Environment International Ltd.

EI designed and led a workshop on the incorporation of sustainability metrics and EMSs titled, “You Get What You Measure” at the Network of Business Innovation and Sustainability (NBIS) “Profitable Sustainability” conference. EI also provided program advice as part of the NBIS executive planning committee. The conference targeted CEOs, financial planners and marketing directors charting new paths to profitability and corporate social responsibility. The conference provided an opportunity for policymakers, educators and NGOs to exchange information about sustainable business initiatives and to foster partnerships. *top

Assessment of Social and Environmental Reporting and Performance

Performed analyses examining the factors involved in a company's decision to report its social and environmental performance data. Researched the social and environmental performance and reporting practices of numerous companies, developed specialized data analysis techniques and identified variables for the analysis. Variables included emissions, financial factors, compliance with environmental regulations and codes, actions to move beyond compliance, community contributions, location of facilities and type of industry. *top

Protocol Development for Examining Companies' Commitment to Sustainability

For a socially responsible investment fund, developed a protocol to aid researchers in evaluating the commitment level of the fund's portfolio of companies to corporate responsibility. Identified and researched sustainability initiatives and management programs in the US and abroad that assist companies in improving their social and environmental performance. Researched several of US EPA's Partnership for the Environment programs including Climate Wise, Green Lights, Energy Star and Waste Wise. For convenience of use, synthesized this information into a concise report. *top

Legal and Policy Analysis on Acid Rain, Washington, DC

Contributed policy analysis services in a study requested by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The study focused on the causes of acid rain and the long-range transport of air pollutants and included potential pollution control strategies. Conducted legal and policy analyses and explained to Congressional staff the scientific evidence concerning acid rain and the associated policy/legal implications. Analyzed and drafted legislation for Congressional staff designed to protect ecosystems and biodiversity from the adverse effects of acid rain. Prepared written testimony and reports for client committees. *top

Analyses and Determination of Residue from Paper Manufacturing, Washington, DC

Provided services leading to determination of restrictions on land application of residue from paper manufacturing. Exposures to wildlife and the possible long-term effects of these activities were assessed. The project involved an assessment of the constituents of pulp and paper wastes and a literature review on dioxins in pulp and paper. *top

Strategic Planning for Compliance and Enforcement Activities, Washington, DC

On behalf of US EPA, conducted research and analysis to develop a report on strategic targeting for enforcement and compliance assurance. Provided international guidance on how to develop effective targeting strategies in strategic environmental planning. Specifically, provided guidance on how to define the universe of pollutant sources, determine resource constraints, identify and collect relevant data, develop information management systems, establish objectives for targeting programs, develop methodologies to achieve strategic targeting objectives and implement methodologies to support targeting activities. Case studies and examples illustrating steps in strategic targeting were provided for Canada, Costa Rica, England, Indonesia, the United States and Ukraine. Also investigated environmental policies related to strategic targeting for enforcement and compliance assurance in Egypt, China, Spain, Chile and Mexico. *top

US-Canadian Bilateral Research Effort on Acid Rain, Washington, DC

Provided technical assistance and coordinated research with offices within US EPA and with other federal agencies. Analyzed data to investigate the effects of acid rain on biodiversity and ecosystems and worked closely with State Department officials and scientific representatives of the Canadian government assisting in the development of federal regulations. Conducted policy analysis relating to long-range transport of air pollutants. Liaised with Congressional, agency, industry and public interest representatives. *top

Review of Commuter Rail System, Pennsylvania

Provided facilitation services to coordinate development of a broad-ranging independent review of the commuter rail system in Philadelphia, PA to determine its safety and efficiency for the public. A public participation process was designed to disseminate information to the public and address community concerns about the safety and long-term efficiency of the system. *top

Environmental Impact Statement and Benefit-Cost Analysis for Finch Building, Washington

Prepared an environmental impact statement under the Washington State Environmental Policy Act related to the proposed demolition of a building on the National Register of Historic Places (Finch Building). Developed a benefit-cost analysis investigating restoration alternatives, and involved researching supply and demand trends for office space and housing, investigating low income housing and historic preservation tax credits/subsidy programs and conducting independent research on historic building restoration. Recommended the building be converted into low-income housing based on social, environmental and economic factors. *top

Development of Brochure Regarding Best Management Practices, Washington

For the City of Normandy Park, developed and produced a Best Management Practices (BMP) pamphlet for city-wide distribution. The goal of the pamphlet was to educate the public about the impacts of poor construction practices on water quality and fish listed as threatened under federal and state Endangered Species Acts. Assisted the City in evaluating management practices for their benefits to threatened species, water quality and human health. Interviewed city personnel and private contractors regarding current practices. For the Planning Department, identified training opportunities to improve the department’s ability to monitor construction activities for impacts to water quality. *top

Support for Land Use Designation under Growth Management Act Criteria, Washington

Provided services involving review and analysis of Growth Management Act (GMA) statutes and case law, stakeholder comments and criteria utilized in the designation of forest lands of long-term commercial significance by seven counties in Washington State. Criteria included forest land grades in consideration of growing capacity; productivity and soil composition; availability of public services and facilities conducive to conversion of forest land; proximity of the land to urban, suburban and rural settlements; size of the parcel/size of the block; compatibility and intensity of adjacent and nearby land uses; and settlement patterns, including issues related to density allowances. *top

