reprint of press release
posted by Paige Donner
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Showing posts with label Sustainable Cities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sustainable Cities. Show all posts
COP21: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals 2 Global Reports
World Business Council for Sustainable Development's Manifesto for Energy Efficient Buildings
Businesses Commit to Energy Efficiency in Buildings
WBCSD Manifesto for EEB Reaches 100 Signatories
Geneva, April 14, 2011 – The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) announced the 100th signatory to its Manifesto for Energy Efficiency in Buildings, signaling that companies who are market leaders in sustainable development recognize that buildings are a critical component shaping and driving the world’s energy consumption profile.
Buildings represent nearly 40 percent of the final energy used globally – and more than 50 percent of the energy consumed in manufacturing the steel, cement, aluminum, and glass used in building construction is included – and represents the largest consuming sector of energy.
The WBCSD launched the Energy Efficiency in Buildings (EEB) project in 2005 in order to assess the impact of stock and new construction buildings on energy consumption. The EEB generated data illuminating the gap between reality and perception throughout the building industry, advocating that successful change must address building practices and policies and follow a positive return on investment.
The work of the EEB project resulted in the publication of two decisive reports in November 2009, and also a Manifesto to be signed by the WBCSD member companies. By signing the Manifesto, a WBCSD member company or regional network commits to defining a plan to improve the energy efficiency of its current building portfolio within three years, as well as implementing energy efficiency policies for its portfolio of buildings. The WBCSD has been expanding the promotion of the Manifesto to external companies in order to advocate awareness on the issue and opportunities, and the key milestone of 100 signatories has been reached.
“I submitted this to our members’ CEOs with strong expectations that they would sign on to such a critical issue and begin to look at their buildings in the same way they look at their fleets and industrial operations,” said Bjorn Stigson, President of the WBCSD. “In this way, our members can ‘walk the talk’ that we’re serious about transforming the real estate markets around the world. I am pleased we have reached this important milestone amongst our membership, and now we’re beginning to see action beyond our borders.”
“The Manifesto pledge is key because it will reduce CO2 emissions and result in important energy and cost savings while motivating job creation for the building industry, and I’m proud to lead United Technologies in implementing these goals within the company. Simply put, it’s good for business and good for increasing our customer’s profits,” said William Sisson, Director of Sustainability for United Technologies Research Center.
As more companies sign on, the message will become clearer to the markets, so the WBCSD will keep advocating this issue among its members, as well as now driving it externally. Dedicated events have already been organized to promote the Manifesto in Japan, France, Korea and more recently the U.S. It is also promoted through the WBCSD’s regional offices and networks, and other events are scheduled to take place in the coming months.
For more information about the EEB Project, its two principle reports, roadmap activities, the Manifesto and its ongoing sub-projects, follow this link.
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About the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
The WBCSD is a CEO-led, global coalition of some 200 companies advocating for progress on sustainable development. Its mission is to be a catalyst for innovation and sustainable growth in a world where resources are increasingly limited. The Council provides a platform for companies to share experiences and best practices on sustainable development issues and advocate for their implementation, working with governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations. The membership has annual revenues of USD 7 trillion, spans more than 35 countries and represents 20 major industrial sectors. The Council also benefits from a network of 60 national and regional business councils and partner organizations, a majority of which are based in developing countries. www.wbcsd.org
Recycle, Reuse, Rejoice!
Electronic Recyclers International Cozies Up With Alcoa
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa (NYSE: AA), the world’s leading aluminum producer, announced today it has become a minority investor in Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the largest U.S. recycler of electronics waste. Alcoa Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Kevin Anton will also become a director of ERI.
NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- Alcoa Inc. (AA: 16.64, +0.48, +2.97%) paid $10 million for a 10% equity stake in electronics-waste recycler Electronic Recyclers International, the aluminum giant said Wednesday.Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/03/02/alcoa-buys-10-electronic-recyclers-international/#ixzz1FYoCEUET
“Aluminum’s use in the global consumer electronics market continues to increase rapidly and we are honored to partner with Alcoa, a leader in the industry”
Consumer electronics represents a fast-growing market for aluminum because of the metal’s light weight, durability, heat conductivity and limitless surface finishes. Aluminum content in laptops alone is expected to increase 30 percent by 2013, from a 2010 baseline. Through this new partnership, Alcoa will bring its expertise in recycling to the growing challenge of e-waste, enhancing the role aluminum plays in making electronics more sustainable.
