GEMI has partnered with Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to develop a “Guide to Successful Corporate/NGO Partnerships,” which we anticipate will be launched to the public in the summer of 2008.  As social and environmental performance becomes increasingly important to the private sector and external stakeholders alike, some companies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are benefiting from collaborating rather than clashing around "green issues."  This guide will seek to educate the public and private sectors on the potential for positive environmental and economic success through collaboration between corporations and NGOs. 

GEMI is a partner in the Business Roundtable’s S.E.E. Change initiative, which was launched in 2005.  Seeking to leverage the power of business as a force for good, Business Roundtable launched a sustainable growth initiative encouraging leading U.S. companies to embrace business strategies and projects that measurably improve Society, the Environment and the Economy. S.E.E. Change, encourages CEOs of the nation’s leading companies to commit to business strategies that combine traditional corporate goals of higher profit and lower cost with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and social improvement. Roundtable companies will be asked to set challenging goals that contribute to both the bottom line and improvements to the quality of life – now and for future generations.

On April 17, 2008, The Business Roundtable launched “SEE”ing Change: 2008 Progress Report.  32 leading U.S. companies reported on their ongoing sustainability efforts the Roundtable's S.E.E. Change initiative. Member companies, representing virtually every sector of the economy, outlined their efforts to achieve real environmental and social changes through their commitments to sustainable business practices.  The Report may be found at: http://seechange.businessroundtable.org/PDF/SEEing_Change_2008_Progress_Report.pdf. 

Also a three-minute video clip about the Report may be found at: http://seechange.businessroundtable.org/VidPlayer.aspx?fid=9&tid=1

GEMI partnered with the National Council for Science and the Environment’s (NCSE) Council of Environmental Dean’s and Directors (CEDD) to conduct workshops to provide CEDD members with an understanding of GEMI and its tools for inclusion in course curriculum.  Thirty-five schools attended the workshops. 

Three CEDD members have incorporated GEMI tools in course curriculum:

• Barnard College used the Transparency: A Path to Public Trust in an undergraduate first year seminar.  View a summary presentation of the course
• Colleges of the Fenway, used the Forging New Links in an environmental undergraduate Forum course.  View a summary presentation of the course
• University of South Carolina used the SD Planner^TM in a graduate IMBA course.  View a summary presentation of the course

NOTE: GEMI will not be conducting any workshops in 2008, but it will continue to work with academic organizations to share the tools for course work.  

GEMI is supporting the upcoming Lean and Green Summit being held on July 17-18, 2008 in Boulder, CO. 

Members of GEMI are eligible for a 20% discount off registration for this event. Simply quote “GEMI discount” when registering.  To register and view the full program details, please visit: www.leandandgreensummit.com