Conservation Value Solutions

Sustainable Business

Conservation Value Solutions collaborates with business clients to answer, “Five Key Questions” for advancing sustainability. Together, we use results to (1) enhance measurable, verifiable positive impacts of supply chain sustainability, green procurement, and ESG strategies, and (2) accurately and transparently communicate the benefits that these initiatives generate (thus protecting against the costly risks of greenwashing).

Selected Applications:

  • Conservation Value Solutions’ founder, Jonathan Gelbard, led scientific research and stakeholder consultations to establish NRDC as experts in the problems and solutions of the beef product lifecycle. He synthesized scientific literature to detail scope of (1) environmental degradation caused by ranching, feedlot and feed crop mismanagement, and (2) triple bottom line benefits of sustainable management practices. In addition, Dr. Gelbard’s work representing NRDC in the Walmart Beef Roundtable, The Sustainability Consortium, and the Global Roundtable on Sustainable Beef’s Natural Resources committee was highly praised.
  • Conservation Value Solutions developed and implemented a sustainability strategy for Spaldin, a European manufacturer of eco-friendly mattresses. We published five Triple Pundit blog posts, which attracted high profile media interviews and an invitation to represent Spaldin on an industry Green Board of Governors. In addition, we overhauled the company’s web site and marketing materials to communicate its environmental marketing claims in an accurate, transparent and verifiable manner, which more effectively conveyed product benefits to customers.
  • Conservation Value Solutions partnered with NRDC and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) to spearhead the development of business and marketing plan for a “Montana Wildlife Heritage Stamp” conservation finance program. FWP has elected to pilot this program, and the plan continues to be praised as useful by those developing the initiative.
  • Conservation Value Solutions produced and directed, for the inaugural ROTHBURY festival (promoted by AEG & Madison House Presents), ‘Think Tank’ panels focused on educating fans about climate change and renewable energy solutions. Managed event budget, directly managed and mentored one assistant and ten volunteers. Collaborated with marketing, finance and logistics teams to execute key tasks.
    • Convened 40 speakers/yr, including a diverse array of eminent experts in climate change science & policy (Stephen H. Schneider, Terry Root, Eban Goodstein), renewable energy & sustainable business (e.g., Hunter Lovins, Michel Gelobter), environmental justice (e.g., Winona LaDuke, Wahleah Johns), climate change communication (Anthony Leiserowitz, Bud Ward, David Gershon), musicians and youth leaders.
    • Results: praised by speakers and festival promoters for producing a “first-class”, “amazing” event.
    • Click here for a Yale Climate Connections article about our educational work with entertainment industry partners.
  • Conservation Value Solutions served as San Francisco Sustainability Producer for America’s largest Earth Day event (Green Apple Festival) in 2007 and National Sustainability Producer in 2008-2009. Details of this engagement include:
    • 2007-2008: Designed and implemented sustainability programs for America’s largest Earth Day event, which grew from 3 cities in 2007, to 8-cities in 2008, to 10 cities in 2009. Built the sustainability program for this event: authored sustainability-related marketing and communication content, coordinated with NGOs and local governments to secure speakers; led, managed and mentored local coordinators and interns; designed EcoVillages and sold booth space and sponsorships to green businesses and NGOs. This was a partnership with Earth Day Network.
    • 2009: Led design and execution of America’s largest Earth Day action, collaborating with team led by Peter Shapiro, Earth Day Network and The Discovery Channel’s Planet Green. Developed partnerships with NGOs and government agencies, supervised and mentored local coordinators and interns.
    • Catalyzed over 100 projects in native habitat restoration, urban organic farming, green building, energy efficiency retrofitting, and waste reduction during Earth Day weekend, 2009.
    • Showcased hundreds of green business and NGO vendors, clean energy & vehicle sponsors and exhibitors, educating hundreds of thousands of fans in the valuable benefits of “Green Economy” solutions.
    • Click here for a Yale Climate Connections article about our educational work with entertainment industry partners.