Trade.Information

GEMI New Tool Releases

The Global
Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) will be releasing a new tool,
the 'GEMI Metrics Navigator(TM)' in Washington, DC and New York, NY.
"The 'GEMI Metrics Navigator(TM)' is the product of a two-year
collaborative journey by GEMI's members, with the support of Golder
Associates and a number of external expert advisors, to discuss and assess
strategic performance measurement and evaluation; the challenges of
sustainability and the related metrics that drive business value,
innovation and growth; and intangible financial drivers," said GEMI's
Chair, Stan Christian, Corporate Director, Safety and Environment,
Motorola, Inc. "The results of this collaborative effort has been the
creation of a first of its kind tool that will help companies set goals and
communicate performance around company values and strategies," added
Christian.
"Progressive companies recognize that their performance is judged on
many levels, not just their financial success" said Jim Kearney, Director,
EHS Evaluations, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Co-Chair of the GEMI Metrics Work
Group that created the 'GEMI Metrics Navigator(TM).' "Using appropriate
metrics to describe programs or back up statements of progress can enhance
business' credibility. This tool was designed to help companies identify
metrics that support their business strategy, and put the numbers into a
context that goes beyond traditional financial metrics," said Kearney. "It
provides a roadmap for companies to identify key metrics for those actions
that drive long-term sustainability and a rational, thoughtful basis for
decision-making," Kearney added.
"The 'GEMI Metrics Navigator(TM)' uses a planning process that can help
uncover relevant and material indicators and prioritize them among those
that are the most effective at driving and communicating performance, both
internally and externally," said Leslie Montgomery, Environmental
Stewardship Program Manager, Southern Company and Co-Chair of the Work
Group. "This new tool does not recommend any particular path for a company
to take, nor does it advocate a common set of indicators for industry.
Organizations may wish to use the tool's six-step process in full, or may
simply use it as a reference to fine tune existing efforts. In either case,
its use should bring to light opportunities to better set goals and
communicate performance around company values and strategies," Montgomery
concluded.
"By offering a cutting edge framework, leading thoughts from the field,
and a variety of case studies and approaches, The 'GEMI Metrics
Navigator(TM)' is a great tool for managers who are thinking about how to
effectively align incentives, investments and desired outcomes of
sustainability strategies," said GEMI External Advisory Group (EAG)
participant Mark B. Milstein, PhD, Lecturer of Strategy, Innovation &
Sustainable Global Enterprise, Director, Center for Sustainable Global
Enterprise, Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University.
A participant of the GEMI EAG, Jean "Pogo" Davis, JDK Consulting LLC
and former manager of sustainable development for ConocoPhillips added,
"Once again, GEMI has developed a practical, how-to tool to address a
difficult subject. The 'Metrics Navigator(TM)' provides a logical roadmap
to help
practitioners and decision-makers alike identify the key metrics that
drive and communicate sustainable performance in their business. Well
done!"
"As we take a long-term perspective on stock valuation, SAM
(Sustainable Asset Management) Group welcomes GEMI's fresh approach to
performance metrics. In the right hands, the 'Metrics Navigator(TM)' is a
tool to help link environmental and social performance to shareholder
value," said another GEMI EAG participant Carl-Johan Francke, Senior Equity
Analyst -- Industrials, SAM Group.
In addition, to events in Washington, DC, GEMI and The Conference Board
Center for Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability are hosting a briefing in
New York for invited participants in their programs.
Additional information about GEMI, including the 'GEMI Metrics
Navigator(TM)' on GEMI's web site at http://www.gemi.org. The Global
Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) is a non-profit organization of
39 leading companies dedicated to fostering global environmental, health
and safety excellence and corporate citizenship.

Media contact:
1155 15th Street, NW,
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-296-7449
Fax: 202-296-7442
info@gemi.org

Release link: http://www.gemi.org/docs/press/press.htm