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The document argues that Caribbean states are highly vulnerable to ecological limits, climate change, and economic instability, necessitating a shift toward a 'green economy'. It identifies systemic barriers such as political disincentives, brain drain, and outdated regulations, while proposing a foundation based on human security, good governance, and pan-Caribbean cooperation. The proposed green economy model emphasizes reducing dependency on high-carbon energy imports, optimizing domestic supply chains, and implementing 'triple bottom line' business principles to ensure long-term prosperity and social equity.

The report analyzes the aluminium sector's exposure to carbon leakage, finding that while the sector as a whole is trade-intensive, the risk varies by product. Unwrought non-alloy aluminium is identified as particularly vulnerable due to high trade and CO2 intensity, whereas secondary aluminium and semi-fabricated products pose lower risks. The study highlights a shift in primary production capacity toward China and the Middle East, while the EU27 remains a leader in recycling but continues to export scrap to China.

The report details American adults' engagement in conservation activities, such as turning off lights and recycling, and their levels of consumer and citizen activism regarding global warming. It highlights a gap between the perceived importance of these actions and actual behavior, while tracking trends in the adoption of energy-efficient lighting and intentions to increase conservation efforts over the following year.

The report identifies a significant discrepancy between the importance Americans place on environmentally friendly actions and their frequency of practice, while noting that barriers to these behaviors must be addressed through policy.

The briefing argues that municipal solid waste (MSW) is an underutilized renewable energy resource that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and landfill reliance. It details five primary conversion technologies—landfill gas capture, combustion, pyrolysis, gasification, and plasma arc gasification—noting that while landfill gas is widely accepted, others face technical or regulatory hurdles. The text highlights that modern waste-to-energy facilities have significantly reduced toxic emissions and can complement recycling by recovering metals. However, it notes that MSW-to-energy receives substantially lower federal subsidies than other energy sources, which hinders commercial expansion.

A coalition of environmental and health organizations argues that the EPA's 2008 rule exempting recycled hazardous waste from RCRA regulation creates significant public health risks, particularly for minority and low-income communities, and allows for the unsafe incorporation of toxins into commercial products, including those for children.

The report examines how K–12 schools in Canada, particularly Manitoba, integrate sustainable development into their operational policies. It identifies three primary approaches to policy development: government-led "whole school" initiatives, independent certification programs, and individual school district policies. The authors find that while some Canadian districts have comprehensive policies, many lack formal frameworks, often relying on individual school-level champions to drive sustainability initiatives. The document argues that formal policies are crucial to reinforce classroom learning and ensure the long-term sustainability of environmental reforms.

The document introduces Environmental Improvement Zones (EIZs) as a community-based framework for implementing environmental strategies in Winnipeg. It outlines baseline data and recommended activities across seven key areas: climate change/air quality, urban energy, land use, transportation, waste management, water management, and pesticide use. The guide details pilot results from three diverse neighbourhoods—Whyte Ridge, Riverview, and West Broadway—demonstrating that environmental priorities vary significantly by socio-economic profile and urban layout. It argues that a neighbourhood-scale approach using community-based social marketing (CBSM) is more effective for long-term behaviour change than city-wide, 'one size fits all' programming.

The document outlines strategies for reducing the energy footprint of the kitchen, focusing on the life cycle of food and the efficiency of appliances. It highlights that refrigerator energy use has dropped over 60 percent in twenty years due to technology and standards, though older models remain costly. For cooking, it argues that habits are more impactful than technology, recommending smaller appliances like microwaves and toaster ovens over conventional ovens. It also emphasizes the environmental benefits of buying local, organic food and implementing composting and recycling to reduce the millions of tons of food and packaging waste entering U.S. landfills.

The document outlines a framework for 'green building' that prioritizes materials with low embodied energy, minimal toxicity, and high recyclability. It argues that the Industrial Revolution's reliance on fossil fuels and non-local materials has stressed global life support systems and degraded indoor air quality. The author recommends specifying low-VOC products, utilizing local masonry or adobe, and considering the high carbon footprint of cement, which accounts for over eight percent of human CO2 emissions worldwide. The guide also compares the energy efficiency and environmental trade-offs between steel and wood framing, while advocating for engineered wood products and reclaimed timbers to protect old-growth forests.

The document analyzes the environmental management strategies of Epson (China) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Japanese Seiko Epson Corporation. It details the company's efforts to implement ISO 14001 certification across its office and production sites in China, alongside initiatives to reduce energy and paper use and replace CFC-based fire extinguishers. A central focus is the critique of a proposed cartridge take-back system in China, which the document argues is flawed due to low participation goals (one percent of cartridges sold), a lack of competitive intelligence, and insufficient consumer information.

