ASBC Releases The Power of Sustainable
Purchasing Report
Purchasing has the power to help mitigate environmental damage, reduce income inequality, and build strong local economies, but only if we make the commitment to invest in our future by investing in sustainable companies. ASBC’s new report, The Power of Sustainable Purchasing, explains how organizations are moving beyond simply “green” purchasing to implement innovative programs that promote a sustainable economy for all. The report makes the case for broadening the definition of sustainability in purchasing to include five criteria: environmental sustainability, buying locally, supporting worker ownership, implementing high-road workplace practices, and encouraging supplier diversity. The report also explores options in public and private purchasing, supply aggregation models, and innovative tools to reduce barriers to purchasing more sustainably. The ASBC report shows that buyers who choose sustainable procurement options enhance local growth, harness the potential of underutilized communities, reduce income inequality, and mitigate the damage of climate change – all while making purchases their operations need. Download the report.
Want to learn more? Join our webinar with the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council on June 5 as we will discuss the report and some innovative tools and policies that promote sustainable purchasing. Register.
What’s New
We Are Still In – and We Are Taking Action
On Earth Day, the We Are Still In coalition launched a new campaign to help organizations of all sizes and types commit to climate action. ASBC worked with the coalition and other partners to develop the commitments for small and medium businesses, creating the first common platform for firms in these sizes and all sectors to publicly commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and curbing climate damage. ASBC members and partners are some of the first adopters, with EcoAct, EcoPlum, and the Sustainable Furnishing Council all making commitments. New Belgium Brewing’s efforts also were acknowledged when they were named a founding member of the Leaders Circle. We expect many more businesses will sign up over the summer.
Visit the website today to tell your story about what you are already doing to curb climate change and to commit to further action.
ASBC Continues Mobilizing Businesses for Net Neutrality
ASBC is encouraged by the Senate Democrats’ success in passing the Congressional Review Act (CRA) on May 16, with the support of three Republican Senators. We issued a letter of support on May 9 in partnership with the Main Street Alliance and Small Business Majority and signed by business members of all three organizations. On May 8, ASBC released The Business Case for Net Neutrality, outlining the threats that loss of net neutrality pose to businesses of all sizes and industries. We also hosted a webinar with ASBC member Etsy, Engine, and Public Knowledge to discuss these threats in more detail. You can download the business case and sign on to the campaign at netneutrality.asbcouncil.org.
Click to Tweet: .@SenMarkey and @SenSchumer: Businesses and @ASBCouncil thank you for fighting to restore #netneutrality protections.