Benchmarking

Green rankings and benchmarking at a global level

Content on this page:

Global benchmarking sites and recourses
Comparing countries
Comparing national goals and targets
Comparing states
Comparing cities
Comparing buildings
Comparing companies
Comparing universities
Comparing restaurants
Comparing cars
Ranking videos and films
Articles about benchmarking

Related page:
Climate Safety Heroes



Global benchmarking sites and resources


Global Climate Leadership Review

In 2012, the Climate Institute in Sydney, Australia, published the first of what will be an annual review giving insights into leadership in carbon competitiveness and climate co-operation between nations. On 12 March 2013, the second review was published:
Global Climate Leadership Review 2013 (PDF)
Global Climate Leadership Review 2012 (PDF)

Cover of Global Climate Leadership Review 2013Cover of Global Climate Leadership Review 2012

 


“France, Japan, China, South Korea and the United Kingdom are currently best positioned to prosper in the low-carbon economy”

Global Climate Leadership Review 2013

Since the report of 2012, China has replaced Germany on this Top 5 list.

 

Green Rankings was launched in April 2008 as information resource and publisher of information on the relative environmental impacts of different product manufacturers, service providers, governments, schools and organisations. “We believe these Green Rankings are the first step to evaluating and driving environmental improvements.”
» greenrankings.com

Wiki-Solar ranks top solar developers:
“The interactive information source on major global photovoltaic power projects” released a list of the top 20 photovoltaic project installers globally. Wiki-Solar was created to track the development of large scale solar power projects around the world.
» wiki-solar.org

CDP Cities provides a platform for city governments to report their greenhouse gas emissions and other climate change related information to the public. In 2012, 73 global cities made use of CDP’s platform which is open to any city government, regardless of size.
» cdproject.net

Understand Solar has produced a comprehensive source of information on solar panel cost in the US.
» UnderstandSolar.com

Renewable energy benchmarking: The International Renewable Energy Alliance (REN Alliance) has published this report which is full of examples of how the world is in the process of making the transition to renewable energy sources, and that China, for example – in contrast to the view most people have of the country – is one of the countries in the world that currently is taking the boldest steps to invest heavily in renewable energy. The United States is also at the top of the statistics. Even India. See for example the graphs on page 45 and page 50.



Comparing countries

The greenest country in the world
2016: Finland’s position as the greenest country in the world is a consequence of its continued commitment to achieving a carbon-neutral society. The country’s government is devoted to not exceeding “nature’s carrying capacity” by 2050.
Finland has a legally binding goal of consuming 38% of its final energy from renewable sources by 2020. It already produces nearly two-thirds of its electricity from renewable or nuclear power sources. The country stands as an example to the rest of the world.

RANK – COUNTRY – SCORE
1 – Finland – 90.68
2 – Iceland – 90.51
3 – Sweden – 90.43
4 – Denmark – 89.21
11 – New Zealand – 88.00
12 – United Kingdom – 87.38
13 – Australia – 87.22
26 – United States of America – 84.72
30 – Germany – 84.26
95 – Saudi Arabia – 68.63
180 – Somalia – 27.66

» Source: www.atlasandboots.com

 


Green Innovation Index 2015

The Green Innovation Index from next10.org is a great resource for comparing countries

Short tons of coal consumed per person: Australians stand out as the world’s most coal-addicted

» Source: www.next10.org

Measured per person, Australians are the largest carbon dioxide emitters in the world

» Source: Climate Change Authority, World Recourses Institute 2011 via www.abc.net.au

 


country-carbon-footprint2004_560

Though the figures are a decade old, this is a useful carbon footprint comparative tool:
www.carbonfootprintofnations.com





climate-change-perfor560

Climate change: Denmark in the best-performing slot, followed by Sweden and Britain. Australia named the worst-performing industrial country in the world.

This CCPI report, produced by the thinktank Germanwatch and Climate Action Network Europe, covers the top 58 emitters of greenhouse gases in the world and about 90% of all energy-related emissions.

“It is interesting that the bottom six countries in the ranking – Russia, Iran, Canada, Kazakhstan, Australia and Saudi Arabia – all have a lot of fossil fuel resources. It is a curse.”