The MMSD North America project, facilitated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the University of Nevada, Reno, produced a final report titled 'Towards Change' which proposes ten recommendations to shift the North American mining industry toward sustainable development. These recommendations focus on addressing legacy issues, improving operational practices through a 'Seven Questions to sustainability' framework, enhancing capacity for research and equity, and adjusting economic models to include social and environmental considerations.

Molten Metal Technology Inc. (MMT) developed catalytic extraction processing (CEP), a technology designed to break down hazardous and radioactive wastes into benign forms and recyclable products. Between 1989 and 1995, the company leveraged strong leadership, strategic partnerships with entities like Lockheed Martin and DuPont, and significant federal grants from the DOE to build a research facility in Massachusetts and plan commercial plants in Tennessee and Texas. Despite achieving its first profit in 1995 and receiving EPA recognition for its technology, MMT faced significant risks regarding the timing of full commercial implementation and competition from established incineration and biodegradation methods.

The Hypercar concept, developed by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), proposes a 'whole-system' approach to vehicle design to achieve fuel economies of 90 to 200 mpg. This is accomplished through the synergy of advanced polymeric composites to reduce mass by 50-65%, aerodynamic improvements to cut drag by 40-50%, and hybrid-electric drivesystems that recover up to 50% of braking energy. The document asserts that these vehicles can maintain safety standards, including in collisions with heavier cars, and could be compatible with various fuels, including hydrogen via fuel cells. RMI estimates that production-volume Hypercars could appear in the early 2000s, with costs comparable to conventional vehicles.

The document details IKEA's transition toward environmental sustainability by adopting The Natural Step's scientific framework. It highlights specific initiatives such as the 'Trash Is Cash' waste reduction program, the elimination of chlorine bleach in catalogs, and the implementation of strict formaldehyde emission standards globally. The case also explores how IKEA's core values of frugality and cost-consciousness align with resource efficiency, and how the company manages its global supplier network to maintain these standards while keeping prices low.

The document serves as a teaching guide for a case study on Alpha Motors, Ltd., focusing on the application of life-cycle analysis (LCA) in product design. It details the steps of LCA—goal definition, inventory, categorization, and valuation—while critically examining the Environmental Product Strategies (EPS) system. The text highlights the difficulties of environmental valuation, specifically the use of market prices, contingent valuation, and the assumption of linear additive preferences. It further discusses the trade-offs designers face regarding material costs, quality, end-of-life disposal, and fuel efficiency, while noting that the EPS system is based on "Scandinavian Values" and may not be universally applicable.

The document describes Alpha Motors, Ltd., a subsidiary of Mobility Company, and its transition from focusing on manufacturing emissions to managing the entire life cycle of its products. It details the role of 'environmental champions' like Mike Barns in pushing for Design for Environment (DfE) and the use of life-cycle analysis (LCA) to inform design decisions. The case centers on a pilot project to select the material for the XL2000 hood assembly, comparing steel, aluminum, and SMC plastic using a spreadsheet tool based on the Swedish Environmental Product Strategies (EPS) system. The text outlines the five-step LCA process and the specific methodology of the EPS system, which converts environmental impacts into a single numerical value (Environmental Load Unit) based on economic valuation and risk factors.

The document proposes the "hypercar" concept, which utilizes a recursive "mass decompounding" process to create ultralight vehicles. By combining advanced composites and hybrid-electric drives, the authors argue that cars can achieve significantly higher fuel economy and lower emissions without sacrificing performance or cost. The paper examines the lifecycle benefits of this approach, including reduced embodied energy in manufacturing, lower in-use emissions, and the potential for high-value recycling of polymer composites through processes like low-temperature catalytic pyrolysis.

Deja, Inc. was founded by Julie Lewis to create markets for recycled materials through footwear. Supported by former Nike and Avia executives and venture capital, the company developed shoes from recycled components, though it faced technical challenges with its initial polypropylene fabric. Targeting environmentally conscious consumers, particularly women aged 30-45 and Generation X, Deja entered the fragmented casual footwear market with a premium pricing strategy. Despite high production costs and a complex global supply chain involving material sourcing in North America, Europe, and Japan and assembly in Asia, the company gained significant traction with major retailers and green stores due to its innovative sustainable concept.

Tempes Corporation is deciding between two designs for its Water Moccasin deep-sea diving monitor. Design A uses acrylic polymer and cadmium coating, which is cheaper but generates hazardous waste. Design B uses a more expensive, recyclable engineering thermoplastic that reduces parts and leaks but requires higher initial capital for recycling equipment. The company must analyze these options using net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) over an eight-year product lifespan, with projected first-year sales of 14,000 units and a 10% annual growth rate.