IES) Fund
23. Land Transport Innovation Fund (LTIF)
24. Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR)
25. 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Fund
26. Environment Technology Research Programme (ETRP)
27. Local Enterprise Technical Assistance Scheme (LETAS)
28. 3P Partnership Fund
29. Clean Development Mechanism Documentation Grant
30. Infocomm Leadership and Development Programme (iLEAD)

If we missed out any funding or incentive scheme, do let us know. Thanks! Read more

Eco-Friendly Wet Cleaning by Green N Clean Laundry

Green N Clean Laundry is the first laundry business in Singapore that uses wet cleaning to replace dry cleaning for washing delicate garments.

Wet cleaning is a solvent-free method to clean garments and uses specialised machines to safely clean garments in water, instead of using solvents as in the dry cleaning method. Wet cleaning is better for the environment and safer for operators and consumers.

Here’s a short news coverage on Green N Clean Laundry:

Wet cleaning uses water and non-toxic soaps, and can safely clean virtually any garments, from silk dresses to wool suits. It is more eco-friendly and safer since the water and biodegradable soaps can be discharged into the sewers after washing.

On the other hand, dry cleaning uses a petroleum-based solvent called perchorethylene (PERC). PERC vapors can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat or skin, and long-term exposure causes cancer in laboratory animals and is considered a possible human carcinogen by the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency.

In Singapore,  spent PERC cannot be discharged into the sewers and is controlled as toxic waste. It is also mandatory for dry cleaner operators to undergo health checks once every six months.

In addition, dry cleaning also uses more energy as in a dry cleaning machine, the solvent is recycled after cleaning the garment and used for the next load of garments. The recycling process is done by frequent distillation of the soiled solvent and energy is needed to boil and evaporate the solvent and to condense the gaseous solvent back to clean liquid solvent.

We support the efforts of businesses that are willing to change their mindsets and use more environmentally friendly processes, and we encourage the switch to wet cleaning for health and environmental benefits.

For more info on the wet cleaning method, prices and locations, visit the Green N Clean Laundry website at http://www.gnclaundry.com/index.php.

Source and image credit: Green N Clean Laundry

Standard Chartered @ Changi Awarded Environmental Platinum Green Mark Certification

This is a press release from Standard Chartered Bank.

Standard Chartered @ Changi awarded Environmental Platinum Green Mark Certification

Features first-of-its-kind endangered species educational garden in commercial buildings

27 May 2009, Singapore – Standard Chartered announced today that its new office building, Standard Chartered @ Changi at Changi Business Park, has been awarded the Platinum Green Mark Certification by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (“BCA”).

The built-to-suit office building integrates energy and water efficient features and is expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 36 percent compared to conventional buildings in Singapore. The building will also incorporate an endangered species educational garden as part of its comprehensive range of eco-friendly features.

First-of-its-kind in office buildings, the garden is designed to be a recreational space as well as to raise awareness of environmental conservation among employees and the community. Located on the ground level, the garden will feature a range of plants which are extinct or at risk of extinction in the wild due to over-collecting or de-forestation. Read more

Smart Green: How to Implement Sustainable Business Practices in Any Industry – and Make Money

Author: Jonathan Estes

ISBN: 978-0-470-38779-5

Hardcover: 224 pages

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Recommended Retail Price: SGD 52.38 (including GST)

Available at all major bookstores

Book Review

Smart Green is a green resource guide for entrepreneurs and business leaders interested in creating sustainable businesses. There is no single definition of a green company or what sustainability means for every company, but the author managed to describe the steps for a company to become Smart Green, which includes the following:

Smart Green companies must first reflect on what it takes to be green and be aware of sustainability issues. They should become green-aware; bio-aware; socially-aware; energy-aware and regionally-aware.

Smart Green companies conduct a needs analysis through footprint analysis, product life cycle analysis, business relationship analysis, and cash flow analysis. The outcomes help in the preparing of a green mission statement, which includes goals and objectives, desired outcomes, and involving stakeholders.

When Smart Green companies work on their strategic planning, they understand the seven tiers of Smart Green growth:

1. Awareness of the Need for Change
2. Recognition of Implications
3. Analysis of Current State
4. Applying a Systems View Approach
5. Planning and Implementing a Strategy
6. Analysis of and Reflection on Outcomes and Impacts
7. Innovation, Creativity, Growth, and Meaning

Smart Green companies also measure sustainability outcomes based on the analytics approach that looks at financial outcomes, long-term strategies, return on investment, continuous growth and best practices.

Smart Green companies are led by leaders who are aware of environmental, social and economic indicators, and measure success on profit and the extended footprint of the company.

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Promotion for Green Business Times Readers

Readers in Singapore can now buy the book from John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd at a 20% discount from 18 May 09 to 18 June 09.

1. Place your order to this email address: csd_ord@wiley.com or call: +65 6463 4604
2. Quote the ISBN of the book title
3. Quote the 4 digit promotion code to be entitled to the 20% discount – Promo Code 2402

.

Green Business Practices for Dummies

Author: Lisa Swallow

ISBN: 978-0-470-39339-0

Paperback; 384 pages

Recommended Retail Price: SGD 38.47 (including GST)

Available at all major bookstores

Book Review

Green Business Practices for Dummies is a practical and hands-on guide to help your company implement green practices throughout your organisation. It covers the creation of a sustainability vision and plan, the implementation of sustainability practices, involving stakeholders in your efforts, and measuring and reporting the results.

First, you will learn about the business case for sustainability, and understand the opportunities and challenges in going green. The book also helps you develop a sustainability plan for your company, including conducting a SWOT analysis, creating green goals, and planning initiatives to reach them.

Second, the book shows you what is needed to start implementing the green practices in your company. It includes greening your daily office practices, product development, production processes, building and facilities, and accounting and investment practices.

Third, you will learn about involving relevant stakeholders in your sustainability efforts, how to market to green consumers and promote your green products or services, working with non-profit organisations, and engaging your employees with green HR practices.

The last part of the book discusses the relevant standards and certifications available in the green market, shows you how to gather data and measure your organisation’s progress, and prepares you to create a sustainability report for your stakeholders.

.

Promotion for Green Business Times Readers

Readers in Singapore can now buy the book from John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd at a 20% discount from 4 May 09 to 4 June 09.

1. Place your order to this email address: csd_ord@wiley.com or call: +65 6463 4604
2. Quote the ISBN of the book title
3. Quote the 4 digit promotion code to be entitled to the 20% discount – Promo Code 2401

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CapitaLand Reduces Electricity and Water Consumption

This is a news release from CapitaLand.

Singapore, 14 January 2009 – CapitaLand’s Group-wide initiatives to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle have paid off. In the first 11 months of 2008, the Group reduced electricity and water consumption in 23 retail malls, office buildings and serviced residences in Singapore by 4% and 5% respectively compared to the same period in 2007, after adjustments for human traffic and occupancy rate. This is equivalent to about S$1.5 million based on current utility costs. The electricity saved can power 12,500 five-room HDB flats for one month while the water saved can fill 24 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Read more

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