Jan Burck, report author at Germanwatch

» Source: www.theguardian.com


whohasthemostambitiousRET56

 


The Climate Change Performance Index

Results 2015

clim-perf-index-table1-560

clim-perf-index-table2-560

The Climate Change Performance Index is an instrument designed to enhance transparency in international climate politics. Its aim is to put political and social pressure on those countries that have, up until now, failed to take ambitious action on climate protection. It also aims to highlight those countries with best-practice climate policies.

Since 10 years now, The Climate Change Performance Index has kept on bringing awareness forward.

Published by Climate Action Network Europe and Germanwatch. Written by Jan Burck, Franziska Marten, and Christoph Bals.

» Download the report on www.selectra.co.uk (PDF)

 


Top10-GSGemitters

» Click to see interactive graphic on www.climatecentral.org


co2emissions-map-world560

» www.wri.org


Global Green Economy Index

2014 rankings of the world’s greenest countries. Source: Dual Citizen, a U.S.-based consulting service. Graphics: OneGreenPlanet

In October 2014, the private U.S.-based consultancy Dual Citizen LLC, pulished its 4th edition of the ‘Global Green Economy Index’ which provides an in-depth look at how 60 countries and 70 cities are doing in developing more environmentally friendly economies, in actual performance and in how experts perceive their performance.

Sweden and Norway headed up the list of actual performance, with Costa Rica ranking third, inside the top 15 for the first time, and Germany and Denmark rounding out the top five.

Poland, Senegal, Qatar, Vietnam and Mongolia bring up the rear in slots 56-60, with China just above them at 55. The U.S. came in close to the middle, ranked at 28.

» Global Green Economy Index 2014: www.dualcitizeninc.com/GGEI-Report2014.pdf


clean-energy-investment-by-count2013

Report: Who’s Winning the Clean Energy Race?

The annual Pew Charitable Trusts report, “Who’s Winning the Clean Energy Race?”, shows that China is the world leader in clean energy investment with $54 billion in investments in renewables in 2013, well above total U.S. investment of $36.7 billion.

On a global basis, 87 GW of clean power was added in 2013, and cumulative installed capacity now surpasses 735 GW.

Germany has the most installed solar of any country in the world, with 35.5 GW.

The world’s largest offshore wind project, the 630-MW London Array, was completed in 2013.

Australia ranked 10th in clean energy investment – with $4.4 billion.

» Read more on: www.pewenvironment.org

» Download the report in PDF-format on:
www.pewenvironment.org


Int-Energy-Efficiency-Scorecard

The International Energy Efficiency Scorecard

The International Energy Efficiency Scorecard ranks the world’s largest economies on their energy efficiency policies and programs. The rankings include Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.

Thirty-one different energy efficiency indicators have been analyzed for each economy ranked in the report. The rankings are determined by scoring out of 100 possible points. Points can be earned in four different categories, including buildings, industry, transportation, and national effort, which measures overall or cross-cutting indicators of energy use at the national level.

» See on: www.aceee.org

 


The Climate Change Performance Index 2014

A comparison of the 58 top CO2 emitting nations
CCPI-components560
CCPI-climate-action-ranking

The United Kingdom became the second highest ranked country behind Denmark on an international list ranking the 58 top carbon-emitting nations in how they tackle their greenhouse-gas emissions. The index was produced by the Europe-based Germanwatch and Climate Action Network. Australia ended up at the bottom of the list, ahead of only Canada, Iran, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.

» More information about the index: germanwatch.org


“If the whole world did what Scotland is doing, an enormous climate change catastrophe could be averted. Scotland is demonstrating that going completely green rapidly enough to keep global warming to a 2 degrees Centigrade increase is entirely possible. It is a matter of political will, not of technology or expense.”
Juan Cole

 


top10solar-countries2013

 


Renewable-Energy-Production-of-Electricity-4-incl-Scotland

Countries with High Electricity Production from Renewable Energy Sources

Iceland 100%: This is from hydroelectric and geothermal.
Norway 98%: Norway produces more energy than the country consumes. Much of this is due to hydroelectric power.
Paraguay 90%: This is from hydropower at Itaipu dam, which also provides 19% of Brazil’s electricity.
Denmark 45%
Scotland 40%
Germany 31%: This is based on the first half of 2014.
Portugal 25%
Spain 22%
China 17%
United States 13%

» Source: CleanTechnica, August 2014


Low-Carbon Leaders in the world 2012

Click to see the report - Global Climate Leadership Review 2012

Who is spending and investing most?

