What’s News at First Environment
FIRST ENVIRONMENT JOINED FORCES ON WESTCHESTER’S GLOBAL WARMING ACTION PLAN
Boonton, NJ - May 1, 2008 First Environment announces Westchester County Executive Andy Spano unveiled the Westchester Global Warming Action Plan and is calling you to action. He invites you to take the challenge to sign up to do your part in reversing global warming. Upon the Action Plan’s unveiling, he proclaimed, “every resident, business, government and school in Westchester should strive to reduce its ‘carbon footprint’ by 20 percent by 2015. This is an important interim goal of an ambitious, but doable, countywide action plan to help combat global warming.”
http://www.westchestergov.com/environment_globalwarmingactionplan.htm
To make this happen, First Environment, an international leader in emerging environmental issues, worked with the Global Warming Task Force to put together the Action Plan for short-term and long-term steps for every sector: individuals, businesses, schools, and governments. The Plan acts as a guide for the entire county from individual households to multi-million dollar businesses to catalyze change and help achieve sensible goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Recognizing the urgency and threat that global warming presents, Andy Spano, Westchester County Executive, convened the Global Warming Task Force in 2006. “Collectively… we can make a difference,” he said and brought together the formidable talent of public officials, subject experts, educators, and business leaders in the county. The 34-member Task Force identified countywide strategies for energy, transportation, land use, water resources, and waste and green purchasing. This has been a two and a half year collaborative effort that helps everyone understand the environmental impact of the choices they make every day; and when knowing the facts they can make choices that make Westchester a better place for our children and grandchildren.
Betsy Delaney, Vice President, First Environment worked with the Task Force to complete the final report and is very proud of the results. “This plan pulls together all sectors and provides answers for everybody who wants to do the right thing and remain prosperous in business,” said Betsy. “We focused on sensible and achievable tasks, such as using tap water instead of bottled water and businesses voluntarily joining and reporting their GHG levels to the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) where they can make reductions and trade carbon credits. I believe that most people want to do the right thing but they don’t always know what it is. Furthermore, being green and prosperous are not incompatible.”
First Environment leads by example. It is a Founding Reporter of The Climate Registry and a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange. First Environment was the first firm to be certified as a verifier for the California Climate Action Registry, the first consulting & engineering firm to become certified to ISO 14001, and as a member of the U.S. EPA's Climate Leaders, recently achieved its goal to become carbon neutral.
For more information, e-mail Bob Previdi at btp@firstenvironment.com.
FIRST ENVIRONMENT DESIGNS YONKERS US EPA AWARD WINNING ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Boonton, NJ - April 24, 2008 First Environment proudly announces that EPA Region 2 has selected the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant to receive the Environmental Quality Award for its Environmental Management System (EnvMS). First Environment worked with the Westchester Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) and its Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant to design and implement the award winning EnvMS that supports the facility’s mission to protect the Hudson River and the communities of Westchester.
Operated by Westchester County, they successfully met all the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14001) requirements for their EnvMS. ISO is very stringent in 17 specific areas including identification of all environmental impacts, setting targeted reduction goals, training, monitoring and emergency preparedness. Working with public and private entities First Environment uses only the latest international standards to design and implement environmental management systems.
Betsy Delaney of First Environment said, “Designing an environmental system is one thing – acting on it is another. The DEF and the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant leadership and staff have shown unfettered dedication to this certification by getting the job done right. All along they took each step very seriously and have demonstrated their commitment to the environment which is why they are so deserving of the 2008 U.S. EPA Environmental Quality Award.”
The Environmental Quality Award is the highest recognition presented by the U.S. EPA Region 2. To be selected, nominees must have significantly contributed to improving environmental quality and demonstrated results that are sustainable, reproducible and use established standards that can be verified. For more information, e-mail Bob Previdi at btp@firstenvironment.com.
FIRST ENVIRONMENT ANNOUNCES ROBERT B. POJASEK, Ph.D. AND EXPANDS NEW ENGLAND OPERATIONS
Boonton, NJ - April 21, 2008 First Environment proudly announces that Robert B. Pojasek, Ph.D., has joined the staff of First Environment as a Senior Associate. First Environment is responding to the increased demand for environmental programs in New England and broadening its offices to the Boston area.
Dr. Pojasek has consulted for a wide variety of manufacturing and service organizations. His experience includes planning, implementing and auditing management systems in quality, environment, occupational health and safety, risk management, and sustainable development. He also works with pollution prevention and regulatory compliance.
A Harvard University Adjunct Professor Dr. Pojasek is internationally recognized for his work with management systems. He has helped organizations and governments plan and implement improvement programs, and in 2006 was named “P2 Champion” by the (US) National Pollution Prevention Roundtable and received an award by the Canadian Pollution Prevention Roundtable for his work with the oil and gas industry. He also has served on the Science Advisory Board for the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Tod Delaney P.E. President of First Environment said, “It is honor to have a person with such a distinguished career joining our team.”
Upon joining Dr. Pojasek said, “I want to be part of an organization that walks the walk in the area of business sustainability. I look forward to sharing with our clients the lessons we have learned here incorporating sustainability planning into our own business." You may contact him at:
Robert B. Pojasek, Ph.D.
Senior Associate, First Environment, Inc.
PO Box 1333
East Arlington, MA 02474
781-641-2422 (tel)
339-368-1774 (mobile)
781-465-6006 (fax)
rbp@firstenvironment.com
First Environment offers engineering design and implementation services to meet your company’s environmental and sustainability goals. Established in 1977 we are an international leader in emerging environmental standards and have built award-winning Environmental Management Systems for the Westchester County Airport as well. For more information, e-mail Barbara Thomson at btp@firstenvironment.com.
FIRST ENVIRONMENT - AHEAD OF THE CLIMATE CURVE
Boonton, NJ - December 3, 2007 Tod Delaney, President of First Environment, and Chairman of the United States Business Council for Sustainable Energy (USBCSE) is on his way to Bali for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The goal of the convention is to launch negotiations on a new climate deal to expand the Kyoto Protocol, which runs out in 2012.
