The 2015 State of Wisconsin Sustainability Report

Wisconsin Only State to Issue a
Triple Bottom Line Sustainability Report
 
May 9, 2016 - The Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council, in conjunction with Cool Choices, announces the publication of the 2015 State of Wisconsin Sustainability Report at http://www.wisconsinsustainability.com/wi-sustainability-reports/.
 
Our seventh annual report uses the format of a corporate sustainability report to look at the challenges and accomplishments of the state using 2015 data. We identify the key economic, environmental and social performance indicators for the state.
 
This report is produced each year by students from UW Madison. These students come from a variety of programs, and bring a richness of perspective and background to each year’s report.
 
Some of the highlights of the report include:
Economic

• WI is third in the Midwest in job growth, coming in just ahead of Minnesota, yet ranks 37th nationally.
• WI is the number one state in the nation for cheese, cranberries, beans, ginseng and milk goats.
• 2015 brought an all-time low ranking for entrepreneurial activity in the state.

Environment

• WI tripled the number of solar installations previously installed
• WI has the highest average electricity rates in the midwest
• WI is home to over 200 water technology companies and has established itself as the Freshwater Capitol of the World

Social

• WI’s High School Graduation Differential between white students and African American students is the largest in the nation.
• Drug deaths increased by 19%.
• WI ranks third in the nation in the number of people who volunteer for charities or social services

                  
Though we believe we are the only state producing a report like this, our work is modeled on sustainability reports (or corporate social responsibility reports) published by leading businesses such as SCJohnson, MillerCoors and Kohl’s Department Stores. We identify both accomplishments we should be proud of as a state, AND areas where there is still room for improvement.
 
According to Tom Eggert, Executive Director of the WI Sustainable Business Council, "this report is the most comprehensive state sustainability report in the nation. We believe in the adage of `what gets measured gets managed`, so we are highlighting those areas of our state`s performance that produce strong economic performance,  contribute to a clean environment, and create a desirable place to live."
 
“Wisconsin has a strong history of leadership on sustainability—ranging from Aldo Leopold’s work in the environmental realm to Wisconsin’s bi-partisan efforts to create the nation’s first worker’s compensation laws in the early 20th century. Other states will follow Wisconsin to create similar reports in the coming years,” noted Kathy Kuntz, Executive Director of Cool Choices.

See the press release:
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Tom
Tom Eggert
Executive Director
WI Sustainable Business Council
608 279-8608



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Ken Notes: Great Report. I hope all our legislators get a good look at this!