Click to see the report - Global Climate Leadership Review 2012

Biggest improvements since 1995

Click to see the report - Global Climate Leadership Review 2012

Carbon Prices around the world in 2012-2015

Click to see the report - Global Climate Leadership Review 2012



co2prices-2013

 

renewable-electricity-ranke

» Source: New York Times, 23 March 2013



How the world burns: fuel consumption compared
Which countries depend the most on coal and gas? Who’s going green? A Guardian graphic looks at ten countries’ comparative reliance on the six main fuels.

 

 

Top 10 in EU – Renewable energy share in 2010

1 Sweden 49.1 %
2 Finland 33.0 %
3 Latvia 32.6 %
4 Austria 30.1 %
5 Portugal 24.6 %
6 Estonia 24.3 %
7 Romania 23.6 %
8 Denmark 22.2 %
9 Slovenia 19.9 %
10 Lithuania 19.7 %



Top 10 ambitions for renewable energy within EU – goals for 2020

1 Sweden 49 %
2 Latvia 40 %
3 Finland 38 %
4 Austria 34 %
5 Portugal 31 %
6 Denmark 30 %
7 Estonia 25 %
8 Slovenia 25 %
9 Romania 24 %
10 Lithuania 23 %

» Source: Europe-Commission


Ernst & Young – All renewables index

Ernst & Young’s quarterly ‘renewable energy country attractiveness indices’ ranked China in top in February 2013:

1 China
2 Germany
3 USA
4 India
5 France
6 UK
7 Japan
8 Canada
9 Italy
10 Australia
24 Denmark

»  Download pdf: Renewable_energy_country_attractiveness_indices.pdf of February 2013

»  Read more: ey.com


Saudi Arabia: Heavy investments in renewables

Saudi Arabia is jumping headlong into renewable energy with plans to install more solar and wind power in the next 20 years than the rest of the world has installed to date.
»  Read more: renewableenergyworld.com, April 2013

Benchmarking waste management in EU countries

Heroes of Waste Managem850

‘Managing municipal solid waste – a review of achievements in 32 European countries’ – published by European Environment Agency in March 2013.

Waste per capita in European countries

the-end-of-fossil-fuels_infogr

 



Comparing national goals and objectives


23 September 2014: At the UN Climate Summit in New York, Samoa, Tuvalu, Costa Rica and Denmark pledged to speed up the transition from fossil fuels to 100 per cent renewable energy. Germany, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, Ethiopia and Iceland pledged to go carbon neutral by 2050, while China, the world’s largest carbon polluter, signaled that it intends to peak emissions as soon as possible.

• Mexico pledged 33% renewables by 2018
• St. Lucia is shooting for 35% from renewables by 2020
• Nicaragua has a goal of 90% renewables by 2020
• Bangladesh aims at running 100% on solar by 2021
• Chile committed to 45% renewables by 2025
• Barbados committed to 29% renewables by 2029
• Iceland and Norway are already 100% renewable energy for electrical needs.
Several nations plan to join that club:
• Costa Rica has a goal of 100% renewables by 2016
• Tuvalu stated goal of 100% renewables by 2020
• Denmark restated a goal of 100% renewables by 2050


Countries, states and communities which have acchieved or pledged carbon neutrality include:

Tokelau, an island nation in the South Pacific, in October 2012 became the first country in the world to produce 100% of its electricity from the sun.

Tuvalu and the Cook Islands, for instance, have pledged to supply 100% of their countries’ energy by 2020, and so has Scotland, rich in tidal, wave & offshore wind power: Scotland aims for 100% renewable energy by 2020.

Bangladesh aims to become the world’s first nation 100% powered by solar by 2021.

