I spoke at Cincinnati’s second annual 3E Summit on September 28. The 3Es are energy, economics and environment, and the focus is solidly on sustainability. This is a city organized event, with the help of corporate sponsors. My breakout session was Sustainability 101, and I shared the stage with the EPA and Procter & Gamble. Here’s what I learned at the Summit:
PNC Financial Services, headquartered in Pittsburgh, owns more LEED rated buildings than any company on earth. These range from super-size structures like PNC FirstSide, a 650,000 square foot operations facility in their home town, to over 100 LEED Silver bank branches. PNC is now the fifth largest bank in the country, so they are doing something right. Their next sustainability goal is to develop a net zero branch prototype in 2011.
Why is PNC so green? First, they say it’s the right thing to do. Other reasons: their LEED facilities yield higher satisfaction and productivity among associates, and building operating costs and total cost of ownership are more competitive.
I also met Fifth Third Bank’s first ever director of sustainability at the Summit. He’d just started a few days earlier. Scott Hassell is a bright and engaging young professional with experience at think tank Rand Corporation to recommend him. I hope this reflects a growing trend among retail banks to commit to greener operations.
Procter & Gamble announced the day of the 3E Summit that they would pursue sustainability even more aggressively in their operations and products. Zero waste and 100% renewable power at their plants, and clean water for consumers around the world are major components of their vision.
Water was a recurring theme, even here in the Midwest, where we seem awash in fresh water. GE is targeting water savings and water quality management in their plants, second only in importance to energy savings.
The 3E Summit offered me encouragement and confidence that sustainability is gaining traction in the heart of the country. As the economy improves and lenders free up capital, look for increased investment and innovation from businesses of all types and sizes.
