Useful sites
Sustainable Design
The Center for Paper Business and Industry Studies
The Center for Paper Business and Industry Studies (CPBIS) is an internationally recognized academic research center providing business knowledge of relevance to the global forest products industry.
Centre for Design
Centre for Design's mission is to conduct an integrated program of interdisciplinary research, consulting & professional development to promote and demonstrate the role of design and innovation in achieving an environmentally sustainable future for Australia.
Consortium on Green Design and Manufacturing, UC Berkeley
The Consortium on Green Design and Manufacturing (CGDM) was formed to encourage multi- disciplinary research and education on environmental management, design for environment and pollution prevention issues in critical industries.
The Designers Accord
The Designers Accord is a coalition of designers, educators, researchers, engineers, business consultants, and corporations, who are working together to create positive environmental and social impact.
Design Can Change
This initiative works on the premise that designers are a critical hub to business, industry and the public; therefore, we have the ability to lobby, inform, and subsequently enable positive change, by working together. Key to this effort is the pledge: a set of guidelines for becoming more sustainable. It gives designers an actionable framework for embracing sustainability and also helps quantify our collective strength as we lobby for change.
Design With Memory
Design With Memory is committed to the development of new materials and sustainable design in product design and architecture.
ecospecifier
Ecospecifier is a knowledge base of well over 3000 environmentally preferable products, materials, technologies and resources.
The Forest Stewardship Council
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world's forests.
Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design
From the National Park Service, Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design is intended to direct park management philosophy. Its goal is to provide a basis for achieving sustainability in facility planning and design, emphasize the importance of biodiversity, and encourage responsible decisions.
IDSA Ecodesign Section
The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) is the voice of the industrial design profession, advancing the quality and positive impact of design. The Ecodesign Section supports the design of products, services, spaces and delivery methods that minimize damage or restore the health to the natural environment.
Metafore
Metafore is a source of tools, information and innovative thinking for businesspeople focused on evaluating, selecting and manufacturing environmentally preferable products.
The Mighty Odo
Organic Design Operatives (ODO) is a diverse collective of creative people brought together through the common mission of reconnecting people with nature by design.
O2 Global Network
O2 Global Network is an informal network for anybody interested in sustainable design. Network members are involved in industrial design, architecture, styling, graphic design, fashion, innovation and the arts. Included as well are people from academies, universities, public authorities, private companies, NGOs and knowledge centers.
Printers' National Environmental Assistance Center
PNEAC is a conduit to experts and reliable information on environmental issues related to the printing, publishing and packaging industry.
renourish
Renourish is a resource for the graphic design industry. Specifically, renourish offers definitions, tips, links, information and inspiration to aid in the development of a sustainable and more environmentally conscious graphic design craft.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. (SFI) is North America’s largest forest certification program.
Viridian Design
The Viridian design movement is an aesthetic movement centered around bright green environmentalist and technogaian concepts. It ties together environmental design, techno-progressivism, and global citizenship.
Sustainable Living
Bioneers
Bioneers is a forum for connecting the environment, health, social justice, and spirit within a broad progressive framework.
EcoMarket
A European directory of green products and services.
The EnviroLink Network
The EnviroLink Network is a non-profit organization which has been providing access to thousands of online environmental resources since 1991.
Environmental Defense
Environmental Defense is a leading national nonprofit organization representing more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, they have linked science, economics and law to create innovative, equitable and cost-effective solutions to society's most urgent environmental problems.
Green Options
Green Options is a home on the web for Greening the Good Life. Although the number of ‘green’ businesses and web sites has exploded in recent years, Green Options feels that many people are still hunting for practical, personal knowledge that allows them to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle without breaking their budget or seriously sacrificing comfort and convenience. Features a blog, news reports and discussion forums.
The Natural Step
The Natural Step works to accelerate global sustainability by guiding companies, communities and governments onto an ecologically, socially and economically sustainable path. More than 70 people in 12 countries work with an international network of sustainability experts, scientists, universities, and businesses to create solutions, innovative models and tools that will lead the transition to a sustainable future.
Rocky Mountain Institute
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is an independent, entrepreneurial, nonprofit organization. They foster the efficient and restorative use of resources to make the world secure, just, prosperous, and life-sustaining.
United Nations Environment Programme
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the voice for the environment in the United Nations system. It is an advocate, educator, catalyst and facilitator promoting the wise use of the planet's natural assets for sustainable development.