Local Governments across the province are beginning to declare Carbon Neutrality. For instance, the Canadian province British Columbia in June 2011 announced they had officially become the first state jurisdiction in North America to achieve carbon neutrality in public sector operations.

Germany’s windiest area, Schleswig-Holstein set out to reach 100% renewable energy by 2014.

• The Indonesian island Sumba is set to be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2025 via waste biogas, solar, wind and hydro

• Pacific Ocean island nation of the Cook Islands plans for 100% renewable energy by 2020.

• Pacific Ocean island nations Fiji and Tonga strived for 100% renewable energy including transportation already by 2013.

 Tokelau pushed for 100% solar energy already by 2010.

Costa Rica aims to be fully carbon neutral by 2021. The first three months of 2015, Costa Rica has a goal of being un on 100% renewables already by 2016. Costa Rica was already powered 100% with renewable energy.

• The East African republic Djibouti plans for 100% renewable energy by 2020

Greenland has set a goal to become energy selfsufficient based on 100% renewable energy by 2014.

Norway declared in January 2008 a goal of being carbon neutral by 2030. Norway is already using 100% renewable energy for electrical needs.

Iceland already has over 99% of electricity production and almost 80 per cent of total energy production comes from hydropower and geothermal.

Denmark aims to be fully carbon neutral by 2050. The Danish capital Copenhagen aims to acchieve the same by 2025.

Paupa New Guinea has pledged to become carbon neutral before 2050.

Vatican: In July 2007, Vatican City announced a plan to become the first carbon-neutral state in the world.

Nicaragua has a goal of 90 per cent renewables by 2020.

The Marshall Islands has pledged a 40 per cent reduction in CO2-emissions — below 2009 levels — and 20 per cent indigenous renewable energy by 2020.

Chile has committed to 45 per cent renewables by 2025.

St. Lucia is shooting for 35 per cent from renewables by 2020.

Mexico has pledged 33 per cent renewables by 2018.

 

» Read more: Wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_neutrality

By 2020…

Scotland, with about 5.3 million residents, is on the fast track to using 100 per cent renewable energy by 2020 with expectations of reaching the halfway point by 2015. In 2012, Scotland got 40 per cent of its electricity from renewables, up from 24 per cent in 2010.
• Half of Denmark’s electricity will be provided by wind mills in 2020.
• The Norwegian government set a target of generating more than 60 per cent of its electricity through renewable resources by 2020.
Germany plans to have reduced climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent compared to reference year 1990.

By 2025…

• Los Angeles, the second largest city in the US, will stop using coal fired power by 2025 and replace it with cleaner energy sources, making it the first large city in the United States to have carbon-free energy.
Copenhagen in Denmark aims to become the first carbon neutral capital in the world by 2025.

 

By 2030…

Norway declared in January 2008 a goal of being carbon neutral by 2030.
Hawaii has a goal of reaching 40 per cent renewable power by 2030.
Germany plans to have reduced climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent compared to reference year 1990.
Denmark’s Minister for Environment Martin Lidegaard claimed in 2013 that Denmark has “the world’s most ambitious energy-agreement” which will give a 34 per cent CO2 reduction in 2030.

 

By 2050…

Denmark has decided to lead the transition to a green growth economy and plans to be independent of fossil fuels by 2050, allegedly as the first country in the world.
• The EU has set a goal of an 80-95 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Germany plans to have reduced climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95 per cent compared to reference year 1990.



Comparing states


The Best and Worst American States for Eating Locally

Vermont takes the top spot in the 2013 Locavore Index. Vermont has a goal of generating 90% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050.

State ranking
Here is the 2013 Strolling of the Heifers Locavore Index ranking of the states.
The number in parentheses is the 2012 rank.

