Category: Events

Webinar: Strategies for Implementing a Green Revolving Fund

Jun 23, 2022, 2 pm CDT
Register here.

Competing priorities in primary and secondary school systems mean there is rarely enough money to fund capital building projects which improve efficiency, health and the bottom line. There are ways to overcome this funding barrier. One is a proven model of internal capital financing referred to as a Green Revolving Fund (GRF).

During this webinar, presenters will explore the virtuous cycle of the revolving fund and showcase stories from K-12 schools that are using the GRF model to support sustainability programs on their campuses, including successes and pitfalls. Attendees will see first-hand the various tools designed specifically to help institutions implement and manage a fund, from simple spreadsheets to the GRITS software.

We welcome all school leaders and community advocates interested in financing sustainability programs with a revolving fund to join us for this free webinar.

Presenters

  • Cameren Cousins, Director of Sustainability & Faculty, Fenn School
  • Dan Schnitzer, Director of Construction & Sustainability, Durham Public Schools
  • Mark Orlowski, Executive Director and Founder, Sustainable Endowments Institute

Webinar: Clear the Air: Healthy Indoor Air for Businesses and Tenant Spaces

Jun 28, 2022 10 am CDT
Register here.

This webinar will discuss ways small business owners and building managers can ensure healthy indoor air quality for staff and customers.

Speakers

  • Scott Williams, Williams Building Systems Engineering
  • John Zai, University of Colorado, Boulder

P2U Webinar: The Nexus Between Green Business Programs and Pollution Prevention

Jun 28, 2022, 1-2:30 pm CDT
Cost: NPPR members – Free; Non-members – $20
Register here.

Green business programs can help companies achieve pollution prevention goals and increase sustainability initiatives. Learn how green business programs use environmental impact tracking and measurement methods to report P2 improvements. We’ll feature three green business programs and the Green Business Engagement National Network (GBENN). The session will highlight lessons learned and best practices to prevent and minimize hazardous waste, air, and water pollution as well as conservation of energy, materials, and water. The webinar is designed for those that facilitate a green business program, are thinking of starting one, or want more information on how green business programs can help their members meet P2 goals.

Featured speakers

Brittney Wendell is Associate Director of the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center where she runs and manages the EcoBiz Green Business Program in the State of Oregon. EcoBiz is a free and voluntary certification that uses industry best practices to protect the environment. Brittney has several years of experience working with businesses and industries on pollution prevention, environmental compliance, and sustainability. She also leads pollution prevention outreach programs to assist industrial and commercial facilities in the reduction of toxics, waste, and resource consumption.

Cassie Carroll is Outreach and Marketing Director with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Cassie also serves as an advisor to the Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) bringing her knowledge and expertise to drive IGBA’s strategic goals, develop key partnerships and relationships, and advise on the growth of the organization. She previously served as the Executive Director of IGBA and was its co-founder in 2008. In addition, Cassie also serves as the IGBA representative and leadership coordinator of the Green Business Engagement National Network (GBENN) Leadership Team. She joined the GBENN Leadership Committee after the 1st National Summit for Green Business Programs in May of 2013. She brings a passion for growing sustainable business and uncovering opportunities and promoting the value green business programs bring to communities across the nation.

Derek Boer is a Pollution Prevention (P2) Specialist in the Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment which administers the Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN). The CGBN is a voluntary program that encourages, supports, and rewards superior environmental performers that go beyond the requirements of environmental regulations and move toward the goal of true, operational sustainability. Derek provides technical assistance to businesses, outreach and training to industry, and promotes sustainability through regional and statewide networks.

Webinar: Development of Battery Collection Best Practices and Labeling Feedback

Jun 30, 2022 11 am CDT
Register here.

EPA is hosting virtual feedback sessions to provide input on new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law initiatives about end-of-life battery collection and labeling. This session is for all stakeholders involved in the battery lifecycle to provide input on new battery recycling initiatives. This includes:

  • battery manufacturers;
  • battery retailers;
  • battery recyclers;
  • consumers and businesses that purchase batteries;
  • companies in the electric vehicle management chain; and
  • tribal, state, and local government agencies.

EPA is seeking feedback on:

  • What types of batteries should EPA include in the best practices for collection (e.g., small consumer batteries, electric vehicle and grid storage batteries, industrial batteries, etc.)?
  • What are the current barriers to safe and effective battery collection and recycling?
  • What practices exist to improve battery collection and recycling, especially to increase the safe recovery of critical minerals?
  • What types of communication and outreach activities are most useful to reach key battery stakeholders?
  • What existing labeling programs should EPA use to inform a new labeling program?

Webinar: Complying with SEC-Mandated Carbon Emissions Reporting

Jun 14, 2022, noon CDT
Register here

The recent SEC proposed rule that would require public companies to include certain climate-related information is being seen as a game-changer in ESG reporting. It also stands to accelerate boards of directors and the C-suite to hone their products, processes and business models to meet this new era of transparency and disclosure.

