"The goal of life is living in agreement with nature."

Zeno (335 BC - 264 BC), from Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

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Latest News - June, 2013

Maria Sillanpaa Recognised as a Thought Leader

Maria recognised as one of the 100 Top Thought Leaders in Trustworthy Business Practices in Europe and the Middle East.

 

Recruiting for LEED AP (or equivalent) and MEP for LEED Gold Project in Abu Dhabi

We are currently looking for 2 Green Building professionals to work on a prestigious LEED Gold project in Abu Dhabi. These two roles can be combined depending on candidate’s qualifications.

LEED Project Manager (Deputy)


• To job share / deputise for our current LEED Project Manager onsite for the construction JV on a minimum of 4 day a week basis (remaining project duration estimated at 19 months.

• At least 3 years of construction side green building experience, ideally in the region.

• LEED accreditation ideal, but not absolutely necessary if experience with other standards (BREEAM, Gold Star, Estidama). Senior LEED AP already on site and this person would report to her.

• MEP / engineering background a bonus. Key responsibilities include IAQ related credits.

• 4 days a week minimum (but potential for more) for the remaining duration of project (minimum 18 months).

• Starting date around mid November with some flexibility either way.

• Role based on fixed contract with SAG for the duration of project (potential for other project work later / during this projects). Visa / labour card can be arranged as required.

MEP



• To provide MEP expertise for the above LEED project on an occasional freelance basis

• Estimated around 2 days per month minimum for the duration of the project, but will fluctuate depending on project phase, especially during commissioning.

• Commissioning experience a bonus.

• Role based on a freelance contract with Sustainability Advisory Group.


Further detail of specific tasks and responsibilities can be provided to suitable candidates.


Contact Maria at maria@sustainabilityadvisory.net

 

More Executive Training Coming Up - Dubai, Nairobi, Lagos

We are running our popular 'Creating Value through Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Management - The Why, The What and The How' again in Dubai on 19 – 21 June. 

This is what some of our participants have said about the course: 

"The course has really clarified many of the grey areas and challenges I face on sustainability in general and reporting in particular. The trainer is impressive and has excellent knowledge of the subject." 

Wael Al Anezi, Marketing Specialist,National Water Company, KSA 

“Excellent course for convincing senior management to commit to a sustainability agenda and continue the process over time.”

                        Clay Gervais, Faculty Member, Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE 

Other courses coming up include Nairobi 18 – 19 July and Lagos 25 – 26 July. More details on these shortly.

 

2011 Executive Training Programme Taking Shape

We are currently building our 2011 programme of executive training events - first one will be in Dubai on 26 - 28 February. Check out details by clicking the below.

Creating ValueThrough Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Management - The Why, The What, The How? 

Watch this space for more events coming soon. If you are interested in tailored in-house interventions, please send an email to info@sustainabilityadvisory.net and ask for our learning and development capability statement or for a tailored proposal. 

 

Middle East CSR Survey Results Now Out!

The results of our second annual CSR Middle East survey are now out and once again they prove a compelling read as views are maturing in the region.

Click here for the English media release and high level results, here for the Arabic release and  here for fuller results.

Thank you to all the participants!

 

Sustainability Reporting - Build Competitive Advantage by Effective Sustainability Reports, 29 - 30 June Dubai UAE and 8 - 9 July Lagos Nigeria

Sustainability reporting is fast becoming a topical issue both in the Middle East as well as in Africa with more organisations joining the international ground swell of reporters. It is therefore with pleasure that we are able to inform you of a 2-day training course both in Dubai and Lagos focusing specifically on how to make sustainability communications and reporting work to your best advantage.

The Dubai course will take place on 29 – 30 June and will be led by us in association with IIR ME. The Lagos course will take place on 8 - 9 July and will be led by us in partnership with TruContact.

We will take a hands-on approach to guiding participants through the whys and hows of reporting and approach the topic both from strategic and practical perspectives. We will cover key standards such as the GRI and explore their implications for regional reporters. The key aim is to help you on your reporting journey, adding real value to all concerned.

For more information about the Dubai course, please click here

For more information about the Lagos course, please click here

We really look forward to leading this topical course and to you joining us!

 

Second Middle East CSR Executive Survey now open!

Participate in the biggest Executive CSR Survey in the Middle East!

Following the great interest in last year's inaugural CSR survey, Sustainability Advisory Group is now conducting the second survey exploring executive views on corporate responsibility and sustainability in the Middle East. 

To participate click here.

For further information about the survey click here .

 

 

We are now on Facebook!
Would be great to see you there - click here to connect!

 

Maria featured on Global Reporting Initiative's blog

Elaine Cohen, an avid commentator on all things CSR and sustainability writes on GRI's blog to celebrate International Women's Day. Her blog features Maria's work as one of the pioneers of CSR reporting and talks about what was it like to be a young female professional working at The Body Shop with Anita Roddick.

Happy Women's Day everyone!

Check it out here.