1. Vermont (1)
2. Maine (4)
3. New Hampshire (13)
4. North Dakota (7)
5. Iowa (2)
6. Montana (3)
7. Oregon (14)
8. Wyoming (9)
9. Wisconsin (15)
10. Idaho (10)

»  See more: strollingoftheheifers.com/locavore-index-2013

 



Comparing cities


10greenestcities

» Siemens’ Green City Index:  www.siemens.com


Ten ‘greenest’ cities worldwide

Mother Nature Network has come up with a list of the ten ‘greenest’ cities worldwide, i.e. those leading the world in environmental sustainability and healthy and pleasant urban living. If that makes you think of solid recycling programs, green public spaces like parks and community gardens, or ample bike lanes, great, though those features and initiatives are only the beginning. According to the list-makers, the top ten ‘greenest’ cities have earned their position by doing something truly inspiring — or responsible, such as actively fighting climate change on a large-scale, and thus setting an example for the rest of the world. Apart from that, cities were chosen for exemplary use of renewable energy, promotion of green lifestyles, green laws that protect the environment, and innovative strategies for new green communities. And the top 10 are:

1. Reykjavik, Iceland
2. San Francisco, California
3. Malmö, Sweden
4. Vancouver, Canada
5. Portland, Ore
6. Curitiba, Brazil
7. Copenhagen, Denmark
8. Stockholm, Sweden
9. Hamburg, Germany
10. Bogotá, Colombia

Read why these cities have been chosen and ranked in this particular order on Mother Nature Network’s homepage: Global green cities.


Comment by Florian Kaefer, sustainablefutures.info:

Being recognised as a ‘green’ city can be a very strong competitive advantage and tool to attract environmentally conscious, talented people, investment and tourists. It strikes me though that most of those cities seem to be situated in areas with relatively cool climate or looming natural threats, such as San Francisco’s constant fear of the next big earthquake. Neither necessarily makes those cities the most liked or livable.
Add Melbourne to that list, as there seems to be quite a lot going on there to green the city, at least in comparison with other australasian ones… What do you think?


vancouver100pct

Can a city do what a nation can’t?

70 per cent of the world’s CO2-emissions are produced by our cities. We use fossil fuels to electrify, heat our buildings and power our vehicles. So cities have a major role to play in providing solutions.

Here are some examples of cities around the world which are heading for – or already are powered by – 100% renewables:

Apeldoorn in the Netherlands will be 100% renewable energy by 2020. Read more

Aspen in Colorado: 100% renewable electricity by 2015.

Bonaire in the Caribbean: 100% renewable energy by 2015.

Burlington in Vermont in USA with 42,000 residents (and 13 million tourists annually) are powered by 100% renewable electricity. Read more

Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, is aspiring to become the first carbon neutral capital in the world by 2025.

Feldheim in Germany, home for around 200 people, has gone completely off the grid, switching to 100 percent local, renewable energy.

Frankfurt, Germany: Zero carbon emissions by 2050

Georgetown, Texas, USA: Aims for 100% renewable energy (solar, wind) by 2017. Read more

Greensburg, Kansas, USA: Powered by 100% wind energy. Read more

Isle of Wight, England: 100% self-sufficient and renewable by 2020

Kisielice in Poland, a village with 2,300 residents, has been powered on 100% renewables since September 2014.

La Paz in Mexico – population: 215,000 people – is allegedly soon going to be powered 100% by solar energy. Read more

London, United Kingsom: In May 2007, the Mayor of London laid down a gauntlet: 60% cuts in carbon emissions by 2025 – which is 25 years ahead of the United Kingdom’s national target.

Los Angeles in the United States plans to stop using coal fired power by 2025 and replace it with cleaner energy sources, making it the first large city in the United States to have carbon-free energy.

Munich in Germany: 100% renewable electricity by 2025.

San Diego in California, the United States: will be 100% renewables by 2035, according to Todd Gloria, the San Diego City Council’s president.

San Jose in California: 100% renewable electricity by 2022

San Francisco in California: 100% renewable electricity by 2020. Read more

Munich in Germany is targeting a 100% clean electricity supply by 2025. Read more

Thisted municipality in Thy Region in Denmark covers an area of 1,093 km2 and has approximately 46,000 residents. In 2012, 92% of the power consumption in Thisted came from its local wind turbines.