As a non-government official, Tod will participate in developing world-wide policy. "Our goal is to support and nurture our clients so that documenting and managing CO2 and other environmental issues is easy for everybody to understand and manage," said Tod Delaney.
Tod will be meeting with high-ranking government officials from around the world. "Since climate change is a global issue, tackling climate change and its impacts can only be successfully coordinated at the international level. The UNFCCC presents the appropriate forum to do this," said Yvo de Boer, United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary.
[ http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/cop_13/press/application/pdf/071025__media_info_on_bali.pdf ]
First Environment is a worldwide leader in climate change and leads by example. First Environment was the first firm to be a certified Greenhouse Gas (GHG) certifier by the California Climate Action Registry. The Registry is a non-profit public/private partnership that helps companies throughout the United States to measure, monitor and report their GHG emissions. The Registry also chose First Environment to provide "Batch Certification" for small organizations who are eager to participate but have limited resources.
First Environment has earned an international reputation as a leader in emerging environmental issues. They are ISO 14001 Certified and are also an approved verifier of emission reductions for the Chicago Climate Exchange.
For more information please contact Barbara Thomson at 917-687-5298 or btp@firstenvironment.com
FIRST ENVIRONMENT MEETS CARBON NEUTRALITY GOALS 2 YEARS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
Boonton, NJ - December 3, 2007 First Environment, a leader in climate change, and a Charter member of United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leaders, initially committed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2008 and has already met its goal – two years ahead of schedule.
With the completion of the purchase of 400 tons of emissions reduction credits to offset all of its 2006 emissions, the firm has brought net emissions for the 2006 calendar year to zero. This is a position the firm intends to maintain through 2012, consistent with its Climate Leaders Commitment.
“What First Environment has done can serve as a model for what other small businesses in the US can do to reduce or offset greenhouse gases (GHG). After all, 52% of the US workforce is small business and it is the fastest growing sector in creating new jobs” says Tod Delaney, the president of First Environment. Even small business can achieve carbon neutrality and reduce global warming – without large capital investments.
In achieving carbon neutrality, the firm relied on the draft guidance issued by the EPA. The key requirements include:
- Develop a GHG inventory and management plan that includes employee business travel.
- Implement GHG reduction measures.
- Purchase alternative energy.
- Purchase GHG offsets for remaining emissions.
At its headquarters in Boonton, NJ, the firm has taken simple, common sense measures to reduce energy needs and associated GHG emission. The firm installed skylights and large windows to increase natural lighting, upgraded insulation using a recycled material, developed a system for tracking thermostat settings to optimize temperature control and reduce energy consumption and installed carpet with recycled content.
In March 2006, First Environment switched generation for electricity purchases to renewable sources at its corporate headquarters. Community Energy supplies electricity generated 50% from wind, 49% from low-impact hydro, and 1% solar through Central Jersey Light & Power to First Environment’s Boonton offices. This change reduced GHG emissions from purchased electricity to zero at its largest office.
Finally, the firm purchased offsets tons for its remaining emission from a landfill gas to energy project in Lancaster, PA. The project owned by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority went on line in December of 2005. The credits were verified by an independent third party registrar and registered with the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX).
Documentation of the purchase and business travel has been submitted to the EPA contractor that performs verification services to First Environment. The firm looks forward to EPA recognizing the position of the firm as the first Climate Leader to achieve carbon neutrality.
For more information please contact Barbara Thomson at 917-687-5298 or btp@firstenvironment.com
FIRST ENVIRONMENT COMPLETES KODAK’S WORLDWIDE GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY FOR 2005
Boonton, NJ - October 1, 2007 First Environment, a worldwide leader in environmental management and sustainability, announced today that it has successfully completed the third-party certification process of Eastman Kodak Company’s 2005 global greenhouse gas emissions.
Kodak reports their emissions inventory to the California Climate Action Registry, a non-profit public/private partnership that helps companies and organizations throughout the United States to measure, monitor and report their greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions publicly reported to the Registry are required to be certified by independent third-parties like First Environment to ensure accuracy. "First Environment is well-qualified to certify greenhouse gas emissions from multi-national organizations," said Robyn Camp, Program Director of the California Climate Action Registry.
Kodak has been using First Environment’s greenhouse gas reporting services since 2002 to verify their worldwide emissions that are voluntarily reported. “First Environment’s experience and understanding of California and global standards allowed Kodak to receive third-party verification of our commitment to reduce greenhouse gases worldwide,” said Scott Summers, Kodak’s director of Health, Safety and Environment, Worldwide Manufacturing and Logistics.
Kodak’s worldwide operations, with manufacturing plants in North America, Europe, Asia and South America, committed to improve energy efficiency by 20% as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% over five years.
“Kodak has a longstanding commitment to environmental improvement,” Summers said. “It is fundamental to Kodak’s values of continuous improvement. Climate change is no different – we must continually look for ways to more efficiently design and operate our facilities. Publicly reporting through the California Climate Action Registry, with First Environment’s capable assistance, represents another step in holding ourselves accountable for further progress.”
“Our goal is to make documenting and managing CO2 and other environmental issues easy to understand and deal with, ” said Tod Delaney, President of First Environment. First Environment has earned international recognition as a leader in emerging environmental issues. They are ISO 14001 certified, and are also an approved verifier of emission reductions for the Chicago Climate Exchange.
For more information please contact Barbara Thomson at 917-687-5298 or btp@firstenvironment.com
FIRST ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONALS PARTICIPATE IN GREENBUILD 2006
Boonton, NJ - November 14, 2006 First Environment’s Peter Clarke and Catherine Bobenhausen participated in a lively panel discussion at Greenbuild 2006 on climate change and green building practice in New York. Invited panelists were Craig Kneeland, Senior Project Manager from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Laurie Kerr, formerly Chief of Research for the New York City Department of Design and Construction’s Office of Sustainable Design.