Analysis of Global Water Resource Management Investments

An EI staff member is serving as a water resources technical specialist to the USAID/EGAT Bureau Water Team to provide support for strategic programming of water resources management investments in more than 70 key countries. The project includes management of databases with program information for analysis and updates to the Agency’s global portfolio of water related projects. Designing and implementing an agency-wide study on USAID’s obligations in water, evaluating impacts of USAID programs on global trends in water scarcity, preparing technical reports for the US State Department and supporting the design and production of the USAID Water Team strategic document. The project also includes conducting outreach for the production of learning tools in water resources management for USAID Mission programs. *top

Opportunities Assessment for Conserving Biodiversity in the Amazon - Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, Brazil

EI is working with the USAID Biodiversity Team to define a regional conservation strategy for the Amazon Basin to guide the Agency’s biodiversity, forestry and cross-sectoral investments for maximum impact. Convening and facilitating technical meetings on conservation topics for the purpose of developing a work plan and Opportunities Assessment. This work will ultimately result in the compilation of an “Amazon Conservation Strategy.” The final outcome will include recommendations for USAID as it defines and articulates a multi-year, basin-wide conservation strategy that links key conservation threats, opportunities and projected investments for USAID. EI is producing the Opportunities Assessment including an overview of regional conservation threats to biodiversity health and ecosystem function as well as an assessment of conservation opportunities taking into consideration ongoing programs and initiatives in the region. *top

Natural Resource Management for Sustainable Grazing, Australia

On behalf of the National Science Foundation, Australia, provided services involving development of a model for grazing lands. Also provided advice regarding the development of proper grazing policies and practices to ensure sustainability. *top

Biodiversity Assessment and Strategic Planning Assistance, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine

On behalf of the USAID Regional Mission in Kiev, Ukraine, conducted an assessment of biodiversity in Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. Conducted reviews of documents in English and Russian related to the status of biodiversity and biodiversity conservation, including each country's Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and National Report on the Conservation of Biodiversity written as part of implementation of the Convention of Biodiversity. Prepared a report for each country assessing the overall status of biodiversity, its conservation inside and outside protected areas and the legal and institutional framework regarding biodiversity protection. *top

Community-based Environmental Management Plans, Chile

On behalf of IDB, conducted technical review of proposed Technical Cooperation Project to study problems with Chile's system for evaluating environmental impacts caused by conflicts among citizens, industry and government agencies. Worked on a team developing a grant project to assist municipal governments in community-based planning for improved environmental management. Reviewed the proposed scope of work and budget, coordinated with the sponsoring NGO to make needed modifications, prepared a detailed plan of operations including objectives, specific activities, budget, schedule, project management, evaluation and monitoring, and prepared terms of reference in Spanish for consultants. *top

Environmental Law Training Course, Costa Rica

On behalf of two environmental NGOs, Justicia para la Naturaleza and Fundacion AMBIO, conducted a training course for Costa Rican lawyers, judges and engineers regarding natural resource damage law and law related to liability schemes in oil spills. The training involved adaptation of US environmental laws and statutes to the Costa Rican legal system through analysis of both laws. *top

Environmental Institutional Capacity Building, Dominican Republic

On behalf of USAID, conducted a series of training seminars on environmental concepts, strategic planning and environmental law for the Procuradoría Fiscal del Distrito Nacional (District Attorney's Office) in the Dominican Republic. The seminars contributed to raising the level of awareness in the Procuradoría about current environmental issues affecting human health and the environment including threats to ecosystems and natural resources, toxicology, air pollution, water contamination and laboratory sampling techniques. Working closely with the Procuradoría, EI developed a manual outlining approaches for strategic planning. EI's technical team also provided assistance on the development of voluntary compliance initiatives to improve environmental performance. ISO 14001 was being used as a voluntary mechanism to achieve continuous environmental improvement and increase profits for businesses. The seminars helped the Procuradoría to better understand environmental scenarios and coordinate the environmental activities with other government agencies. *top

Sustainable Fisheries Management Policy, France

On behalf of ECHOSPACE, an international organization dedicated to fisheries management, participated in a skills and technology transfer program regarding development of fisheries management policies to ensure sustainability. *top

Fish Stock Assessment, Iceland

On behalf of the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas, provided technical assistance regarding fish stock assessment using spatial statistical methods and international fisheries management. *top

Natural Resource Management Training, India

Provided services involving training and technology transfer to Indian scientists including developing a model for grassland ecosystems near Benares, India, as a tool for effective resource management of the ecosystem. *top

Resource Management Plan Assistance, Mexico

Provided services involving development of a study surveying seabirds nesting on Mexican islands and assessing the birds' status. The study provided information useful for long-term resource management plans. *top

Natural Resource Management Training Course, Mexico

On behalf of the Mexican scientific center, CICESE, provided training in natural resource management and statistics to 25 Mexican government scientists. *top

Integrated Pest Management, Paraguay

For the IDB, provided services leading to completion of a project combating boll-weevil infestations in Paraguay using integrated pest management (IPM). Researched state-of-the-art practices in IPM for cotton and prepared environmental profiles and consultant terms of reference for the preparation of environmental evaluations and monitoring programs. *top

Natural Resource Management for a National Park, South Africa

Provided advice to managers of Kruger National Park regarding the use of models and geographic information systems for sustainability of the park's natural resources. *top

Natural Resource Management Relating to Whaling Policies, United Kingdom

Provided advice to the International Whaling Commission regarding management policies for the take of whales. The goal was the sustained health of the Minke Whale population. *top

Sustainable Development

Representative Projects

Domestic

Profitable Sustainability: The Future of Business, Washington