Vancouver, Canada: In April 2015, the city’s council voted to run their beautiful city with 100% clean, renewable energy. Read more

 

Australian cities and shires

Byron Bay is aiming to reach a “net zero emissions” target that will see it become the first regional shire in Australia to achieve that goal. Read more

Canberra, the Australian capital, in Australian Capital Territory, has legislated an ambitious target to source 90% of its power from renewable sources by 2020, a quarter of which will come from wind energy. Read more

Canning, a Perth sururb, wants to lead by example and help minimise the impact of climate change and is undertaking exemplary projects and practices aimed at reducing and eventually eliminating fossil fuel dependence. See video

• Fremantle demonstrates leadership in sustainability as the first carbon neutral local government in Western Australia.

Leichhardt Council of the inner-west Sydney city of Leichhardt has committed to becoming 100 per cent renewable by 2025.

• Lismore City in New South Wales is looking to a range of innovative measures as part of its plan to go 100% renewables by 2023.

Melbourne in Australia is aspiring to become The Carbon-Free Capital of the World. The City of Melbourne has been certified ‘carbon neutral’ as part of its undertaking to become one of the world’s most sustainable cities. The carbon neutrality marked a major sustainability milestone, wrote Lowcarbonaustralia.com.au on 19 March 2013.
Melbourne has set a number of specified goals to reduce emissions: By 25 per cent from business-as-usual levels in its commercial sector by 2020, by 20 per cent in residential sector by 2020, by 19 per cent from energy production by 2020. By 20 per cent from public transport by 2020, 15 per cent from cars, and 100 per cent increase in use of bicycles. Read more

• Moreland Council in Melbourne’s inner north with a Zero Carbon Evolution strategy to reduce community GHG emissions by 22 per cent by 2020 and is the first council in Australia to divest.

Newstead in Victoria, Australia, is soon powered entirely by the sun. The town is planning to convert to 100% clean power already by 2017. Read more

Sydney in Australia has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent below 2006-levels by 2030. This includes a target of 30 per cent of electricity from renewable sources. Read more

Tasmania, the island south of the Australian mainland, aims for 100% renewable energy by 2020

Tyalgum, a Northern Rivers town in New South Wales has plans to take back the grid and run 100% on renewables, starting with building a demonstration facility for all things sustainable.

Uralla in northern New South Wales, Australia – population 2,300 – is moving the entire town, which features several foundries and other metal manufacturing business, towards a Zero Net Energy Town, powered 100% on renewable energy. ABCuralla.nsw.gov.autheaustralian.com.au

• The town of Yackandandah near Wangaratta in north-east Victoria is aiming to become Australia’s first town to operate off 100% renewable energy by 2022. Read more




» RenewEconomy – 23 September 2014:
Australia can get to zero carbon emissions, and grow the economy
A report, ‘Pathways to Deep Decarbonisation in 2050: How Australia can prosper in a low carbon world’ (PDF) finds that Australia can reach net zero emissions by 2050 while the economy continues to grow at a similar rate as today — 2.4% of GDP per year.

 

“No coal or gas is burned here, it’s all clean.”
Joachim Gebauer, Feldheim, Germany

A 60-minute drive south of Berlin and home to about 125 people, Feldheim is Germany’s first and only energy self-sufficient village and attracts both international energy experts and politicians. Nations as diverse as North Korea and the United States have sent delegations to visit a tiny village in former East Germany to see how it has transformed the way it uses energy.

» Reuters – 25 March 2013:
German village offers blueprint for rural green energy

 


» Mother Nature Network – 12 january 2015:
10 cities aiming for 100 percent clean energy
As nation states delay, these cities have ambitious renewable energy goals.

 


10 most-at-risk cities

Climate change vulnerability index 2013 — Most at risk cities

1. Dhaka, Bangladesh
2. Manila, the Philippines
3. Bangkok, Thailand
4. Yangon, Myanmar
5. Jakarta, Indonesia
6. Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
7. Kolkata, India
8. Mumbai, India
9. Chennai, India
10. Lagos, Nigeria

This map is part of a Climate Change Vulnerability Index, which forms a central pillar of the Maplecroft’s 5th annual Climate Change and Environmental Risk Atlas:

risk-cities-top10

The map ranks the 10 cities which are most at risk from the changing temperatures and weather systems that are forecast to take hold in the coming years.

» Source: Maplecroft, November 2012

View full map [PDF 1.55 MB]


Comparing American cities

This 2014-report ranks America’s 34 largest cities on what they are doing to save energy and costs in five key areas.