In keeping with the conference theme of taking green building practice to new heights of awareness, the session explored the implications of local and state initiatives for buildings relative to the goals and targets of a landmark regional energy “cap and trade” program, by looking at the quantitative impacts of New York State/New York City green building programs on greenhouse gas emissions. Also discussed was the potential for allowing carbon trading from building-related energy efficiency improvements.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, is a cooperative effort by Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas that causes global warming. The program will use a “cap-and-trade” system targeted at the supply side of energy…the power sector.
New York State is a participant in RGGI, and has numerous demand-side initiatives such as the New York State Green Buildings Tax Credit, NYSERDA technical and financial incentives, NYS Executive Order 111 and NYC Local Law 86, which will require all City-funded buildings to develop GHG emissions reductions profiles.
For more information please contact Catherine Bobenhausen at 973-334-0003.
FIRST ENVIRONMENT HIRES LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT EXPERT
Boonton, NJ – August 21, 2006 Greg Kozak has joined First Environment as a senior environmental engineer. Working from the firm’s Washington D.C. office, Kozak’s main focus will be on life cycle management and assessment projects.
Kozak comes to First Environment from Washington, D.C.-based strategic communications firm Kearns & West, where he was a senior associate focused on stakeholder relations, education, research and outreach and public involvement. His projects included managing a facilitation team that worked with stakeholders representing more than 80 organizations as part of Duke Power’s hydroelectric relicensing effort in North and South Carolina.
In addition, Kozak recently co-authored an Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) report, which investigated renewable energy policies and markets in the U. S. and Europe, key factors influencing renewable energy strategies and energy company strategies and plans for developing renewable energy portfolios.
Kozak’s background also includes working as a research associate at the University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems (CSS), where he conducted research on a variety of topics including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), renewable energy, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies. Also while at the University of Michigan, Kozak was awarded the AT&T Industrial Ecology faculty fellowship award. This fellowship aided the completion of his published thesis, which investigated the environmental benefits of e-book technologies.
First Environment President Tod Delaney, Ph.D., said, “The practice of life cycle assessment and management is becoming increasingly important to our clients, especially those who produce or purchase products. Greg’s skills and knowledge will enable First Environment to expand our services to meet this growing need.”
Kozak has also worked as an environmental engineer for Roy F. Weston, Inc. and Ecology & Environment, Inc., both in Chicago, where he managed numerous EPA projects under the Superfund Technical Assistance and Response Team (START) contract.
Kozak holds a master’s degree in natural resources and environment with a concentration in environmental policy and planning from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Notre Dame.
Kozak is a member of the International Society for Industrial Ecology (ISIE) and Western Society of Engineers.
For more information please contact Greg Kozak at 202-223-9086.
FIRST ENVIRONMENT WINS GOVERNMENT CONTRACT TO REMOVE CONTAMINATED SOIL AND TANKS IN SWEDESBORO, NJ
Boonton, NJ – July 5, 2006 First Environment, Inc., is scheduled to begin work July 7, 2006 on a project to remove underground and above ground storage tanks, as well as lead-impacted soil, at the former NIKE missile base in Swedesboro, NJ.
The project is the first government contract awarded to First Environment by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Services Schedule. GSA is the fifth largest procurement organization of the federal government.
Tod Delaney, president of First Environment said, “First Environment is proud to have met the rigorous standards of the GSA. Our long track record of complex environmental remediation and management makes us the right firm to conduct the remediation activities at the NIKE base.”
In selecting First Environment, the GSA/Public Buildings Service cited First Environment’s 20+ years of work with underground storage tanks, the company’s excellent references, and its status as a service-disabled veteran owned small business. First Environment will receive $94,594 for the work.
The former missile base is located on approximately 30 acres on Paulsboro-Swedesboro Road and Route 322. Built during the Cold War, it was one of many military sites designed to protect the East Coast. The base was closed in 1972.
For more information please contact Tom Bambrick, Senior Associate, at 973-334-0003.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY EXPERT CONTRIBUTES TO NEW GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONALS
Boonton, NJ – June 21, 2006 Catherine Bobenhausen, an expert on indoor air quality with First Environment, Inc., is a contributing author of the newly published book, “The IAQ Investigator’s Guide: A Guide to the Principles, Techniques, and Resources for Professional Indoor Air Quality Investigations.”
Bobenhausen said, “The book is an easy read and very user friendly. It employs a Sherlock Holmes-like investigator who tells how odd cases were solved, and a ‘What is Normal’ section gathers hard-to-find benchmarks on building air quality testing.”
The guide gives the indoor air quality (IAQ) investigator the tools to conduct thorough investigations; interpret sampling data; identify sources of chemical and biological contaminants; and be knowledgeable about ventilation system components. It also covers current IAQ guidelines, standards, and practices. Causes and solutions for common IAQ problems are given, along with guidance for special environments and practical resources (checklists and forms) to help resolve IAQ problems.
Bobenhausen added, “Another important section of the book deals with communication skills necessary to handle occupant concerns and symptoms with sensitivity. An IAQ professional also often works with other scientists and remediation specialists, so the ability to communicate effectively is critical.”
Since 1999, Bobenhausen has served as chair of the publications subcommittee of the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s (AIHA) indoor environmental quality committee. Every year, she has led a team that evaluates peer-reviewed journal articles for merit in the field of indoor air research. The team nominates and bestows awards for the best papers on the topic of indoor air in the industrial hygiene journals.
Other contributors to the second edition include: Ellen C. Gunderson, Spansion LLC; John M. Dobby, Aires Consulting Group; Ralph A. Froehlich, Helix Environmental; Melissa Ling, Chelsea Group Ltd.; Patrick J. Rafferty, Rafferty & James; and Timothy J. Ryan, Ohio University. Bobenhausen also helped to write the first edition of The IAQ Investigator’s Guide, originally published in 1993.
For additional information on First Environment’s air quality services contact Bobenhausen at ccb@firstenvironment.com. To order a copy of The IAQ Investigator’s Guide, go the AIHA website, www.aiha.org, and click on “AIHA Marketplace.”
