Making Sustainability Standard Practice
Vol. 10       No. 10       October 2016
Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View our profile on LinkedIn
In This Issue
Quick Links
Speaking companies include: Citigroup, Hershey, Biogen, GE, Ingersoll Rand, TD Bank, Avery Dennison, SAP, EY, JetBlue and more.
 The AASHE Conference  & Expo is a three-day gathering of campus sustainability leaders who come together to learn, grow and be inspired.
Upcoming Events
TopFrom the President's Desk
See You Soon As the Busy
Autumn Conference Season Unfolds
By Jeff Yorzyk,  Director of Sustainability, Green Chef, Golden, Colorado
Summer is over. The kids are back in school, and conference season is heating up! ISSP will have a presence at many conferences this month, from gatherings focused on bringing sustainability to higher ed campuses to events that will explore how to run a business more responsibly and how to build a sustainable work force and supply chain. See the full list of events where we'll be in the Out and About section below. ISSP board members will be speakers at some of these conferences and will be on hand to network and learn at others. Part of the value of ISSP membership is being able to plug into a great network of sustainability professionals. Please reach out if you are going be at one of these events and meet up with one of us while you are there! And let us know where you'll be as you plan your travel for the rest of the year.

ISSP Sustainability Professional Certification To Launch November 15th  
In the wake of highly successful betas for both the ISSP Sustainability Associate (ISSP-SA) and ISSP Certified Sustainability Professional (ISSP-CSP) exams, as well as the rollout of our new Education Partner Program, ISSP is excited to announce the public launch of the ISSP Sustainability Professional Certification on November 15th, 2016!

Candidates interested in joining our first cohort of ISSP Certified Professionals will be able to register for the ISSP-SA exam starting November 1st, while registration for the ISSP-CSP exam will begin during the first quarter of 2017. In order to be eligible for the ISSP-CSP exam, candidates must have earned the ISSP-SA credential.

Both the ISSP-SA and ISSP-CSP exams will be available via online proctoring or at one of hundreds of test centers around the world. ISSP members will receive discounted pricing on the exams.

In order to help candidates prepare for the exams, ISSP will be showcasing test prep courses offered by our Education Partners. We have also brought together a team of sustainability experts in order to develop a Study Guide that will be available for purchase before the November launch.

If you have any questions about the program or how you can get involved, email certification@sustainabilityprofessionals.org.
Profile: Beth Knight, ISSP-CSP
Beth Knight, ISSP-CSP
Welcome to the first in an occasional series of articles profiling ISSP members who have achieved the ISSP Certified Sustainability Professional designation. Featured in this installment is Beth Knight, ISSP-CSP.

Title: EY Beacon Institute, Strategy & Operations Leader
Organization: Ernst & Young LLP
Location: London, UK

Current Job Responsibilities:
I lead Operations, Markets and Business Development for EY's Beacon Institute. I have over ten years' experience as a sustainability leader and management consultant in areas related to purpose-led transformation. I work with executives, entrepreneurs and academics to deepen thought leadership, elevate the debate and accelerate the adoption of purposeful business strategy. With the Beacon Institute, I'm responsible for convening a community of 'early adopters' and 'early majority' enabling the transition to a new, inclusive model of business. I am an Ambassador for the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and member of ISSP's Advisory Council on professional standards.

Educational Background:
University of Cambridge (MSc Distinction), Sustainability Leadership
University of Exeter (BA Hons First Class), History
Awarded Foresters Scholarship

Accomplishment(s) Most Proud Of:
My daughter Joslyn obviously has to come first. However, from my work-life I am very proud of the Sustainability Leadership competencies research I have undertaken with Cambridge University, its application by the British Psychology Institute and the work I continue to do in supporting the professionalization of jobs in Sustainability.

What do you value most about your ISSP membership?
The ability to stay connected to like-minded people and follow leading practice methodology - which is always tough when you work in such a complex and fast-moving field!
Everblue to Begin Offering
Prep Courses for ISSP-SA Exam 
Are you looking for a way to improve your knowledge of core sustainability concepts prior to applying for ISSP Sustainability Associate (ISSP-SA) Certification? Starting November 1, ISSP Education Partner Everblue will begin offering ISSP-SA Exam Prep Training both online and live at various locations throughout the United States.

