A new council that technology giant IBM has formed with the World Environment Center (WEC) will explore how innovation in business process and technology can solve sustainability challenges involving water, materials, energy, infrastructure and logistics.
The Innovations in Environmental Sustainability Council is comprised of global companies such as Boeing, CH2M HILL, The Coca-Cola Company, The Dow Chemical Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, General Motors, Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies and The Walt Disney Company.
Council members are aiming to incorporate sustainability more deeply into their business strategies and corporate practices. They can then apply what members learn from the council within their own organisations to become more efficient and effective, as well as to develop opportunities for growth and innovation.
“As part of IBM’s broad based commitment to environmental leadership, we are always interested in how today’s best practices can transform sustainability in business,” said Wayne Balta, IBM’s vice-president of Corporate Environmental Affairs and Product Safety. “Innovation goes a long way to accelerate sustainability, and we look forward to collaborating with other like-minded companies.”
Dr Terry F Yosie, WEC’s president and CEO, added that the establishment of the Innovations for Environmental Sustainability Council represents another commitment by IBM and other sustainability leaders to integrate their innovation and market leadership capabilities with the need to provide solutions to challenges facing society.
“The best practices and value achieved provide great opportunities for implementation on a global scale,” Yosie said.
The council’s first meeting is scheduled for 7-8 February in Orlando, Florida.