FIRST ENVIRONMENT HOSTS SUNSET CRUISE AT ENVIRONMENTAL LAW FORUM IN AVALON, NEW JERSEY
Boonton, NJ – June 20, 2006 The 2006 Environmental Law Forum for attorneys involved in environmental issues will be held June 23-25, at the Golden Inn Hotel and Resort – Oceanfront in Avalon.
Highlights of the Forum include a sunset dinner cruise on Friday night, sponsored by First Environment, Inc., a global strategic environmental management consulting firm based in New Jersey. Tod Delaney, president of First Environment, said, “The cruise is a wonderful evening on the intercoastal when attorneys and other environmental professionals can spend quality time with their families and network with each other.”
The Forum’s keynote speaker will be William Wehrum, EPA acting assistant administrator. He will discuss climate change, NSR and other Title V developments. Registrants also may attend seminars on varied topics such as the Brownfield Act and land use laws, ethics and conflict resolution between clients, and much more.
The Environmental Law Forum is jointly sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Association Environmental Law Section and the New Jersey Corporate Counsel Association Environmental Law Committee in cooperation with The New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE). ICLE provides credits for the professional development programs offered during the weekend.
For further information on the Forum, call the ICLE at 732.249.5100 or visit the NJ-ICLE website for program and registration information.
FIRST ENVIRONMENT COMPLETES VERIFICATION OF EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY CORPORATE GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY REPORTS
Boonton, NJ – April 17, 2006 First Environment has announced the completion of its verification of Eastman Kodak Company’s first greenhouse gas (GHG) reports to the California Climate Action Registry.
Dr. Derek Guest, Kodak’s Director of Health, Safety and Environment Science and Technology, said, “The completion of verification of Kodak’s Registry report represents an environmental achievement for our company. We appreciate the verification services that First Environment provided to allow us to reach this milestone.”
First Environment assessed Kodak’s reports of GHG emissions that were produced at the company’s five manufacturing facilities as well as the corporation’s non-manufacturing and photo-processing operations. The reports covered the years of 2002, 2003, and 2004. First Environment also conducted a separate assessment which looked at emissions produced at Kodak facilities outside the U.S. in countries including Mexico, France and China.
Robyn Camp, Program Director for the Registry commented, "This is certainly a complex and ambitious inventory and the Registry recognizes that First Environment did a thorough job in reviewing and assessing Kodak's GHG emissions reports."
First Environment was the first company approved by the California Energy Commission to verify GHG reports for Registry participants. First Environment is also an approved verifier for emission reductions projects to the Chicago Climate Exchange. The firm has provided GHG verification services to several multi-national companies representing the manufacturing, metals, wood products, and waste management sectors.
About Eastman Kodak Company
Kodak is the world’s foremost imaging innovator, providing leading products and services to the photographic, graphic communications and healthcare markets. With sales of $14.3 billion in 2005, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images and information in their life and work. More information about Kodak (NYSE: EK) is available at www.kodak.com.
For more information please contact Jay Wintergreen at 973-334-0003.
FIRST ENVIRONMENT PRESIDENT TO PRESENT ON INTERNATIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS STANDARDS
Boonton, NJ – March 2, 2006 Tod Delaney, Ph.D., president of First Environment, Inc., a New Jersey based environmental and engineering consulting firm, is a scheduled speaker at two upcoming events addressing the issue of corporate greenhouse gas management and the environmental concern of global climate change.
Delaney will first present at the Air & Waste Management Association’s (AWMA) conference “Climate Change, Greenhouse Gas Inventories & Clean Energy Linkages,” March 7-9, in San Francisco. In early April, he also is a speaker at Globe 2006, an international environmental conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he will present in a session titled “GHG Management: Netting Profit from Sources and Sinks.”
The focus of his presentations is ISO 14064, an international standard for greenhouse gas (GHG) management. Delaney served as coordinator of an international expert team that was involved in establishing the ISO 14064 standard. Delaney is a recognized expert in GHG management and has been involved in international environmental standards development for more than a decade. First Environment supports corporations with GHG management consulting services.
In March 2006, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released the new standard to provide best practices for quantifying and reporting GHG emissions in a consistent manner. “For companies that want to take action on climate change, the ISO standard offers an international consensus on the technical approach to GHG quantification and reporting,” explains Delaney. “Using this technical approach, companies, especially multinational organizations, can advance GHG management programs without confusion from political disagreements associated with the issue.”
In November 2005, Delaney presented at the Eleventh Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Montreal, Canada. With nearly 10,000 participants, the conference was the largest intergovernmental climate conference since the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997.
Delaney is chairman of the board for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, a Washington, DC, based organization that promotes clean energy technologies as solutions to certain environmental challenges. He is a chemical and environmental health engineer with more than 30 years of industry experience and a Certified Principal Environmental Auditor accredited by England’s Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). Over the course of his career, he has worked for and consulted to hundreds of clients in the energy, chemical, manufacturing and services sectors as well as numerous public entities.
For more information please contact Jay Wintergreen at 973-334-0003.
FIRST ENVIRONMENT VERIFIES RECYCLED CONTENT OF MANNINGTON MILLS FLOORING PRODUCT
Boonton, NJ – February 9, 2006 First Environment, Inc. (First Environment) has completed an environmental verification of a new line of flooring for Mannington Mills, a residential & commercial flooring company known for its environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes.
First Environment assessed Mannington’s processes and operations related to this product for over four months, before verifying its Commercial Relay Homogeneous Sheet Flooring line as having a nominal 40 percent pre-consumer recycled content for 16 stock keeping units (SKU).
According to First Environment President Tod Delaney, “Achieving third party verification of this product line will help Mannington differentiate itself from its competitors. The recycled content verification is another way that Mannington is able to meet the needs of its customers by providing confidence in their environmental purchasing decisions.”
Relay is manufactured in Mannington’s Salem, New Jersey, facility, using pre-consumer (also called post industrial) carpet trim waste from carpet produced in its Georgia facility.
First Environment’s rigorous verification process included an examination of Mannington’s product recipe formulations, quality control procedures, and quality control testing data, as well as a site visit to observe the manufacturing process first-hand.
