This truly comprehensive and invaluable handbook covers in systematic steps everything from definitions of sustainability, the arguments for its adoption to a well-developed operating system for embedding sustainability in a company. There are chapters on choice of indicators, reporting, and verification. With a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement there are also suggestions for the application of the approach to NGOs, universities and cities…this text is one that a person from an organization at the early stages of the journey would benefit from reading from cover to cover, while a person in one looking to raise its game further can seek inspiration and advice from individual chapters.
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart
Former Chairman, Anglo American plc and Royal Dutch/Shell
This leading book translates sustainability from an idea into real world practice for companies and all organizations. An unparalleled resource, it’s a great book, and deserves the widest possible audience.
Hunter Lovins
President
Natural Capitalism Solutions
This updated version of The Sustainability
Handbook should be on every Sustainability Leader’s bookshelf. Blackburn combines his current study of the field with his years of directing an industry-leading company to deliver techniques and tools for the reader to use to successfully integrate sustainability into their organization.
Jim Thomas
VP – Sustainability, Safety, Environment, Risk, Ethics & Compliance
Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.
If I was on a desert island and had to pick just ONE resource to learn, absorb and then apply sustainability knowledge and best practices, I would pick
The Sustainability Handbook—without a bit of a flinch. It will serve as your sustainability beacon–a one-stop shop for a clear, honest and thorough sustainability education and guide.
Bob Langert
Retired VP of Sustainability
McDonald’s Corp.
Editor-At-Large, Green Biz Group
Blackburn is making another major contribution to those organizations that are serious about embedding sustainability into their corporate strategies. This updated handbook provides an excellent guide for everybody, no matter where they are on their journey, towards creating a more sustainable organization.
Dawn Rittenhouse
Director, Sustainability
DuPont Company
Bill Blackburn’s all sense and no-nonsense guide to sustainability’s relevance to business is the ultimate practical handbook telling executives all they need to know, but may not want to ask in public. Blackburn combines his extensive experience with strategic insight to demonstrate practical approaches to make your business future fit.
Ernst Ligteringen
Former Chief Executive
Global Reporting Initiative
Amsterdam
This stellar book is a core reference for our class on corporate sustainability strategy, and the students respond with universal enthusiasm. Packed with strategies and examples, it includes tables and charts that companies can use as practical tools to implement sustainability frameworks. The new version carries us into today’s world by mainstreaming sustainability into the core of every business activity. I highly recommend it to anyone serious about the nuts and bolts of sustainability and making it operational in your organization.
Suzanne Farver, ALM, JD, Instructor
Harvard University
Author, Mainstreaming Corporate Sustainability
I really liked the first edition of Bill’s book and recommended it enthusiastically to both MBAs and management professionals for its practical orientation to the “business” of sustainability. This second edition is even better and more comprehensive. With it, Bill has made yet another tremendous contribution to the management literature on sustainability.
Dennis J. Aigner
Professor of Economics
Paul Merage School of Business
University of California, Irvine
Former Dean, Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management,
University of California, Santa Barbara
Bill Blackburn’s book is required reading for today’s corporate leader who wants practical and accessible guidance on how to proactively design sustainability innovation into corporate culture, products and services. His Sustainability Operating System is a helpful framework for navigating 21 st century challenges of natural resource limitations, high transparency and changing government and consumer expectations of business’s responsibility to create value for society.
Tensie Whelan
Past president, Rainforest Alliance
Current director, New York University Stern Center for Sustainable Business
Blackburn’s prodigious work surveys sustainability principles and practices across many sectors, public and private, business, government, education, NGOs etc. With that breadth it was frankly a little surprising to see the section on higher education be so accurate in its diagnosis of discrete challenges and so appropriate in the presentation of solutions and examples. Blackburn cut to the quick of higher education’s sustainability bones, and fleshed them out sufficiently enough for professionals entering our craft to understand their context and path forward. Well done and valuable content in a minimum of space. Nicely done, Bill.
