BLOG.ACCOONLINE.ORG: Results from ACCO's first formation meeting (January 12, 2009)

Results from ACCO's first formation meeting (January 12, 2009)

On January 12, Peter Gray, Peter Gillon and I hosted the first meeting to discuss formation of the organization. The meeting was attended by more than 40 thought leaders from companies and organizations including APX, BAE Systems, Camco North America, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services, Delta Air Lines, El Paso Corporation, Evolution Markets, First Environment, Johns Hopkins University, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Pepco Energy Services, the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, SAIC, U-Haul, Volvo, Washington Gas, Waste Management and Zurich Financial Services.

ACCO technical advisor, Stephen O. Andersen (Director of Strategic Projects at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), led off with a presentation on the importance of developing an organization that will provide timely news, professional networks, information on dependable and best practices, partnerships, clout and appreciation to members. We then led a dialogue with attendees on a proposed mission for the organization, which resulted in:

To advance the professional knowledge, skills and experience of those dedicated to managing and implementing response to challenges and opportunities relating to climate change and energy issues, to educate policymakers regarding such issues, and to assist in developing, promoting and implementing best practices and standards in the private and public sectors regarding climate change and energy issues.

Early organization goals suggested by attendees included:

Provide a reliable resource for information and professionals to industry, institutions and government
Enhance public awareness of ACCO and the duties and needs of its members
Develop a certification and re-certification program
Provide a platform of continuing professional education to include focuses on converting liabilities to assets, thought leadership products, affecting leadership and inducing behavior change, and developing mentoring programs;
Education of companies, organizations and government on the advantages of having a climate program and team (to include efforts to induce behavior change);
Focus on standardization and benchmarking in order to "bring order to the chaos"; and
Developing partnerships with entities whose services would be beneficial to the development of ACCO's infrastructure and/or to ACCO members.

Member service programs discussed included:

Certification program
Committees and working groups
Education and training
Web site with job bank, carbon trading, consultant and publications databases
Newsletter
Annual meeting and networking opportunities
Speakers bureau
Social networking

Other tools and member programs that were suggested include:

Standard set of communication tools and metrics
Proprietary carbon credit insurance program for member companies, with preferred terms and rates
Model corporate climate change program – general and specific to industry sector
Model climate disclosure documents - for internal and external use
Model job descriptions and organization structures for
climate change officers

Based on feedback from the event, we incorporated the organization on Thursday, January 15 as the Association of Climate Change Officers and have been working to schedule the next formation meeting, which will take place in February in Palo Alto, California.

Stay tuned for more information ...