Wed. Feb 1: Solar Sense

Solar PV: Making Sense of it in Massachusetts

What are the realities of solar photovoltaics here for commercial and residence use? What are the key criteria for decision-makers? Does it make sense? What is the bottom line for your home…your business?  Our guest speaker will provide an overview on the value chain here, including the economics and regulatory advantages.

Matt Shortsleeve, executive of Mercury Solar Systems, promises to lead a lively, insightful discussion to help us understand the realities of solar. Matt is a longtime member of the Sustainability Forum, a graduate of Presidio’s Sustainability Leadership program and former executive of the NSIV cleantech incubator.

Be sure to register here at NSTC.org (or at the door). Non-members welcome.

Wed., Feb. 1, 2012 at 8 a.m.

CleanTech Innoventure Center

4th Floor
20 Wheeler Street
Lynn, MA

Directions on our site: http://northshoretechcouncil.blogspot.com/

No Sustainability Forum Nov. 2. Catch Clean Energy Week

FYI:  There is no Sustainability Forum this month at the CleanTech Innoventure Center.  It’s Clean Energy Week in Boston!

Lot’s of action going on from the 7th AnnualConference on Clean Energy, Strategic Partner CleanTech Day, and the Green Tie Gala. 

We’ll see you all Wed., Dec. 7, at 8 a.m. for the next Sustainability Forum, we’ll have a great line-up and  reports from Clean Energy Week.

Sustainability in Business

We were pleased to see a great turnout at Wednesday's Sustainability Forum meeting!

According to Lisa Lillelund of Mango Networks (right) and Chad Stern (below), it's important for your business to have a sustainability strategy for the sake of both the environment and the success of your company. Young people prefer to work for companies with sustainability initiatives and consumers are beginning to demand more eco-friendly products.

And for added perspective on Wednesday's presentation check out Analyst Bob Eastman's SMB Research blog.

Coming up, we'll take a look at how different constituencies are tackling sustainability. Meetings at the CleanTech Innoventure Center give us a good sense of clean-technology, but that's just one piece of the puzzle.

In August, we'll learn more about how our towns and communities are addressing the issue, and in September, we're joined by one of the region's top sustainability leaders.

Upcoming Speakers

Wed., August 3
Joanne Bissetta
Green Community Coordinator, Northeast Region
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
www.mass.gov/doer

The Green Communities Division empowers the Commonwealth's cities and towns to reduce their energy use and their carbon footprint on the journey towards healthier and stronger economies.

Wed., September 7
Rich Goode
Sr. Director of Sustainability & CSR
Alcatel-Lucet

Goode is a leader in bringing sustainability and climate change initiatives to organizations. Practitioner of the principles of sustainable management to guide companies in utilizing methodologies that increase revenue, reduce waste and promote broader social and environmental context while building shareholder value.

See you July 6!

Sustainability Forum Examines Sustainability in Business

How can all types of companies improve their business, save money and attract customers by operating more sustainably?

What: Presentation on Environmental Sustainability for Companies by Lisa Lillelund, Sustainability Advisor, followed by panel discussion with Chad Stern, Property Manager/Sustainability Coordinator

When:              Wednesday, July 6, 2011

8:00 –   8:30   coffee & networking

8:30 –   9:30   Presentation & lively discussion
9:30 – 10:00   more great networking if you like                                                                                                                                                                                      

Where:             CleanTech InnoVenture Center

                        4^th Floor

                        20 Wheeler Street

                        Lynn, MA  01902

Topic:             How can small and large companies from a variety of 
industries benefit from implementing sustainability initiatives? 
And what exactly does “sustainability” mean? 
How can a Green Team mobilize your company? 
Why is it important to your business, and how can it help 
reduce costs and make your company more attractive to 
employees and customers? 

Coming Up: Dec 8 Forum with Timberland’s Environmental Steward

Betsy Blaisdell, senior manager of environmental stewardship at The Timberland Co., will address our next Sustainability Forum.

It’s Betsy who is responsible for the programs and policies that help Timberland reduce its environmental footprint. It’s a big job for a billion dollar company that depends on global markets.

This promises to be a great Forum meeting. Sustainability is a broad issue that affects all businesses in various ways. It also is shedding light on very interesting new ideas in production, distribution and marketing.

The core of the Timberland brand is based on a fundamental message of sustainability. What would you expect from a company with a line of boots called “earthkeepers”?

We expect a good turnout, smart questions and lively discussion. Coffee and networking at 8 a.m.  We promise to have you out by 9:30.  Directions to the Cleantech Innoventure Center in Lynn are on the homepage.  We look forward to seeing you there.