Return on Sustainability : How Business Can Increase Profitability and Address Climate Change in an Uncertain Economy

This book highlights the risk of inaction for businesses when it comes to climate change, but also contains best practices to allow them to capitalize on the numerous business opportunities that climate change presents, including increased profitability, enhanced brand value, and improved shareholder relations. The first section contains practical actions and real-world case studies of companies, such as Yakima, Sun Microsystems, and Lockheed Martin, that have successfully improved their climate performances, enhanced brand value, and increased profitability at the same time. The second and third sections of this book focus on the various risks that companies face from potential carbon regulation and the market factors forcing businesses to take action, whether they want to or not. This book provides the steps and strategies necessary to take leadership actions to help business "future-proof" society. 'Climate change is the challenge of our generation. Wilhelm offers hope, and his new Return on Sustainability is a groundbreaking process that demonstrates to business the qualitative and quantitative benefits of taking action today.'
--Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

'Wilhelm provides a comprehensive full-systems perspective that enables executives, managers, and employees to understand how their jobs are tied to climate change--both from a risk and an opportunity perspective.'
--Gifford Pinchot, Cofounder, Bainbridge Graduate Institute

'The only hope for dealing with this biggest of problems is if we all--and I mean all--pull together. Here’s an important reminder that the all includes our businesses and industries.'
--Bill McKibben, Cofounder and Director, 350.org

'A perfect balance between inspiration and instruction, this is a practical, how-to guide for any business leader looking to green their business.'
--Laurie David, StopGlobalWarming.org

Return on Sustainability is a practical, comprehensive guide that demonstrates to businesspeople the benefits of taking actions to green their businesses--both from a financial and environmental perspective. It begins by highlighting the risk of inaction for businesses when it comes to climate change. It then goes on to explain best practices for businesses to capitalize on the numerous business opportunities that climate change presents, such as increased profitability, enhanced brand value, and improved shareholder and customer relations. The first section contains practical actions and real-world case studies of companies, such as Intel, General Mills, Sun Microsystems, and Lockheed Martin, that have saved money by improving their climate performance. The second and third sections of this book focus on the risks and opportunities both from regulations and market factors that are forcing businesses to take action, whether they want to or not.