“We see tremendous opportunity for aluminum in the consumer electronics market,” Anton said. “This partnership between our two companies enhances Alcoa’s ability to deliver on its commitment to sustainability by increasing the recycling of consumer electronics and driving sustainable practices.
Read MORE on BUSINESS WIRE
“As the country’s largest e-waste recycler, ERI shares Alcoa’s commitment to financial success, environmental excellence, and social responsibility, and I look forward to working with ERI to drive recycling in the consumer electronics market.”
Alcoa partnered with ERI in 2010 to develop the free Aluminate recycling app for iPhone, as part of the company’s goal of increasing the recycling rate of aluminum cans in the U.S. to 75 percent by the year 2015.
Alcoa’s investment will help further develop ERI’s industry-leading recycling technologies and expand its geographic footprint across the U.S. Anton’s addition to the ERI board will deepen its capacity and expertise through his background in both finance and sustainability. Prior to leading Alcoa’s sustainability efforts, Anton served as vice president, finance and strategy, for Alcoa Global Primary Products and brings more than 30 years of leadership in the metals and mining industry to the board.
As part of its ongoing commitment to the environment and sustainability, Alcoa also announced today that it will become an enterprise member of the Basel Action Network (BAN)’s e-Stewards Certification program, an organization dedicated to eliminating the disproportionate impact of trade in toxic chemicals and products on developing countries. ERI was a founding member of BAN’s e-Stewards Certification program.
“Aluminum’s use in the global consumer electronics market continues to increase rapidly and we are honored to partner with Alcoa, a leader in the industry,” said John S. Shegerian, ERI’s co-founder, chairman and CEO. “This partnership will allow us to continue expanding and improving our operations while keeping pace with the ever-growing demand for sustainable solutions to electronic waste.”
About Alcoa
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world’s leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral part of Alcoa’s operating practices and the product design and engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for nine consecutive years and approximately 75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 59,000 people in 31 countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.
About Electronic Recyclers International (ERI)
Now the largest recycler of electronic waste in the world, Fresno-headquartered Electronic Recyclers International handles over 120 million pounds of waste annually at six locations around the country in California, Washington, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts and Texas. It has the United States’ largest electronic waste shredding capacity and recycles the largest volume of electronics from U.S. retailers and manufacturers, including Best Buy and Samsung. It leads the U.S. in compliance around data destruction and in environmental stewardship, with 100 percent of its recyclable metals broken into commodities and sent straight to the smelter. ERI’s 1800Recycling.com website is also the number one recycling search engine in the U.S. For more information about e-waste recycling and ERI, call 1-800-884-8466 or visit http://www.electronicrecyclers.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release relate to future events and expectations and, as such, constitute forward-looking statements involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Alcoa to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the use of predictive, future-tense or forward-looking terminology, such as “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “outlook,” “plans,” “projects,” “should,” “will,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that reflect Alcoa’s expectations, assumptions, or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, forecasts concerning global demand for aluminum, aluminum end-market growth, aluminum consumption rates, or other trend projections, and statements about Alcoa’s strategies, objectives, goals, targets, outlook, and business and financial prospects. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include: (a) material adverse changes in aluminum industry conditions, including global supply and demand conditions and fluctuations in London Metal Exchange-based prices for primary aluminum, alumina, and other products; (b) unfavorable changes in general business and economic conditions, in the global financial markets, or in the markets served by Alcoa, including automotive and commercial transportation, aerospace, building and construction, distribution, packaging, consumer electronics, oil and gas, defense, and industrial gas turbines; (c) Alcoa's inability to realize expected benefits from its investments in other companies; (d) Alcoa’s inability to achieve its goal of increasing the recycling rate of aluminum cans in the U.S. or its other sustainability goals; (e) changes in competitive conditions, including developments in technology, actions by competitors, and developments in products, including customer acceptance of aluminum in substitution for competing materials; (f) changes in relationships with, or the business or financial condition of, customers, suppliers, and business partners; and (g) the other risk factors summarized in Alcoa's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Alcoa disclaims any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
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Greening London: Dwell On Container City Design
The original Container City project, located at Trinity Buoy Wharf, in the heart of London's Docklands was completed in 5 months in 2001. Container City I was originally 3 stories high providing 12 work studios across 4,800 sq ft.