» The City Energy Efficiency Scorecard

 


Green City Governments: Top 30 list of “early adapters”

The US EPA has a Top 30 list of City Governments who are heading for 100 per cent clean energy — so any city can learn from these early adapters:

» www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists



Comparing buildings

The 10 Greenest Buildings in the World

“It’s all about sustainability, LEED certification, environmental honors, structures under construction and a little dreaming for the future. And though the title of “Greenest Building of the World,” is based somewhat on a subjective notion, there is much to be said about the following group of buildings. Some for living, some for working and all for taking care of our planet, in one way or another.”

Easy Ways To Go Green – 6 February 2009:
The 10 Greenest Buildings in the World

 



Comparing companies


Carbon clean companies

“The fossil-free economy is already profitable.”
Carbon Clean 200

The Carbon Clean 200 list ranks the largest publicly listed companies by their total clean energy revenues, with a few added environmental, social, and governance screens to help ensure the companies are indeed building the infrastructure and services needed for what many have called the “Great Energy Transition” in a just and equitable way.

Notably, this new report highlights the fact that clean energy investments greatly outperform stagnating fossil fuel stocks.

Siemens AG-Reg, Toyota Motor and Schneider Electric are the Top Three of the 2017-list. Two Danish companies are doing well: Vestas is number 7, Dong Energy is no 13.

» Read more:
www.clean200.org

» Download the report:
www.clean200.org/report-form

 


Newsweek: The world’s greenest companies – 2012

For Newsweeks’ fourth annual look at the most environmentally-friendly companies, they compared the world’s largest 500 companies according to their environmental footprint, management (policies, initiatives, controversies), and transparency. They partnered with Trucost and Sustainalytics, two leading research companies. The methodology was developed in consultation with an advisory panel of experts in corporate sustainability. The resulting ranking is the most comprehensive available on the topic.

1. Santander Brasil
Industry: Financials. Headquarters: Brazil

2. Wipro
Industry: Information Technology & Services. Headquarters: India.

3. Bradesco
Industry: Financials. Headquarters: Brazil

4. IBM
Industry: Information Technology & Services. Headquarters: United States

5. National Australia Bank
Industry: Financials. Headquarters: Australia

6. BT Group
Industry: Telecommunications. Headquarters: United Kingdom

7. Munich Re
Industry: Financials. Headquarters: Germany

8. SAP
Industry: Information Technology & Services. Headquarters: Germany

9. KPN
Industry: Telecommunications. Headquarters: Netherlands

10. Marks & Spencer Group
Industry: Retailers. Headquarters: United Kingdom

Newsweek: The world’s greenest companies – 2012

Gallery

 


ClimateCounts.org Annual ‘COMPANY SCORECARD REPORT’

Comparing companies on their commitment to tackling global warming

ClimateCounts.org looks at how serious companies are about stopping climate change — and how they compare to their sector competitors. The annually updated scorecard reflects the self-reported efforts of companies to address climate change — or avoid it altogether.

The scorecard gives consumers a tool for making informed purchasing and investing decisions based on how well major name brands are addressing climate change.

2012-2013 SECTOR LEADERS
» Airlines: Lufthansa
» Apparel/Accessories: Nike
» Banks: Bank of America
» Beer: Heineken
» Consumer Shipping: UPS
» Food Products: Unilever
» Food Services: Starbucks
» Home and Office: Herman Miller
» Hotels: Marriott
» Household Products: L’Oreal
» Internet/Social Media: Google
» Large Appliances: AB Electrolux
» Media: News Corporation
» Pharmaceuticals: Johnson & Johnson
» Technology (formerly Electronics): IBM
» Toys & Children’s Products: Hasbro

climatecounts.org

 


Cool IT Challenge

On 24 April 2013, Greenpeace released their sixth Cool IT Leaderboard which ranked 21 technology leaders to see if they’re fulfilling that promise or not.

The IT sector is uniquely positioned to help the world shift to a prosperous clean energy economy, and the Cool IT Challenge is urging IT companies to put forth innovation, mitigate their own carbon footprint, and advocate for significant policy changes in the mutual interest of business and the climate.

