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Current Issue

Posted 03.01.2010

2010 Sustainability Champion Awards

State program recognizes individuals and teams in government and business

By Mike Cote

As sustainability becomes mainstream, it's a tougher task to honor people, companies and organizations that transcend business as usual.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Environmental Partnership have partnered with Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy (CORE), and ColoradoBiz to present the 2010 Sustainability Champion Awards. The program is sponsored by PAETEC, a New York-based telecom company that delivers data and voice services in 84 metro markets including Denver.

This year's winners are comprised of three individuals and three teams that have not only reduced waste and greenhouse gas emissions but in many cases have created substantial cost savings and economic opportunities.

A team of judges from the state of Colorado and CORE selected the winners from nearly 100 entries, examining how they met criteria for the environment, economy, society, innovation and education. The profiles on these pages offer a snapshot of how the winners addressed those issues.

SHAHNAZ JAFFARI,
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MASONRY INSTITUTE
The Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute is a nonprofit trade association of more than 110 companies throughout Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Jaffari, RMMI's sustainability director, has worked for five years to change how architects look at construction practices. A native of Iran, Jaffari has studied structures in the Middle East that are 2,500 years old. Stretching the lifespan of buildings to a century doesn't sound unusual to her.
"We need to build buildings that will be our cultural heritage for the next generation just like the previous generation built their buildings for us," she said.

Environment: Jaffari chaired a group helping to develop the first International Green Construction Code. The average age of nonresidential buildings in the U.S. is 25 years. Jaffari's team developed a draft that calls for buildings to last a minimum of 60 years and awards extra credits for those designed to last 100 and 200 years. New construction and demolition account for 40 percent of raw materials and 30 percent of waste in the U.S. annually.

Economy: The initiatives would reduce the operating costs of buildings as well as demand for fossil fuels and clean water.

Society: Jaffari has worked with the Environmental Protection Agency on draft language that calls for buildings to be within walking distance to schools, offices, banks, cultural centers and shopping.

Innovation: Jaffari directed a regional task force of the U.S. Green Building Council on revisions to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. New credits would award points for water conservation, passive design and other sustainability measures.

Education: Jaffari teaches seminars on LEED and green building.

MARINER KEMPER,
CEO, UMB FINANCIAL CORP.

UMB CEO Mariner Kemper says one of the best things about winning this award is that it gives him another platform to talk about sustainability.
"For me, it's very equally split between being good for business and being good for the planet," Kemper says. "The planet doesn't get any bigger, and we add more people to it every year. People are living longer lives. If we don't ultimately start caring more, you can't argue that it has a negative impact on the lives of our kids and our grandkids."

Environment: Kemper has led UMB's efforts to ensure new branches and upgrades are completed using green practices. In 2007, UMB opened its first "green" building in Stapleton, which included a grass roof as part of its structural design. In 2008, UMB completed a carbon calculator for the company's entire footprint, which showed a 2 percent overall decrease in emissions from 2007.

Economy: UMB's energy conservation measures have saved the company nearly $181,000 during 2009. Recycled toner and ink cartridges saved an additional $8,500 from May to November 2009.

Society: UMB has partnered with the Denver Botanic Gardens for a three-year agreement that supports the gardens' annual operating budget and a capital campaign that aims to enhance the gardens as a model of sustainability.

Innovation: The company created the UMB Eco Rewards credit card that allows consumers to earn double points on qualified "green" purchases. Points may be allocated as a donation to environmental organizations.

Education: Three years ago, Kemper helped led the creation of the UMB Green Team to work on initiatives to reduce greenhouse emissions.