C4S PROGRAMS

Champions for Sustainability brings together companies large and small, from many different industries, entrepreneurs, community leaders, university researchers, educators, and other social ventures to put sustainability into practice. C4S aspires to be the most effective region-based collaboration of leaders accelerating the practice and policy of sustainability in business and civic circles. Champions for Sustainability provides value to firms and organizations that seek sustainable solutions to operational practices through convening, networking, and direct consulting through a number of programs tailored to meet the increasing needs of businesses.

Convening

• Host events that maintain a “rubber-meets-the-road” focus on practical solutions for firms, organizations, and communities
• Create an environment that facilitates self-organizing partnerships among business and community interests for meeting common challenges
• Recognize and feature exemplary organizations through awards and other recognition
• Listen to and document common barriers that impede practical solutions for sustainable practices and mobilize resources in response

Linking

• Provide connections to universities and other organizations for research and project support
• Facilitate connections among organizations that may not realize common connections and interests

Consulting

• Provide education and capacity building in sustainability practices
• Transform supply chains to realize economic benefits from a sustainability orientation
• Develop strategy and reports on corporate social responsibility
• Direct technical assistance to integrate sustainability practices into operations and reporting

Innovating

• Create the bridge to new yet practical operational capacities from an awareness of sustainability frameworks
• Support ways to create new products for new markets (a blue ocean strategy)
• Foster cultures of practice with capacities to adapt and flourish

Benefits

• Short-term monetary paybacks through operational efficiency improvements
• Strategic advantages that leverage value over time
• Knowledge and training in sustainable practices
• Reduced risks (known and unknown) related to sustainability issues
• New product and market opportunities
• An identity that integrates sustainability
• Solutions from other practitioners
• Adaptive capacities for supply networks
• An authentic sustainability culture of practice
• Public relations and communications
• Recognition for sustainable practices