Dave Newport, LEED AP, Director
Environmental Center
University of Colorado– Boulder
Blackburn’s book lays out concepts in a uniquely straightforward and accessible manner for the sustainability novice and professional alike. What I found so meaningful are the practical examples and solutions that are applicable to any business – a beacon for those searching for common sense approaches in responsible leadership.
Jon Cammack, PhD
Sr. Vice President, R&D/Clinical Quality
AstraZeneca Biologics | Global Operations
I have been in the field of Sustainable Finance and development for over 20 years and I find this book an invaluable asset to my library; I am always finding something new within its pages.
The Sustainable Handbook is much more than a handbook; it should be the ‘GO TO’ book for anyone who is interested in a broad understanding of sustainability and sustainable development. A request to the UN and the World Bank: this book should be required reading for any and everyone who works in and practices with the field of sustainable development.
Dr. Tauni Lanier
CEO EcoCapital
London
William Blackburn is an expert on environmental management and sustainability. The second edition of his book helps stakeholders of all types go from theory to useful and applied practice. With William’s knowledge, experiences and skills, combined with a pedagogical learning and writing, this book is one of the books that must be on the desks of all stakeholders who want and need to develop in the area of sustainability.
Magnus Enell. Ph.D.
Senior Adviser, Enell Sustainable Business AB
Adjunct Professor, KTH, Industrial Ecology
Sweden
A comprehensive, very practical guide by one of the leaders in the field…
Daniel Diermeier
Dean
Harris School of Public Policy, The University of Chicago
Bill Blackburn is one of the foremost experts in the nation on sustainability, and his new edition should be read by everyone committed to improving our environment. His comprehensive work covering sustainable development, business practices, and social responsibility is a valuable resource for all practitioners. This book provides a strong basis for a better future. A must read book.
John C. Cruden
Past Chair
ABA Section on Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources
Bill Blackburn’s Sustainability Handbook is an extraordinarily helpful and practical guide for making serious progress toward sustainability in any organization.
John Dernbach
Distinguished Professor of Law
Director, Environmental Law and Sustainability Center
Widener University Commonwealth Law School
Bill Blackburn is the unparalleled master in artfully sharing with the reader the challenging past, the intricate present and the very dynamic future of Sustainability.
Art Gibson
Vice President Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability
Baxter International, Inc.
This has something for everyone, whether you are a seasoned sustainability practitioner or new to the field. Bill has “been there, done that” and provided lots of practical ideas, tools, resources and references.
James Margolis
Partner
ERM, EHS and Sustainability Management Consulting
Bill Blackburn’s handbook is a towering achievement. It is a treasure trove for business managers.
William D’Alessandro,
Executive Editor
Victor House News Co. (publisher of the Crosslands Bulletin)
Sustainability continues to be a very significant aspect not only of environmental, health and safety management, but management of the entire corporation. Civil society follows these issues closely through today’s instantaneous communication and internal disclosures. Outside reporting requirements and demands continue to grow. The book provides an excellent guide to the myriad issues related to sustainability and the practical aspects of program implementation and communication. It is truly a handbook.
Frank Friedman
President, Frank B. Friedman & Associates, LLC
Author of the Practical Guide to Environmental Management
The year 2015 has been described as a defining one for humankind. The adoption of the 2015-2030 Sustainable Development Goals by all the world’s governments and the Pope’s ‘Laudato si’ are the latest reminders the magnitude and urgency of the threats to our societies, economies and ecosystems from unsustainable behaviors. Intergovernmental agreements and ethical reminders, however, need to be translated into action on the ground. It is here where Bill Blackburn’s Sustainability Handbook 2.0 stands out in its field. A seasoned professional, Blackburn provides us with an accessible and comprehensive user manual that both inspires and empowers each of us to step up and play our part.
Paul Hohnen
Sustainability Strategies, Amsterdam
The Sustainability Handbook is an invaluable resource for sustainability professionals of all sorts. Bill has gathered in one place the wisdom gained through years of experience at the coalface, and the result is an approachable, authoritative and empowering volume. You will find The Sustainability Handbook useful for years to come.
Judy Kuszewski
Co-Founder, Shine Sustainability (U.K.)
Member, Global Sustainability Standards Board, GRI