DAILY REPORT • PRE-SUMMIT SUNDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2007
Corporate Real Estate's Tipping Point:
London Global Summit Focuses on
Sustainability across the Supply Chain
By Richard Kadzis
LONDON - The mainstreaming of sustainable practices by multinational companies is one of the most compelling business trends of the past year, one that will continue to draw intensive focus here at the CoreNet Global European Summit.
The conference, which kicked off today at London's Park Plaza Riverbank hotel, is expected to attract a record number of more than 420 corporate real estate and workplace executives for CoreNet Global in Europe. The dialogue here is centered on the theme of "Greening the Bottom Line." Sustainability emerged in Europe, and now more and more businesses here and in other global regions are integrating profitable approaches to planet and people with their operating models. As the conference shows, it's clear that sustainability has gone from the leading edge to become an embedded business practice.
 The historic Thames River flows past the front doors of the Park Plaza London, host venue for the 2007 CoreNet Global European Summit. Photos: Richard Kadzis, Leader Magazine |
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Senior-level executives from a wide range of the world's leading companies will discuss how sustainability has reached a tipping point. In fact, companies are not only more aware than ever before of the benefits of sustainable practices, they're willing to pay more for it, according to new research being conducted by CoreNet Global in recent Summits held in Singapore, Denver and Melbourne.
CoreNet Global's rolling survey on sustainability done in conjunction with Jones Lang LaSalle will end this week with the London Global Summit. The trend line is well defined and should be confirmed again at this conference: the availability of related products and services to support the sustainability sea change is at an all-time high and growing. The survey series mirrors a worldwide knowledge-sharing theme for CoreNet Global in 2007.
Executive Development Program (EDP) Global MCR Graduates Saluted in London
CoreNet Global recognized recent MCR graduates who completed the global programme and capstone course. From left, Ron Adam of CoreNet Global, CoreNet Global CEO Dr. Prentice Knight, David Mirmelli, CoreNet Global Chief Learning Officer Brenda Wisniewski, Lucy Kent, Philip Dietzold and Ronen Journo. MCR is celebrating its 25th anniversary as the industry's leading validation of professional skill sets. |
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So with supply beginning to rise to meet the incredible demand, it's important to note the conference is focused on sustainability as a holistic supply chain concept. It includes but goes beyond green buildings and energy conservation - the two leading areas of applied sustainable practicesfor the industry. Flexible workplace practices, location and talent strategies, community reinvestment, and many other innovations are proving that - in the broadest sense possible - sustainability also reflects another version of the triple bottom line: products, practices and policies that give meaning to the concept of socially responsible globalization.
Opening keynote speaker Dr. Bjorn Lomborg will examine today's most pressing global issues - such as climate change, communicable diseases, water access and others - and offer sustainable solutions.
The Summit will also look at how companies of all sizes are increasing employee and customer loyalty through corporate social responsibility as part of what observers describe as a 'new world order' through which companies will reduce risk and increase profit by proactively managing their reputations among tomorrow's 'political shoppers' and talented employees seeking progressive places to work.
How far will the pendulum continue to swing? There will be more answers by the time the conference ends 19 September, and more yet when the summary of the special global survey on attitudes and awareness is reported in January 2008.
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