In this conversation,  Workiva and Persefoni, both of which have combined expertise in ESG and carbon emissions accounting, will provide the insider perspective on how global regulations are shaping the ESG disclosure field, as well as how companies are streamlining their reporting processes to include carbon emissions per SEC mandate. 

Among the things you’ll learn:

  • What outcomes might we expect from the SEC’s recent proposed rule?
  • How does this proposal rule compare and contrast with other emerging ESG requirements across the globe?
  • What are the leading examples of effective, efficient, reliable, timely and assurable ESG disclosure?
  • How should companies prepare? What should they do now?

Moderator:

  • Joel Makower, Co-Founder & Chairman, GreenBiz Group

Speakers:

  • Kristina Wyatt, SVP Global Regulatory Climate Disclosure, Persefoni
  • Steve Soter, Senior Director, Accounting Industry Principal, Workiva

If you can’t tune in live, please register and we will email you a link to access the webcast recording and resources, available to you on-demand after the live webcast.

Webinar: Understanding environmental justice through two EPA tools: EJSCREEN and EnviroAtlas

June 15, 2022, 2 pm
Register here.

Environmental justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. This goal will be achieved when everyone enjoys:

  • The same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards,
  • Equal access to environmental assets, and
  • Equal access to the decision making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn and work.

It is vital that as a society we fix the problems created by decades of environmental injustice. Understanding patterns of how different sectors of the population are impacted inequitably by environmental issues is a necessary step towards a solution. EPA has developed tools that can be used to help users understand and address EJ. This webinar will examine two of those tools—EJScreen and EnviroAtlas—including how they can be used together.

EJScreen is an EJ mapping and screening tool that provides a nationally consistent dataset and approach for combining environmental and demographic indicators. EJScreen users choose a geographic area, and the tool then provides demographic and environmental information for that area. EnviroAtlas is a data-rich, web-based decision support tool that combines maps, analysis tools, downloadable data, and informational resources. It is used by states, tribes, communities and individuals to help inform policy and planning decisions that impact the places where we live, learn, work and play.

EJScreen and EnviroAtlas can be used together, and we will demonstrate how to use EJScreen data in EnviroAtlas and vice versa. We will also show how the two tools were used together in a lesson plan, Considering Environmental Justice in Building a Greenway: A Case Study. This webinar will provide overviews and live demonstrations of both tools with a focus on EJ issues.

Webinar: Strengthening Tribal Sovereignty through Waste Management Codes and Ordinances

June 30, 2022, 1 pm CDT
Register here.

Join us on June 30th to learn why developing tribal law is one of the purest and truest expressions of tribal sovereignty. Developing enforceable codes and ordinances can ultimately assist a tribe in addressing its unique environmental issues while honoring and preserving its traditions for future generations. Abandoned motor vehicles on tribal land can pose an especially challenging problem. Combining enforceable law with effective policy and tribal programs can be one path towards solving a difficult solid waste problem.

Annie Perry of Snowpony Consulting will share her in-depth knowledge related to the step-by-step process of developing codes and ordinances. Kori Ellien will discuss her experience implementing and enforcing environmental codes with the Yurok Tribe. Ms. Ellien will also highlight the success the Tribe has had at preserving tribal traditions by removing abandoned vehicles on the Yurok Tribe’s land.

Growing Sustainable Communities Conference — October 17-18, 2022

October 17-18, 2022, Dubuque, IA
Visit the conference website

The Growing Sustainable Communities Conference offers innovation, education, inspiration, and collaboration on growing sustainable communities. Sessions feature presenters with a wide range of expertise, including representatives from federal, state, and local governments, along with business and academic leaders from across the country. In addition to learning sessions, the conference includes two keynote luncheons, mobile workshops, a breakfast plenary session, and more.

Registration opens June 1.

Brownfields 2022

Aug 16-19, 2022, Oklahoma City
For more information and to register

Brownfields 2022 features over 120 panels, roundtables, and topic talks where attendees can learn directly from experts in the field and interact with federal, state, and local decision-makers. In these sessions, speakers will discuss new practices, share success stories, and stimulate new ideas.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included an unprecedented $1.5 billion investment in EPA’s Brownfields program over the next two years. Proposals for these grants are due in November 2022 and guidelines will be released in September 2022. Hear from EPA officials about how you can access these grants and maximize your economic, environmental, and social performance. This funding will transform communities into sustainable and environmentally just places, enhance climate resiliency, and more.

Webinar: Let’s Talk About It: A Conversation with Tribes about Environmental Justice

Apr 28, 2022 1 pm CDT
Register here.

Please join Carolyn Hoskinson, ORCR Office Director, at this interactive session to take a closer look at Environmental Justice (EJ) from a tribal perspective. EPA will share its EJ priorities and discuss current and future waste grant programs. Tribes will have the opportunity to express waste related EJ concerns and provide feedback on how EPA’s EJ priorities can assist in building sustainable waste management programs.