An industry leader in providing third party auditing, certification and verification services for manufacturing firms in the U.S. and abroad, First Environment’s environmental scientists and engineers have developed a proprietary system for verifying environmental attribute claims. The system is consistent with the Federal Trade Commission’s Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims and ISO 14024: Environmental Labeling Type I - Guiding Principles and Procedures.
In addition to verifying recycled content, First Environment verifies product and manufacturing claims related to the use of formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, ozone depleting chemicals, and the use of the “environmentally preferable” label.
For more information please contact Lauren Sandler at 973-334-0003.
LEADING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY EXPERT JOINS FIRST ENVIRONMENT
Boonton, NJ – February 9, 2006 Catherine Bobenhausen, a recognized expert in sustainability and environmental and worker health, has joined First Environment as an Associate. From First Environment’s headquarters in New Jersey, Bobenhausen will apply her extensive expertise in indoor air quality research and testing, sustainable design, and environmental health and safety management, to enhance the firm’s service offerings in these areas.
“Catherine is an accomplished professional whose background includes a decade of experience on the forefront of environmental sustainability and market transformation. Her presence on the First Environment staff enhances this rapidly expanding area of our business. Her skills and extensive industry experience support our goal of providing clients with access to unparalleled expertise,” said First Environment President Tod Delaney, Ph.D.
In 2000, New York State became the first state in the nation to promote sustainable building practices through a package of tax incentives – and Bobenhausen played a pivotal role in creating the regulations supporting it. She also contributed her expertise to NYC's internationally-recognized high performance building guidelines and served on a panel recommending high performance building guidelines for lower Manhattan.
Bobenhausen is a nationally accredited practitioner in environmental health and safety, certified in the comprehensive practice of industrial hygiene by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, and in safety by the American Board of Certified Safety Professionals. She is also an accredited professional in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) program. As a forensic certified industrial hygienist, she has successfully resolved complex odor complaints, involving volatile organic compounds, terpenes, sulfur-containing compounds, mildewcide misapplications, and ozone chemistry.
Bobenhausen has contributed to leading projects including the LEED Platinum Merrill Center (Chesapeake Bay headquarters building), 4 Times Square/Conde Nast, Battery Park City, Trump’s Riverside Plaza residential development and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Headquarters Building.
Bobenhausen is a member of the faculty of the Office of Executive Education at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design. She has instructed nationally for the U.S. Departments of Energy and Housing and Urban Development, and contributes to the Whole Building Design Guide, a web-based portal of cutting-edge design guidance for federal and military capital improvement projects. She is co-author of the Building Owners and Managers Association/New York White Paper for controlling moisture and preventing mold.
Bobenhausen received a Master of Science degree specializing in Toxicology/Environmental Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology Institute of Hazardous and Toxic Waste Management, a joint program with Rutgers Medical School and the University of Medicine and Dentistry at New Jersey’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. She received an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from State University of New York at Purchase, New York.
BCSE DELEGATION TO ATTEND INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE IN MONTREAL
Washington, DC – November 23, 2005 A delegation of senior domestic and international energy leaders from the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) will attend The Eleventh Conference of the Parties (COP-11), the annual meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), November 28 through December 9, 2005, in Montreal, Canada.
The conference is expected to be the largest intergovernmental climate conference since the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997, with a projected attendance of up to 10,000 participants. In addition to being the eleventh annual meeting of the UNFCCC, the 2005 conference marks the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol and the first ever Meeting of the Parties (signatories) to the Protocol (MOP-1).
The BCSE and its sister organizations, the United Kingdom, European and Australian BCSEs, comprise one of the three organizations that intend to offer formal testimony to the Parties of the signed agreement, if selected. In addition they are sponsoring several private industry events including Business Perspectives on the Clean Development Mechanism (Thursday, December 1) and Energy Efficiency in the Building Sector (Tuesday, December 6). The BCSE organizations also are hosting the North American Clean Energy Reception.
“Climate change is one of the most important issues of the 21st century,” said Tod Delaney, BCSE chair and president of First Environment, Inc. “The BCSE is committed to worldwide discussion and decision-making about this critical topic. Through the COP, businesses, governments, environmentalists and academia from throughout the world are able to learn and share information important to identifying solutions to critical environmental problems.”
The BCSE has been involved in global climate change negotiations since it was created immediately following the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.
For more information contact Jay Wintergreen, jtw@firstenvironment.com.
About BCSE
The BCSE is an organization dedicated to implementing market-based approaches to reducing pollution and providing a diverse, secure mix of energy resources. Through its extensive national and international contacts, the Council works on issues pertaining to climate change, international financing, clean energy tax equity and global market development. BCSE’s membership includes companies on the cutting edge of efficient, economic and environmentally sound fuels and technologies, such as natural gas, wind, solar and geothermal power, combined heat and power, insulation and fuel cells.
About the COP
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is an annual meeting of government representatives of countries who participate in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Formed in 1994, the UNFCCC sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change. It recognizes that the climate system is a shared resource whose stability can be affected by industrial and other emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
In addition to government representatives, COPs are attended by diverse stakeholders in the process as observers. These stakeholders include business, environmental advocacy groups, and academia. Participants in the COP:
- gather and share information on greenhouse gas emissions, national policies and best practices
- launch national strategies for addressing greenhouse emissions and adapting to expected impacts, including the provision of financial and technological support to developing countries
- cooperate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change
For more information please contact Jay Wintergreen, jtw@firstenvironment.com
Information about the events can be obtained at the UNFCCC website.
FIRST ENVIRONMENT OPENS CANADIAN OFFICE
PETER CLARKE, CLIMATE CHANGE EXPERT, TO LEAD NEW OPERATION
Boonton, NJ – November 16, 2005 First Environment has announced the opening of a Canadian office near Toronto that will offer services to Canadian companies looking to capitalize on new laws, regulations and programs that will help Canada comply with the Kyoto Treaty.
The new office, located at 1100 Burloak Drive, Suite 300, in Burlington, Ontario, will be led by Peter Clarke, a recognized specialist in emissions management, emissions credit trading, life cycle assessment, and sustainable manufacturing.