Details of ISSP-SA Exam Prep Training offered by Everblue:
  • Audience - anyone interested in corporate sustainability topics
  • Materials - sustainability glossary & ISSP practice exam
  • Formats - live webinar (14 hrs, $325) or in-person (2 days, $595)

Everblue specializes in providing short-course sustainability training with the industry's highest quality of curriculum, subject-matter expertise, instruction, course delivery, and customer service. As an approved education partner with many of the leading organizations in this industry, Everblue courses are aligned with the standards and certifications for "green" job seekers. For more about Everblue and its ISSP-SA Exam Prep Training, please click here

 

ISSP NYC Chapter Hosts Hunter Lovins,
Gears Up for October 20 Breakfast Meeting 
Hunter Lovins with NYC Chapter Co-Chairs Trisha Bauman & Mark Wolf
Photo: D. Stogdill
The ISSP Greater New York City Chapter welcomed the renowned Hunter Lovins on September 16th as special guest and featured speaker for the chapter's breakfast keynote series, Leaders In Sustainability. Lovins is President of Natural Capitalism Solutions, a Colorado non-profit educating global leadership in the business case for a regenerative economy, and is a member of the ISSP Sustainability Hall of Fame. Held at the NYC Bar Association in Midtown Manhattan, the event was well attended by a diverse group of sustainability professionals.

During her keynote, Lovins shared extensive knowledge and a broad analysis of the immense environmental challenges as well as the distinct opportunities within today's global economy. Presenting a thorough view of progress made and the trends underway for new solutions, Lovins elicited an intense discussion on how positive change can be initiated and scaled for environmental health, economic performance, and social equity.

The NYC Chapter was launched just one year ago this month and continues to grow rapidly through robust programming and networking events. The next Leaders In Sustainability breakfast keynote will be presented on Thursday morning, October 20th, at NYC Bar Association and features Tensie Whelan, Director of the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business and former President of the Rainforest Alliance.   

Back to top 
ISSP Alberta Chapter
To Host Inaugural Event Next Month 
In September, the ISSP Alberta Chapter held an organizational meeting attended by a number of Alberta sustainability professionals to discuss the chapter formation and begin planning an inaugural event for mid-November at the Calgary offices of Sustainability Resources, the champion and the Secretariat of ISSP's newest Chapter. This launch event will have keynote speakers and provide Alberta sustainability professionals a chance to network and share best practices. If you are a sustainability professional in Alberta, be sure to check out their website. When the date is finalized, the event will be listed on the ISSP Calendar of Events.
October 13 Webinar:
Understanding and Executing PPA's in the Private Sector 
Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 11:00am PT / 2:00pm ET  
We all want more renewable energy, but for many potential investors, developers, and users, high upfront costs and unpredictable markets can seem like overwhelming obstacles.  Enter Power Purchase Agreements - PPA's - a key tool for planning, managing, and financing electricity generation, particularly for renewable energy.  Join Archie Kasnet and Blaine Collison of Altenex, a leading energy management network, to learn more about PPA's, how they can benefit your company and clients, and how to get started down a path to more clean, renewable energy.

Our Presenters: 
Archie Kasnet
Archie Kasnet uses systems thinking to drive regenerative solutions. As Vice President for Sustainability at Altenex, Archie is responsible to economic, social, and environmental sustainability aspects of the organization, spending the majority of his time on business development initiatives. Archie also serves as the President of StratLeade Sustainability Education and is a Trustee at the Crane Institute for Sustainability.

Blaine Collison is Managing Director -
Blaine Collison
Network Services, Altenex, LLC. Blaine manages new customer origination and identifying new services for Altenex. Blaine was previously the director for the EPA's Green Power Partnership, a network of over 1500 non-utility energy buyers committed to renewable energy. 
Leadership Skills for Change Agents 
Starts Monday, November 7 at 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET 
Knowing how to make change is a one of the most valuable skills a sustainability practitioner can have. Foster your ability to make change with ISSP's November course, Leadership Skills for Change Agents, taught by expert instructor, ISSP Sustainability Hall of Famer, and legendary corporate sustainability strategist Bob Willard.