After high demand a fourth floor was added providing three additional live / work apartments.
As the second phase of the original Container City project at Trinity Buoy Wharf, Container City II is both an extension and evolution of the first building. It is built adjacent to Container City I, with inter-connecting bridges, a new lift and full disabled access, Container City II was completed in 2002 providing a further 22 studios over five floors.
In contrast to the first phase, Container City II is a funky ziggurat shape and painted in bright colors to reflect the creative flair of those who work there.
Following on from the Governments initiative to lower industry carbon emissions, the new Part L building regulations that were introduced in April 2006 require all commercial buildings to produce 27% less CO2 than was formerly allowed. While many firms will struggle to fulfil this criteria the Container City™ system lends itself perfectly as a a cheap way to recycle industrial products.
HOW CONTAINER CITY™ COMPLIES
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After high demand a fourth floor was added providing three additional live / work apartments.
As well as being very cost effective Container City I is environmentally friendly with over 80% of the building created from recycled material.
As the second phase of the original Container City project at Trinity Buoy Wharf, Container City II is both an extension and evolution of the first building. It is built adjacent to Container City I, with inter-connecting bridges, a new lift and full disabled access, Container City II was completed in 2002 providing a further 22 studios over five floors.
In contrast to the first phase, Container City II is a funky ziggurat shape and painted in bright colors to reflect the creative flair of those who work there.
Following on from the Governments initiative to lower industry carbon emissions, the new Part L building regulations that were introduced in April 2006 require all commercial buildings to produce 27% less CO2 than was formerly allowed. While many firms will struggle to fulfil this criteria the Container City™ system lends itself perfectly as a a cheap way to recycle industrial products.
HOW CONTAINER CITY™ COMPLIES
- Minimal concrete foundations required (existing structure strong yet lightweight)
- Little noise pollution (Off site construction and fast installation)
- Natural ventillation (No need for air conditioning)
- Photoelectric light sensitive cells (External lighting sensitive to light changes)
- Thermally efficient (uses external walkways and lift towers, double thick insulation and sealed south facing glazed units)
- Minimal artificial light required (fully glazed facades)
- Separate light and heat controls for each unit. (modular system less open plan)
Devised by Urban Space Management Ltd, the Container City™ system uses shipping containers linked together to provide high strength, prefabricated steel modules that can be combined to create a wide variety of building shapes and adapted to suit most planning or end user needs.
To date Urban Space Management Ltd has successfully used the Container City™ system to create office space, retail space, artist studios, a nursery, youth centres and live / work space. For More Info: Container City
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Earth Awards, Calling All Entries!
By Marissa Moss
Calling all sustainable designers – The Earth Awards wants you! The 2010 Earth Awards are on a global mission to discover creative and sustainable design solutions and innovations and bring international attention to the designers who created them. The grand prizewinner receives $50,000 and category winners take home $10,000, so if you think you make the cut you must submit your designs by May 10th. The six entry categories are: built environment, fashion, products, systems, future and social justice. Submissions must also meet the following criteria: achievable, scalable, measureable, useful, original and ecological. The 2009 winner is Neri Oxman, founder of Materialecology, an “interdisciplinary design research initiative at the interface between science, art and design. Submit your design and find more information at www.theearthawards.org. The Awards will take place in London on September 16, 2010.
Submissions Deadline: May 17, 2010
Marissa Moss is a public relations consultant for GriffinSchake based in NYC. She is also a freelance journalist.
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