Science of Sustainability - Industrial Ecology for Thriving Businesses and Communities June 16, 2010

Industrial Ecology has been called the "science of sustainability". It looks to natural systems for the new principles of design and operation of community and industrial systems. Environmental footprint, local carry capacity, closed loop economies, zero waste and by-product synergies are some of the concepts that leading communities and organizations are capitalizing on today.

Gain indispensable insights for the future possibilities of your business and your community in this interdisciplinary workshop.

Unique On-Line Delivery and Learning:

Using on-line webinars, question & answer sessions, polls and forums this program will provide current case studies, best practice examples and hands-on application of concepts.

It will be delivered over 4 weeks in 1.5 hour webinar sessions and through application exercises. The sessions will be recorded and available for your review at any time. We recommend that you follow the entire course, however, the first module can be attended on its own as an introduction to Industrial Ecology. If after trying the first Module - you want to attend the entire course, participants can opt into the full course at the Regular registration rate (less $ 99). The Modules of the course include:

Module 1: Industrial Ecology and its Concepts

June 16, 2010, 1:00 - 2:30 pm EST

What is industry? How is it defined? Is it sustainable?
What concepts of ecology are being newly applied to industry within communities and within business?
What is industrial ecology?
What are the main concepts of industrial ecology (definitions) : systems thinking, "food" webs, circular and closed loop economies, carrying capacity and ecological footprint, by-product synergies, zero waste and mimicking natural systems.
Food Web/Supply Chain Application Exercise
Key Resources & Further Reading
Module 2: Concepts & Tools - Biomimicry, Material Flow Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment

June 23, 2010, 1:00-2:30 pm EST

Overview of Biomimicry & Ecological Engineering and Design
Conducting a Material Flow Analysis & Understanding Idustrial Metabolism in business and urban environments.
Overview & Applications of Life Cycle Assessment
Life Cycle Assessment Application Exercise
Key Resources & Further Reading
Module 3: Concepts & Tools - Industrial Symbosis, Urban Industrial Ecology, Information Technology

June 30, 2010, 1:00 - 2:30 pm EST

Concepts and Applications for Industrial Symbosis.
Applying Urban Industrial Ecology to Eco-Business Zones
Information Technology - "matching tools" for industrial ecology to communities and business.
Application Exercise - Making the Case for Industrial Ecology in Business and Communities (examining drivers and barriers).
Key Resources and Further Reading
Module 4: Practical Implementation of Industrial Ecology: Policy & Corporate Governance Best Practices

July 7, 2010 1:00 - 2:30 pm EST

Case studies & best practices of policies - International, Canadian, provincial, regional and municipal.
Case studies & best practices of corporate governance practices and models for industrial ecology.
Challenges and tactics for overcoming barriers to implementation - discussion and examples.
How Industrial Ecology will affect your work in the next year - next steps in building a plan of action.
Key Resources and further reading.
Who Should Attend:

This course will be of value to:

For Municipalities
• Municipal staff (planning, engineering, facilities managers, parks and recreation, transportation, energy and water management, sustainability, economic development)
• Municipal politicians
• Developers
• Utility companies
• Business Improvement Associations
• Chambers of Commerce
• Anyone who wants to understand how the principals of industrial ecology serve as a foundation for community sustainability.

For Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Businesses:
• Facilities Managers
• Engineers
• Plant Managers
• Environmental Health and Safety Personnel
• Sustainability and Environmental Managers
• Research and Development leaders
• Quality Personnel
• Purchasing Personnel
• “Green Teams” implementing sustainability initiatives


Expert Workshop Leader:

Tracy Casavant, P.Eng (Chml), M.E.S.

President, Eco-Industrial Solutions

Since founding Eco-Industrial Solutions in 2001, Tracy’s work has been dedicated to planning and managing the development of eco-industrial parks, and to transforming existing business clusters into eco-business zones. Tracy led the development of the Partners in Project Green strategy to create the Pearson Eco-Business Zone and is currently the co-development manager/technical lead for the TaigaNova Eco-Industrial Park in Fort McMurray. Her work has been internationally recognized. She is currently co-chairing the industrial symbiosis track of the International Sustainable Development Research Conference in Hong Kong in June 2010, and has been invited to deliver workshops and presentations in Mexico, Ecuador, Taiwan, Korea, and China. Tracy has more than 15 years experience related to sustainability and industry. Eco-Industrial Solutions Ltd. has offices in Vancouver and Montreal, and affiliate offices in Toronto.