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Williams-Sonoma, Victoria's Secret Commit to Certified Paper

Two major catalog companies released policies last month which could raise environmental standards for the wasteful catalog industry. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. and Limited Brands, parent company of Victoria’s Secret, announced they would begin to source paper from sustainably managed forests, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Williams-Sonoma, Inc. announced it will begin sourcing virtually all (in excess of 95%) of the paper used in the company’s seven catalogs – Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Bed and Bath, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home – from sources certified by FSC. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will begin to display the FSC Mixed Sources label on its catalogs in early 2007.“Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is committed to responsible catalog paper procurement practices that promote the sustainability of forests. We believe that FSC is the gold standard when it comes to forest products certification systems. FSC certification is a key component in our ongoing efforts to deliver on our commitment to our employees, customers and shareholders to operate in an environmentally sound manner,” said Pat Connolly, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Williams-Sonoma, Inc. “We could not have achieved this certification without the support and determined efforts of our supply chain partner, NewPage […]

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All CleanTech Sectors Rake in Top Dollars in 2006

By Candace Stuart and Linda HitchcockAlmost half of the 11 segments tracked by the Cleantech Venture Network had a deal that exceeded $50 million in 2006, according to a preliminary analysis of the year’s activities. Three of the four energy-related categories captured more than $100 million each in a single deal, and even segments that historically attract smaller deal sizes received venture financing above the average venture capital investment* in 2006.Below is a list of top deals by segment, ranked by amount. The selection is based on information that was compiled and verified through Dec. 21.Energy Generation Cilion Inc., a California-based ethanol company, received more than $200 million to operate modular ethanol plants that it claims will be less expensive and greener than standard corn-to-ethanol plants. Cilion was formed in June through a partnership of Western Milling, a grain milling business, and Khosla Ventures, a venture capital firm. Cilion’s goal is to have eight plants in production by 2008. Three of those likely will be in California. In a deal unveiled on Sept. 12, Cilion announced that it raised $200 million in a round that included Khosla Ventures, Western Milling, Virgin Fuels, Advanced Equities Inc. and Yucaipa Companies.Energy Infrastructure Everyone […]

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Transport for the Future

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Changing our energy infrastructure may seem daunting, but remember, it's only 100 years old - and that in life, the only real constant is change.

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Swiss Re Rebates Employees to Reduce Carbon Footprint

As part of the Clinton Global Initiative, Swiss Re, one of the world’s largest reinsurers, has decided to support measures taken by its employees that contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Under it’s new “COYou2 reduce and gain” program, which runs through 2011, Swiss Re will pay for half the costs for employees to implement measures that reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in relation to mobility, heating and electrical energy. Qualifying measures include the purchase of hybrid cars, use of public transport, and the installation of solar panels or heat pumps. According to Ivo Menzinger, Head of Sustainability & Emerging Risk Management, who is in charge of the “COYou2 reduce and gain” programme, “Swiss Re is actively engaged in mitigating climate change and its consequences. This programme is an investment that will encourage our employees to make a personal contribution and further raises awareness of the issue.” In 2003, Swiss Re declared that it would make its own operations carbon neutral by 2013. Website: http://www.swissre.com     

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