A public-private partnership that coordinates across
government private sector, and civil society to achieve
Hawai‘i’s 2030 statewide sustainability goals and
serve as a model for integrated green growth.

Sustainability Business Forum

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SBF members discuss sustainable pathways to economic prosperity at the 2017 VERGE Summit. Panelists left to right: Alan Oshima (Hawaiian Electric Company), George Szigeti (Hawai‘i Tourism Authority), Mark Dunkerley (Hawaiian Airlines), and moderator Celeste Connors (Hawai‘i Green Growth)

The Sustainability Business Forum (SBF) brings together top-level executives representing a broad sector of Hawaiʻi businesses committed to achieve economic prosperity, environmental stewardship and community resilience. Facilitated by Hawai‘i Green Growth and advised by an expert Working Group of government and environmental leaders, SBF collaborates on concrete initiatives to increase livability and climate resilience in Hawai‘i. In 2016, the SBF developed specific recommendations for targets and indicators with other diverse partners to track progress on the Aloha+ Challenge 2030 Smart Sustainable Communities goal.

Currently, SBF is working with partners and technical experts to develop a carbon mitigation initiative, including opportunities for Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and ecotourism, to identify successful approaches to incentivize restoration and conservation. SBF members are exploring Business Blueprints for Action that will help local business leaders collaborate on projects that build resilience, reduce risk and create investment opportunities.

Joint Initiatives on Carbon Offsets and Payment for Ecosystem Services
The Hawai‘i-hosted IUCN World Conservation Congress used third party resources to estimate the amount of carbon emissions associated with the 2016 conference in Hawaiʻi. Committed to making the event 100% climate neutral, the IUCN purchased carbon credits from Cordillera Azul National Park Project in Peru (10,172 tons), the Bundled Grid Connected Wind power project from Tamilnadu, India (5,000 tons) and the Wind Energy Project in Maharashtra by M/s Shah Promoters & Developers (18,328 tons). Hawaiʻi did not have any carbon offset programs to meet the IUCN's needs.

Inspired by high-level dialogues at IUCN World Conservation Congress, SBF members agreed to focus on market-based mechanisms in Hawai‘i, including a carbon offset initiative and Payment for Ecosystems Services. To inform joint action, SBF commissioned a legal and policy analysis, provided by Conservation International, for a landscape assessment on a market-based mechanism that will incentivize restoration and conservation of Hawai‘i’s globally important ecosystems and its environmental services. Released in November during the COP23, the report is now available and will support Hawai‘i next steps on a carbon offset initiative. Following the legal and policy analysis, SBF will pursue an Economic Analysis to evaluate possible mechanisms and revenue streams that could fund reforestation and restoration efforts in public and private lands in Hawai‘i. The group is currently examining possible pilot projects in with state, private, and community partners.

Hawai‘i Green Growth is coordinating the SBF, as well as a Working Group of public, private, and civil society partners, to support collaboration and joint implementation of a Hawai‘i-based carbon offset initiative.

Sustainability Business Forum Reports

 

SBF Events & Highlights: Sustainability Business Forum Members at 2017 VERGE

1 Seal of the State of Hawaii
2 - City  County of Honolu Seal
3 - HI County Seal
4 - Maui County Seal
5 - Kauai County Seal
6 - OHA Logo
1 Glispa Logo
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11-DOH-logo need high res
2-DOA 2
28-UH
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13 - HE-Logo-Type-Stacked-dimensional-colorbkgd CMYK copy
14 - HECO NEW logo
14-CGAPS logo name
HML Name  Logo
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32-PVS logo
kam schools Hgg 2
20 - Harold K.L. Castle Foundation
21 - WCC logo
22 -HSEO Logo Color
23-HEPF Logo
21-Pineapple Tweed
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26 - tri-islelogocrop
27 - KPAA Logo 4c Side Stk r1
24-EnterpriseHono
sheila sarang
30 - starwoodlogo
27-Kyoya logo
stephanie chang
34 - Sweet Home
22- HCA logo1
35-Accord 3.0
37-CI-logo
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6-NTBG logo
36-ctahr-logo
20-Op Logo
42 - MM logo correct colors
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25-Malama HI
47 - ONMS
34-town logo
49 - Kanu HI
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