Worldchanging
Worldchanging was founded on the idea that real solutions already exist for building the future we want. it's just a matter of grabbing hold and getting moving.
Sustainable Business Practice
Beyond Grey Pinstripes
Beyond Grey Pinstripes is a biennial survey and ranking of business schools. Our mission is to spotlight innovative full-time MBA programs that are integrating issues of social and environmental stewardship into curricula and research.
Business for Social Responsibility
Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) provides socially responsible business solutions to many of the world’s leading corporations. Headquartered in San Francisco and with offices in Europe and China, BSR is a nonprofit business association that serves its 250 member companies and other Global 1000 enterprises.
Ceres
Ceres (pronounced "series") is a national network of investors, environmental organizations and other public interest groups working with companies and investors to address sustainability challenges such as global climate change. Mission: Integrating sustainability into capital markets for the health of the planet and its people.
Global Citizen Center
The Global Citizen Center is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate the public about our need to engage in new economic practices–as consumers, businesses, and communities–that are environmentally sustainable and socially just. These principles are embodied in the Green Economy.
Global Reporting Initiative
The Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) vision is that reporting on economic, environmental, and social performance by all organizations becomes as routine and comparable as financial reporting. GRI accomplishes this vision by developing, continually improving, and building capacity around the use of its Sustainability Reporting Framework.
Global Spine
Industry consultant on environmental issues. In partnership with the Chalmers University, Göteborg, Sweden.
GreenBiz
GreenBiz is the leading information resource on how to align environmental responsibility with business success. They provide valuable news and resources to large and small businesses through a combination of Web sites, workshops, daily news feeds, electronic newsletters, and briefing papers. Their resources are free to all users.
HERE Magazine
HERE is a yearly 150–page publication created by Iconologic for the architecture and planning firm Cooper Carry. HERE #3 is the energy issue–a wide ranging exploration on the topic of energy and the environment. This link includes downloadable PDF visual essays on consumption, accountability and reinvention.
A Paper Buyer's Guide to Forest Certification Schemes
An independent third-party comparison of leading forest certification systems: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certifications (PEFC). This is the most up-to-date and independent cross-analysis of the certification systems available.
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.
Academics/Research
Archeworks
Archeworks is an alternative design school where students work in multidisciplinary teams with nonprofit partners to create design solutions for social concerns.
California Academy of Sciences
Founded in 1853 to survey and study the vast resources of California and beyond, the California Academy of Sciences is the oldest scientific institution in the West. Over the past 154 years, the Academy has grown to become the fourth largest natural history museum in the country. Home to Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, and the Kimball Natural History Museum, as well as world class research and education departments, the Academy's mission is to explore, explain, and protect the natural world.
College of the Atlantic
All students major in Human Ecology focusing on our relationship with the environment. Coursework is structured to encourage creativity, investigation, engagement and community.
IDSA Ecodesign Okala Guide 2007
Okala provides an introduction to ecological and sustainable design for practicing and beginning designers. Okala means "life sustaining energy" in indigenous Hopi language. It envisions a future where we recognize the value of global ecology and work to insure its protection. The Okala guide revised in 2007 with emphasis on usability to practicing designers and design students.
Prospectus, Cranfield University
A wholly postgraduate university with an international community and a truly global reputation.
Worldwatch Institute
The Worldwatch Institute offers a unique blend of interdisciplinary research, global focus, and accessible writing that has made it a leading source of information on the interactions among key environmental, social, and economic trends. Their work revolves around the transition to an environmentally sustainable and socially just society–and how to achieve it.
World Resources Institute
The World Resources Institute is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to create practical ways to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. Their mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment for current and future generations.
Local Resources
Greenbelt Alliance
Protecting the San Francisco Bay Area's open space and promoting livable communities since 1958.
ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability
ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability, is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development.
North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
Protecting the environment and conserve natural resources by providing technical assistance on the elimination, reduction, reuse and recycling of wastes and pollutants.
OZOcar
New York's 1st eco-luxury private car sevice
Pacific Industrial and Business Association
The Pacific Industrial and Business Association provides educational programs to link the community with representatives from the private sector, government, and academia to exchange ideas, concerns, information and best organizational practices. PIBA is committed to the well-being and sustainability of the Bay Area Community, and to advancing educational dialogue to the shared benefit of all sectors of society.