 

CSR Training In Nigeria, March 2010

In partnership with TruContact Ltd, Maria Sillanpaa will be facilitating two, two day training sessions on CSR in Nigeria on 23/24 & 26/27 March 2010.  Aimed at public relations and other communications practitioners, the training is designed to expose professionals to key conecpts in CSR and enable them to implement CSR change more effectively within their organisation.

Progressive Nigerian business leaders are now embracing the principles of CSR and taking steps to embed them within their organisations.

For more information about the course, click here.

 

Maria interviewed following "Altruism - the Business of Caring" Conference

Following a very successful conference speaking to Emirati students on issues relating to economic sustainability, altruistic business practices and the links with CSR, Maria was interviewd by Gulf News on business practices within the UAE.  To read the full article, click here.

 

Sustainability Advisory Group in 7Days, a leading Dubai daily

Businesses have begun to consider ethics and the impact of the way they operate but, writes, Julian Pletts, more needs to be done to boost corporate social responsibility in the Middle East.

7Days Dubai UAE  - click here for full article.

 

Maria speaking at Altruism - The Business of Caring event 23 February

This invitation only event is organized by the Business Department of Sharjah Colleges, Higher Colleges of Technology. It will explore the intent of contemporary corporate philanthropy and challenge students to consider whether corporate altruism is simply a marketing tool or a genuine desire to give back to our global community.

Maria is getting excited about addressing hundreds of Emirati studes and sharing the platform with such dignitaries as H.E. Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi.

For more information check this link.

 

Establishing a business case for sustainability - Workshop 14th March Doha

Maria will be leading a one day workshop on 14th March as part of the Building Sustainable Communities conference in Doha, Qatar.

For further details, click here.

 

Sustainability Advisory Group in The National (UAE)

The leading UAE daily covered our recent Middle Eastern CSR survey today (31/12/2009) quoting reactions to the results from various local experts. You can find the story here.

 For further information about the survey, see news items below.

 

Middle East CSR Survey Results Out!

In October Sustainability Advisory Group embarked on the largest CSR survey of executive opinion in the Middle East. The results are now out and prove compelling reading!

Click  here for the media release -  here to see the high-level results - and here for an article discussing the results.

 

Think Wider Volume Three: Regional flavours of sustainability - A Middle East profile

Emerging markets are seriously beginning to take notice of the sustainability agenda. The recent article on ‘Global trends in sustainability reporting’ highlighted that, of the 24 awards presented at GRI’s conference last year, 18 went to companies from emerging or developing economies.

Yet, although the developing world as a whole still has a significant way to go to be in line with the progress and trends of sustainability in the West, their achievements can only be understood by viewing sustainability from a regional perspective. This article explores the unique issues and trends facing the Middle East. To learn more click here.

 

Think Wider Volume Two: My Middle Eastern Sustainability Journey

Think Wider Volume Two is now available - in this edition Maria Sillanpaa explores the evolution of corporate sustainability in the Middle East.

‘…the planet and its people are  in trouble and some of the worst challenges we face globally are exacerbated in fragile regional ecosystems: water scarcity and the financial and environmental costs of desalination, decline of the Arabian Gulf, severe pressures on biodiversity and the unpredictable impact of even the slightest climatic changes in an already extreme environment.’ 

This article examines the strengths, challenges and opportunities for the Middle East region. It offers practical advice for business leaders faced with the prospect of 'transform or perish' in the current economic climate. For the full article click here.

 

Think Wider Volume One: Global trends in Sustainability Reporting

Sustainability Advisory Group has launched a series of think pieces called Think Wider. In our first volume we explore the latest trends in sustainability reporting on the global arena.

With 80% of the world's largest 250 companies reporting on their sustainability performance a formal report is becoming a mark of excellence.

‘The bad news is that formal sustainability reports are still read by only a handful of ‘professional stakeholders’ – the ones whose job it is to read them. The men and women on the street are still mostly blissfully unaware or disinterested in corporate sustainability reports. And your next job is to do something about this.’ 

In this article we explore the role of sustainability reporting and how business can ensure that it gets the best returns from its investment. To download volume one click here.

 

Middle East Green Buildings & Sustainability Conference

Taking place in Abu Dhabi from 17th - 19th November, MEED's Middle East Green Buildings & Sustainability Conference has been designed to bring together key industry players to update participants on latest developments in this rapidly evolving area.  Key topics will include:

  • Does Sustainability cost the earth?
  • How is the financial crisis affecting the green building industry?
  • The latest issues surrounding building codes, rating systems and government legislation
  • Key priorities for existing and developing Green Building Councils in the GCC
  • Carbon critical buildings and the road to Copenhagen

Sustainability Advisory Group is proud to be one of the event partners and our Senior Associate, Rebecca Pearce, will be speaking at the Conference.  Early bird discounts are availble if you book and pay for your place before 9th October.   For further details check out the conference website at www.meedconferences.com/greenbuildings.

 

Maria Sillanpaa presents workshop at Middle East 6th CSR Summit

Taking place in Dubai from 18 - 22 October, the 6th CSR Summit, the longest running CSR event in the Middle East, will provide a platform for insightful solutions and an open dialogue between the public and private sectors, NGOs and investor representatives.