Connect the dots between timeless leadership practices and how to transform an organization to a sustainability culture. The Leadership Skills for Change Agents course prepares sustainability professionals at any level in the organizational hierarchy, or as an external consultant/advisor, to lead an organizational change to a sustainable enterprise.

Classes begin November 7th . ISSP members can audit the course for only $30! 
Back-To-School Discount:
How To Get A Job In Sustainability 
Whether you are looking for your first job in the sustainability field or seeking to advance your career, there are several ways to make yourself rise to the top of the résumé pile. In this self-study module, you will learn some of the best practices for professionals looking to begin or advance their career in the sustainability field. Topics range from career planning to gaining sustainability experience and acing the interview. Now through October 15, in celebration of the back-to-school season, ISSP members can gain access for only $30!

ISSP Members Offered Guest Passes to
Companies Vs Climate Change Event 
Companies Vs Climate Change is taking place Nov 30-Dec 2 at the Hyatt Ft Lauderdale. The purpose of the event is to bring together companies from around the world to discuss climate change and how they can work together to address it most impactfully.

CvCC is offering 30 guest passes to ISSP members who are corporate sustainability professionals at top companies. If you are in this category and would like a complimentary registration please let us know at info@sustainabilityprofessionals.org. If you have a corporate sustainability client or partner who would like to request a complimentary pass, please submit their info to us. The deadline for this offer is November 23.

If you're not interested in a guest pass, you can register using the code P100FL for a 25% discount. And check out the agenda of Fortune 500 companies who plan to attend!

Back to top 
Learn About STAR Communities 2.0
Rating System in Upcoming Webinars 
 
ISSP Organizational Member STAR Communities is a nonprofit working to evaluate, improve, and certify sustainable communities.

Over the past four years, the STAR Community Rating System's metrics and methods have inspired local leaders to make equitable investments, advance work on climate, integrate health into sustainability considerations, collaborate within and across departments, and build broader community support, both with residents and the business community.  

For the past year, STAR Communities staff, committee members, member communities, and volunteers have engaged in the first major update of the rating system and its accompanying technical guide. The culmination of this effort is Version 2.0 of the STAR Community Rating System and Technical Guide, which features new and updated metrics based on feedback from content experts and local government users.

The updated guide is available to download. You can also learn more by joining STAR Communities staff for a 10/13 webinar covering the major updates, as well as a second webinar on 11/1 featuring municipal project managers for STAR certification to explore how they approached their certification results and began the transition to implementable results.

Back to top 
ISSP Out and About:
Lots of Travel in October 
ISSP members can be found sharing their knowledge, sharpening their skills and networking at sustainability gatherings around the world. Reach out and introduce yourself to the ISSP members listed below if you too are planning to travel to one of the many sustainability conferences going on this month.

10/9-12, AASHE, Baltimore, MD, ISSP Board Member Rob Andrejewski presenting, ISSP Executive Director Maureen Hart attending, ISSP exhibiting in Booth #203
10/9-12, Sustainatopia, Boston, MA, ISSP President Jeff Yorzyk speaking
10/16-20, Urban Sustainability Directors Network Annual Meeting, Toronto, ON, ISSP Board Member Catherine Hurley presenting
10/18-10/19, Commit! Forum, New York City, ISSP Board Member Marilyn Johnson presenting

Back to top 
Tell Us Where You'll Be v ia New ISSP Meetup! 
Have you ever found yourself at a sustainability conference wondering if there were other ISSP members in the crowd?  Now there's a way to ensure you never miss a connection with a fellow member of the ISSP community!
 
ISSP now has a Meetup group that members can use to RSVP for sustainability conferences and other events and see who else from the ISSP community will be there. If you are planning to attend an event and don't see it listed on the group page, use the contact button in Meetup to let us know what conferences to add.  And if you are a savvy Meetup user and want to become a group co-organizer, let us know that as well. Come join us!


Sustainability Events Around the World   
 
The International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) is the world's leading professional association for sustainability professionals. ISSP is a member-driven association committed to moving the profession of sustainability forward through building strong networks and communities of practice.