Tod Delaney, president of First Environment, said, “Peter Clarke brings to our Canadian operations an extraordinary level of expertise and a commitment to customer service that is the hallmark of First Environment. Under his leadership, First Environment is poised to assist Canadian companies to take advantage of market forces to reduce their impact on climate change.” First Environment will offer a full suite of environmental and engineering services in Canada.
Clarke has been trained by Environment Canada to conduct third party validation and verification studies under the country’s greenhouse gas offset system. He also is approved by the U.S. Green Building Council as a LEED-accredited professional, and trained as a lead auditor for ISO 14001.
He worked most recently for Energy Advantage, Inc., in Burlington, ON, where he managed all aspects of the company’s environmental services. He is a frequent presenter on topics such as corporate social responsibility, waste management, and the financial benefits of energy and environmental awareness. He has spoken to the Marine Fuel Efficiency and Emissions Conference, the Building Owners and Managers Association, the Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association, the Emissions Marketing Association, and the Canadian Air Transportation Association.
For more information please contact Jay Wintergreen, jtw@firstenvironment.com
FIRST ENVIRONMENT PRESIDENT TO PRESENT AT INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE IN MONTREAL
Boonton, NJ – November 16, 2005 Tod Delaney, Ph.D., president of First Environment, Inc., will present at several side events being held at the Eleventh Conference of the Parties (COP-11), the annual meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Delaney is a recognized expert in greenhouse gas management and has been involved in international environmental policy development for nearly two decades. Greenhouse gas has been determined to be one of the major contributors to global warming and climate change. First Environment is a recognized specialist in emissions verification.
In his role as chair of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), Delaney will be the moderator at an event on Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) reform. The Clean Development Mechanism is one the “flexible mechanisms” or policy tools included in the Kyoto Protocol that encourages developing countries to lower their greenhouse gas emissions through reduction projects.
During the COP, Delaney also will join an expert panel that will discuss the new voluntary international standard series ISO 14064 for greenhouse gas accounting and verification.
“Climate change is one of the most important issues of the 21st century,” said Delaney. “I’m pleased that the First Environment team and I will be able to make a contribution to the worldwide discussion and decision-making about this critical topic.”
Delaney and other senior executives from First Environment also will participate in a number of other special events sponsored by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), and the Environmental Markets Association (EMA). First Environment recently joined IETA, a non-profit organization dedicated to the establishment of effective systems for the trading of greenhouse gas emissions by businesses. First Environment will be an exhibitor at IETA’s Carbon Market Days at the COP, Dec. 3-5.
Delaney’s involvement in environmental policy and climate change includes helping to develop the standards for environmental reporting, the creation of standards for verifying greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy and sustainable practices that foster the “triple bottom line” for companies. The triple bottom line refers to a way of measuring corporate success by assessing financial, environmental and social performance. His recent efforts to promote clean development and emissions management include two speaking engagements. In August, he spoke at a conference on renewable energy, and in November, he gave a presentation in Brazil to industrial members of the Brazilian Standards Organization on the ISO 14064 Climate Change standards.
The COP 11, to be held in Montreal, Canada from November 28 to December 9, 2005, is expected to draw more than 10,000 participants, the largest number since the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997. The Kyoto Protocol went into effect this year, and the Montreal sessions also include the first Meeting of the Parties (MOP 1) involving the signatories to the treaty.
For more information please contact Jay Wintergreen, jtw@firstenvironment.com
FIRST ENVIRONMENT APPROVED AS POWER/UTILITY GHG CERTIFIER
Boonton, NJ – August 29, 2005 First Environment, Inc. has been approved to act as a power generation/electric utility certifier for the California Climate Action Registry. First Environment is one of the first firms to receive the Registry’s power/utility certifier designation.
As an approved power/utility certifier, First Environment will work with Registry members in the electric power generation, transmission and delivery sectors that are seeking independent, third-party verification of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory. Registry members voluntarily measure and report their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, the main contributors to global warming and climate change.
The power/utility protocols, which were under development for more than a year, were approved by the Registry’s board of directors in April ’05. Developed by representatives from government, industry, environmental organizations and the Registry, the new protocols will impact approximately one-quarter of the Registry’s membership.
The Registry was created by California legislature in 2000 to help companies and organizations throughout the country track, publicly report and reduce their GHG emissions. Although GHG reporting currently is voluntary, the Registry’s objective, uniform standards of measuring GHG emissions could be used to verify baseline emissions should GHG reductions be mandated in the future.
Independent organizations, including First Environment, are approved by the Registry to certify participants’ compliance with Registry protocols and standardization across industry sectors.
“First Environment’s broad GHG verification expertise and experience make us highly qualified to serve the Registry’s power/utility members,” said Tod Delaney, president, First Environment. “We look forward to our expanded role with respect to the Registry and are honored to be approved as a power/utility certifier.”
Involvement in international greenhouse gas standards development, endorsement of the CERES principles, and designation as the first environmental consulting firm in the Western Hemisphere to obtain ISO 14001 certification for its own EMS, has earned First Environment international recognition as an authority on emerging environmental issues.
First Environment has been approved to provide technical assistance and general certification for Registry members since 2002.
The California Climate Action Registry is a non-profit public/private partnership that serves as a voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) registry to protect, encourage, and promote early actions to reduce GHG emissions. Over 50 major companies, cities, government agencies and NGOs measure and publicly report their GHG emissions through the Registry. www.climateregistry.org.
For more information please contact Jay Wintergreen, jtw@firstenvironment.com
FIRST ENVIRONMENT EMS WORK NETS PRESTIGIOUS HONOR FOR AIRPORT CLIENT
Boonton, NJ – August 9, 2005 First Environment’s work on an environmental management system (EMS) for Westchester County Airport, Westchester, New York, has received a 2005 Environmental Achievement Award from the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA).
ACI-NA recognized Westchester County Airport (HPN) with an Honorable Mention for design and implementation of its ISO 14001 Airport-Wide Environmental Management System (AEMS). At the time the project was completed in late 2004, the Westchester County Airport was only the third airport in the United States to meet the internationally recognized ISO 14001 standard for environmental management systems.