The conference covers a wide range of CSR issues, from measurement and reporting, to public-private partnerships, stakeholder engagemet and communications.  Participants will hear the latest regional insights first-hand, generate new ideas and explore how to demonstrate the business value of their CSR initiatives.

Our Founding Director, Maria Sillanpaa, will be leading a pre summit workshop entitled "Opportunities for CSR In Times of Crisis - Creating A Sustainable Business" focusing on:

  • Understanding how to build a stronger business and create a CSR strategy that supports business goals
  • Developing the business case and build buy-in for CSR
  • Assessing the biggest risks today and how to manage them
  • Identifying the gaps in the CSR strategy and understanding strategy and reputation as a consequence of your business practice
  • Designing, deploying and implementing a CSR strategy that is truly meaningful and encompasses all stakeholders - employees, customers, suppliers, investors, NGOs, the environment and governments

For more information, check out the website at www.thecsrsummit.com .

 

Sustainability Advisory Group at Cityscape Dubai Green Day Conference

Green Day, on Wednesday, 7 October 2009, will be a one-off event which will take the pulse of the green building community via a series of stimulating debates addressing the key challenges we face.

Throughout Green Day, panellists will debate the critical challenges and, together with the audience, come up with vital solutions that need to be implemented if we are truly to fulfil the promise of a sustainable future.

Maria Sillanpaa, Founding Director of Sustainability Advisory Group, will be talking at a session on Quantifying The Value Of Sustainable Communities To All Stakeholders that will address:

  • Green buildings and value management for government, financiers and investors, developers, owners and occupiers
  • Creating “green value-add” – what is measurable and what is not

Maria will be presenting along side Sean McKeag, Manager at VOS Group and Liz Peace CBE, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation.

Check out the website and agenda at: www.cityscape.ae/greenday

 

Rebecca Pearce talks sustainable buildings

Monday 30 March 2009. Rebecca Pearce has been busy sharing her experience of sustainable buildings at conferences in the Middle East this month.

March 16 Rebecca participated in the 3rd annual Cost Effective Sustainable Design & Construction conference at Abu Dhabi, organised by IQPC Middle East.

Cost Effective Sustainable Design Construction Logo

Her presentation "Sustainable Buildings- part of the corporate DNA or a bolt-on?" looked at the benefits of going beyond opportunistic "green" building projects and integrating sustainable design and construction practices into business strategy.

Qatar Green Buildings LogoRebecca then zipped over to Doha where she presented on March 18 at Qatar Green buildings 2009, organised by MEED.  Her topic was "Thinking beyong green ratings: promoting transformational change in the built environment" and once again focussed on integrating sustainability for deep strategic improvement. Rebecca also participated on the panel for "LEED, BREEAM & Green Star- how do you decide which standard is right for you".

For more information, contact Rebecca Pearce here.

 

2009 CSR Top 100 Leaders Poll results in - Congratulations Maria!

Friday 6 March 2009. After a month of voting, the inaugural CSR top 100 leaders poll has been established by CSR International. Maria Sillanpaa

Founding Director of Sustainability Advisory Group, Maria Sillanpaa, has been ranked number three in the advisory leaders category, reflecting her profound and continuing impact on CSR internationally.

Congratulations Maria!

Results are available here, where voting continues live for the 2010 edition.

More about Maria here.

 

Maria Sillanpaa recognised as CSR Leader

CSR_International Logo Friday 6 February 2009. Sustainability Advisory Group's Founding Director, Maria Sillanpaa has made it into a master list of potential CSR top 100 international leaders, compiled by CSR International.

Votes are now open to determine the final list. The results will be displayed on the CSR International website in March.

Want to participate? All you have to do is select your own top 10 CSR Leaders from the list, available here.

 

Middle East Sustainability Group launched

 

Sustainability Advisory group has launched the Middle East Sustainability Group  on Linked-in- using latest social networking techniques to bring together sustainability professionals working in the Middle East.

The network includes over 60 members from companies, consultancies, the government and civil society sectors from across the region.

Middle East Sustainability Group LogoThe MESG aims to generate an active forum through which members can network, exchange ideas and explore new initiatives. It brings together practitioners from the environmental, social and economic spheres all working towards stimulating a change towards a more sustainable future.

Click on the logo to join.

 

 

CEOs in the Middle East called upon to use sustainability to surpass the crisis

Friday 30 January 2009. Sustainability Advisory Group co-founders Georgina Legoe and Maria Sillanpaa, are featured in the January edition of CEO Middle East- explaining why sustainability is so important for business in the current economic climate.

"...this is the time to reflect. When running a large business you take on the mandate of planning for the medium-to-long-term. Taking this longer view will give you the clarity you need to deal with short-term crises and issues.

Progressive CEOs will guide their organisation through turbulent times by embracing corporate responsibility to both enhance and complement more traditional and embedded business practices."

The article can be found in full on ArabianBusiness.com or download the pdf here.

 

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