Sustainability Strategy Committee Comes to Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

The Centre for Sustainability and Excellence (CSE) and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce (CCC) have recently joined forces to create the Sustainability Strategy Committee to address the needs of sustainable development for the business community in the Chicagoland area. The Sustainability Strategy Committee serves as an outlet and think tank for CCC member organizations looking to operate in a sustainable fashion in order to meet the challenges associated with long-term growth and industry competitiveness. Representatives of CCC member organizations (corporations and institutes) will consist of Chief Sustainability Officers and other Executives whose roles are directly related to Corporate Sustainability.

The Committee is served by co-chairs Menno Enters (Director of Energy & Sustainability, Walgreens) and Nikos Avlonas (President and Founder, CSE).

“The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainability Strategy Committee will determine the business community’s role in supporting the green sector so that the Chicago-area can compete nationally and internationally,” said Ben Wollitz, Vice President of Development and Member Retention of the Chamber. “Through this Committee, the Chamber and its members can advocate for the green sector as a means of increasing economic competitiveness through addressing environmental and social challenges, while bringing together professionals to develop a shared vision for advancing the city, region and state’s green efforts.”

From the first meeting held in May, the following objectives of the Committee were drawn:

A strong business case must be made for sustainability and should include:

•     Defining what companies need to build their sustainability brand/mission
•     Assisting others who are new to sustainability principles (e.g., supply chain vendors)
•     Assurance that sustainability defines and is aligned with your company’s values
•     Training/education for long-term growth
•     Reliable and accurate communication concepts

The next meeting of the Committee will be on June 21, 2012. Committee co-chair Menno Enters will discuss methods and examples in developing a business case for sustainability.

For additional information, contact Louis Christopher at [email protected]