“First Environment congratulates Westchester County Executive Andrew J. Spano and Westchester County Airport for receiving this honor and for its commitment to upholding ISO 14001 standards. All of us at First Environment are proud to have been a part of this important project,” said Betsy Delaney, vice president, First Environment.
The ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard is an internationally recognized and prestigious standard developed under the auspices of the International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland. Acknowledged by government organizations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as corporate and environmental organizations worldwide, the ISO 14001 standard is an effective method to improve an organization’s environmental performance.
Westchester County Airport and other award winners will be recognized at ACI-NA’s 14th Annual Conference & Exhibition in Toronto, in September.
Download the press release from Airports Council International-North America.
Go to Airports Council International-North America’s website
Read Westchester County Airport’s Environmental Policy
FIRST ENVIRONMENT AWARDED GOVERNMENT CONTRACT VEHICLE
Boonton, NJ – May 31, 2005
First Environment, Inc., announced that they have been awarded multiple Federal Supply Schedule Contracts for environmental services from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). First Environment, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, was awarded the following special item numbers (SINs): 899-1, Environmental Planning and Documentation Services; 899-2, Environmental Compliance Services; 899-3, Environmental Occupational Training Services; and 899-8, Remediation Services.
For more information on First Environment’s contract schedule, please click here.
FIRST ENVIRONMENT AUTHORIZED AS VERIFIER FOR CHICAGO CLIMATE EXCHANGE
Boonton, NJ – January 19, 2005 First Environment, Inc, a strategic environmental consulting firm, has been approved by the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) as a provider of verification services to CCX members. CCX, an international program for reducing and trading GHG emissions, is a self-regulatory, rules-based exchange. Members, from a variety of industrial sectors, legally pledge to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
First Environment’s strong expertise in GHG verification is maintained by diverse verification and certification experience and deep involvement in international GHG policy. Members of the firm are engaged in the development of ISO 14064, an international standard for the measurement, reporting and verification of GHG inventories and projects, as well as the WRI/WBCSD Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The firm is also recognized as a state approved provider to California Climate Action Registry participants, and is a charter member of the US EPA’s Climate Leaders Program.
“First Environment is pleased to join in Chicago Climate Exchange’s efforts to provide powerful incentives for organizations to join this important program,” says B. Tod Delaney, Ph.D., P.E., President of First Environment. “We look forward to providing verification services to innovative organizations who are wisely protecting themselves and the future.”
Dr. Richard L. Sandor, Chairman and CEO of CCX, said, “We congratulate First Environment on its vision and leadership in taking part in CCX. First Environment’s technical expertise and credibility will significantly further the efforts to solidify the environmental integrity of CCX.”
FIRST ENVIRONMENT HAS TWO NJDEP CLEANUP STARS ON ITS STAFF
NJDEP Cleanup Star Program Aims To Expedite Investigation and Remediation
Boonton, NJ - April 2004 Tom Bambrick and Tim Egan, two First Environment employees, have become certified by the NJDEP to serve as environmental consultants working with developers and responsible parties to expedite site cleanups and redevelopment. In February 2004, New Jersey Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell announced a new statewide program – Cleanup Stars – to speed remedial work at contaminated sites. Environmental consultants meeting rigourous education, experience and professional requirements have been pre-qualified as "Cleanup Stars”, who will investigate and remediate certain sites and areas of environmental concern throughout the state. NJDEP will ensure that the work done at Cleanup Star sites is completed in full compliance with the Technical Requirements for Site Remediation and other appropriate standards.
Cleanup Star supervision will allow uncontaminated or slightly contaminated property to quickly obtain a No Further Action letter from NJDEP, allowing the land to be sold or reused. NJDEP anticipates that homeowner underground heating oil storage tank cases, Brownfields sites on which there is no trigger for investigation of ground water contamination, discrete spills where a discharger is pursuing final cleanup approval and certain other sites are the types that may be eligible to proceed through the Cleanup Star program.
For more information, please contact Tom Bambrick at (973) 334-0003.
FIRST ENVIRONMENT ISSUES FIRST SUSTAINABILITY REPORT:
The firm leads the way in the reporting of environmental impacts of service-based organizations
Boonton, N.J., January 2004 First Environment, Inc., a strategic environmental management consulting firm, is pleased to announce the release of its first CERES Sustainability Report, which addresses environmental and social policies, systems and performance. The report was published in support of the firm's endorsement of the CERES principles, a commitment that the firm made in October 2001.
"First Environment's endorsement of the CERES Principles signifies that the firm is committed to learning by doing and leading by example", said Tod Delaney, First Environment's president. "The firm is proud to share its report with interested stakeholders and other service organizations that hope to take a similarly proactive position towards environmental management issues."
CERES is a coalition of leading U.S. environmental, investor, and advocacy groups working together for a sustainable future. The CERES Principles are a ten-point code of environmental conduct that encourages companies to commit to continual improvement in their environmental performance. The CERES Principles, endorsed by more than 70 companies including American Airlines, Coca-Cola USA, General Motors, Interface Corporation, and Ben & Jerry's Homemade, represent a voluntary commitment to continual environmental improvement that extends beyond the actions required by government regulations.
As an office-based service organization, First Environment's report addresses small business issues and the environmental impacts associated with a typical service organization. The firm's report highlights First Environment's integrated management system, which is used to address environmental, social and other sustainability issues. The report also describes First Environment's Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is an internal effort to identify, measure and establish a baseline of greenhouse gas emissions associated with First Environment activities. The report contains summaries of First Environment's greenhouse gas emissions inventory information for energy use, business travel and office supply consumption.
"While Wall Street tends to undervalue 'off-balance sheet' issues like firms' environmental management, CERES has always believed that what gets measured gets managed. With this report, First Environment is leading the way in incorporating environmental indicators like water and energy use into the overall costs and impact of doing business," said Mindy S. Lubber, executive director of CERES.
The report was written, edited, and produced entirely by First Environments staff and printed on 20% post-consumer recycled material. The compilation of information contained in the firm's first CERES report represents a major milestone in the firm's stakeholder relationship program. See First Environment's 2002 CERES Report here.