Greenpeace – 24 April 2013:
Cisco, Google tie for first in latest Greenpeace ranking of IT sector climate leadership
By David Pomerantz

The Guardian – 6 August 2013:
Google – leading the way on renewable energy
Despite controversial funding of climate deniers and a management team with a fleet of jets, Google is leading the way on greening its energy supplies. By Felicity Carus

 


Which US company uses most Green Power?

The Environmental Protection Agency has released the updated list of the top 50 organisations in the US that get their electricity from ‘green power’.

The rankings are listed in order of annual green power usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and ‘green power’ is defined as renewable energy sources with the highest environmental benefits: solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, some biomass, and low-impact small hydro.

the-greenest-USorganizations

RenewableEnergyWorld.com – 18 April 2013:
The Greenest Organizations in the US: Who Uses the Most Renewable Energy?
By James Montgomery


Which companies are doing the most solar?

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Vote Solar, these are the Top 10 U.S. companies in terms of on-site solar capacity deployed:

Walmart
• Costco
Kohl’s Department Stores
IKEA
• Macy’s
• McGraw-Hill
Johnson & Johnson
Staples, Inc.
• Campbell’s Soup
• Walgreens

Combined, the Top 20 corporate solar users’ installations generate an estimated 47.3 million US dollars worth of electricity each year, SEIA and Vote Solar write.

solarcapacity

numberofsystems

More about leading ‘green’ companies

 



Comparing universities


Five ‘Greenest’ Campuses in America

1. The College of the Atlantic
Located in Maine

2. Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio

3. Harvard University
Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts

4. University of New Hampshire

5. Stanford University
California

Read more: greenerideal.com

 



Comparing restaurants


Global Sustainability Rating of Restaurants

The Stars of Sustainability
A global Sustainability Rating scheme for restaurants is now available worldwide, and allegedly restaurants across Asia, Africa, Europe and North America are lining up to take the rating, with the aim of earning the coveted stars — called ‘the Michelin Stars of sustainability’ by The Sunday Times in the UK. The rating complements the inaugural ‘Sustainable Restaurant Award’ at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2013.
»  Read more: thesra.org/global

 



Comparing cars


‘The Greenest Vehicles of 2013’ lists the top models having the highest Green Scores overall.

Toyota Prius C is on top of the list

See the list here: greenercars.org

greenercars.org also produces a number of other ‘Best of 2013’ lists with the greenest models in each vehicle class. Included are the year’s top-rated subcompact, compact, midsize, and large cars, as well as minivans, vans, pickups, and sport utility vehicles.


Top 10 Electric Sports Cars 2013

“In cars the trend is slowly shifting towards the production and usage of electric or hybrid cars as they are more commonly known. They produce less harmful impacts to the environment than comparable conventional cars, for this reason they are also called Green Vehicles. Note: Some of these cars are not entirely electric.”

1. Porsche 918 Spyder
2. Jaguar C-X75
3. Ferrari 599 Hy-Kers

SportsBlog – 24 March 2013:
Top 10 Electric Sports Cars 2013

 



Ranking videos and films


Sustainability Hub

Sustainability Hub focuses on showing the best sustainability videos in the world. And they rank them.
According to them, these are the 10 best videos of 2012






Articles about ranking and benchmarking


GreenBiz – 7 March 2013:
Coming soon: Sustainability ratings for real estate investments
FTSE Group, a market research firm, is developing the index series in a partnership with the real estate industry association NAREIT and the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council.



Europa.eu – 18 March 2013:
Global tech sector measures its carbon footprint
The European Commission is working with 27 of the world’s leading tech companies and associations to measure their carbon footprint arising from the production, transport and sales of IT goods, networks and services.

According to a study published on 18 March 2013, 10 measurement tools and standards pilot-tested by the organisations are comparable. The aim is to have a common measurement framework in order to get a clearer picture, and eventually a reduction, of CO2 emissions.

ICT products and services are currently responsible for 8 to 10 per cent of the EU’s electricity consumption and up to 4 per cent of its carbon emissions.

» Read more on: europa.eu


 



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