TOD DELANEY BECOMES CHAIRMAN OF BCSE
Boonton, NJ - January 2004 First Environment president B. Tod Delaney, Ph.D., P.E., DEE, has become Chairman of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE). BCSE is a member organization that focuses on the promotion of clean energy technologies as solutions to certain environmental challenges. The council works on climate change, market access, international financing, clean energy tax equity, and research and development issues.
BCSE, created in 1992 by leading companies in the energy efficiency, natural gas, renewable energy, independent power and electric utility industries, represents the first broad energy industry coalition committed to a sustainable energy future.
For more information about BCSE, please visit www.bcse.org
FIRST ENVIRONMENT LISTED BY NYSDEC AS QUALIFIED REMEDIATION CONSULTANT
Boonton NJ - April 2003 First Environment is pleased to be recognized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) as a qualified remediation consultant. As such, the firm has officially been added to the new 2003 Qualified Remediation Consultant List (QRCL).
Firms listed on the QRCL are considered technically qualified to perform remedial investigation and design engineering services to interested parties for the remediation of hazardous waste, chemicals and petroleum from contaminated sites. Additionally, First Environment was one of a few firms who's qualifications package scored highly enough to be invited to submit a proposal for providing investigation and design engineering services under a future request for proposal to be issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
First Environment's site investigation and remediation expertise is built upon years of experience and hundreds of projects ranging from simple preliminary assessments to complex groundwater remedial actions. As a result, we have developed the practical and working knowledge necessary to help clients navigate successfully through any type of complex environmental program. First Environment possesses competencies in all areas of site investigation and remediation and welcomes the opportunity to provide our services to both public and private organizations.
ANOTHER "FIRST" FOR FIRST ENVIRONMENT:
First Environment Becomes the First Provider of Greenhouse Gas Certification Services for the California Climate Action Registry
December 2002 First Environment is pleased to be recognized by the California Energy Commission (CEC) as the first official provider of certification services to participants of the California Climate Action Registry (Registry), which is the first voluntary state-based greenhouse gas (GHG) registry in the United States. First Environment welcomes the opportunity to help ensure quality and credibility as an independent third-party verifier of participant emissions reports. The firm has also been selected as a provider of technical assistance to the Registry participants. First Environment looks forward to providing guidance to Registry participants with regard to the design and implementation of GHG management systems. To ensure ethical and unbiased service, First Environment will not act as both a certifier and technical assistant to the same Registry participant.
Established by a state statute, the Registry supports organizations working to improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions through the establishment of an emissions baseline. When state, federal or international GHG regulatory regimes are implemented in the future, the State of California will attempt to ensure that Registry participants receive beneficial consideration for early emission reduction actions. Key components of the voluntary initiative are the Registry's detailed Reporting and Certification protocols, which are recognized as best practice guidance on the topics. The Registry is also unique in its requirement for third party verification of the participant submitted GHG emissions data.
With significant air consulting knowledge, competence in environmental data analysis, and substantial management system development and auditing experience, First Environment provides clients with emissions verification services that are supported by extensive and established expertise. The firm has already assisted international companies with both corporate inventory verification and GHG project planning and evaluation. This latest recognition demonstrates the firm's continued commitment to leadership in environmental management, which includes the distinction of being the first environmental consulting firm in the United States to be registered to the ISO 14001 international environmental management system standard in 1997.
For more information on First Environment's GHG Management Support and Verification services, contact Jay Wintergreen jtw@firstenvironment.com.
For more information on the Registry, visit the California Climate Action Registry website.
FIRST ENVIRONMENT PARTICIPATES IN TC 207 MEETING IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Work Begins On New Climate Change Standard
June 2002 First Environment's president, Dr. Tod Delaney attended the 10th Plenary Meeting of ISO Technical Committee 207 (TC 207) in Johannesburg, South Africa hosted by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). TC 207 is the environmental management committee appointed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and is responsible for developing the ISO 14000 series of standards and guidance documents.
Dr. Delaney attended the meeting as a delegate of the United States Technical Advisory Group (US TAG). While at the meeting, he gave a presentation entitled, "Clear Skies or Troubled Waters? - The Emergence of US Domestic Policy on Climate Change". This talk, given during a Climate Change Workshop, informed technical committee members on trends, changes and insights with regard to U.S. national climate change policy. Dr. Delaney also represented the U.S. position on a New Work Item Proposal (NWIP) to develop ``Guidelines for Measuring, Reporting and Verifying Entity and Project Level Greenhouse Gas Emissions".
The NWIP is an effort to respond to and harmonize the proliferation and divergence of climate change mitigation and GHG management initiatives occurring domestically and abroad. The NWIP is supported by an overall willingness of governments and business to take action on climate change. As such, the international delegations to ISO TC 207 voted to accept the NWIP and begin work on a new standard, presently known as the New Work Item on Climate Change (NWI-CC). Initial work on the NWI-CC occurred during the TC 207 10th Plenary Meeting in South Africa.
There are several positive aspects that could result from the creation of an international climate change standard. Potential benefits include consistency and transparency in reporting; improved risk management for identifying and managing GHG related liabilities and assets; creation of comparable GHG units; support of trade of GHG units; and facilitated participation in voluntary GHG initiatives. Groups such as the validation and verification community, organizations engaged in GHG emissions reporting, and the accreditation community hope to reap the benefits of this new standard.
Dr. Delaney is a Co-Chair of the US TAG Climate Change Task Force. He is also the American National Standards Institute's representative to the Ad Hoc Group on Climate Change of the ISO's Technical Management Board and the Chairman of ANSI's Virtual Technical Advisory Group on climate change. Through these positions, he participates in the development of protocols on how the ISO 14000 standards can be used to support global climate change initiatives.
Dr. Delaney presented an overview of climate change issues and progress resulting from this meeting on June 26, 2002 at the Conference Board 2002 Business and Sustainability Conference in New York, NY.
For more information on this and other climate change topics, subscribe to the First Environment Climate Change Update email.
