CRM Activities and Services
The following areas represent the key activities and services of the CRM. The Center is available to undertake work at the request of an individual client, or a consortium of clients. The Center also initiates independent projects it believes in, usually on behalf of a coalition of stakeholders.
- Collaborative Multi-Sector Coalitions, Initiatives & Charters
- Environmental Assessments and Strategies
- Conflict Resolution
- Conference & Policy Dialogues
- Research & Demonstration Projects
- Environmental
Education, Films and Books
Finally, the CRM has extensive experience in developing environmental education initiatives including: the preparation of environmental newsletters for project partners (Clear Creek Watershed Initiative, Wal-Mart, Golf & the Environment); developing project web sites (Golf & the Environment, the Communications Environmental Excellence Initiative); developing environmental education centers for several Wal-Mart demonstration stores; creating educational content and public outreach materials to accompany technical projects; and acting as a partner, researcher, and/or editor for a number of film and book projects. CRM film projects include Subdivide & Conquer (financial agent); Yosemite: Fate of Heaven; Profits & Loss; and Greenbucks. Books include Greenhouse Glasnost (Terrell J. Minger, Editor) and Deep Design (authored by David Wann, while on assignment to CRM from US EPA).
The CRM has extensive experience in building creative partnerships and collaborative multi-party initiatives on behalf of the environment. Often, this work involves an industrial sector. CRM provides facilitation, management, funding and implementation services to these projects. CRM has active coalitions with the golf and telecommunications industries. In both cases, a "charter" or statement of basic environmental principles was developed as the first step in an ongoing partnership between multiple parties. The Charter establishes a baseline of consensus, and an agreed upon commitment for the future. From this platform, CRM is often able to proceed with discrete multi-party project work on behalf of the industry. CRM is also a current partner in a non-industry Charter effort — the Western Charter, which identifies uniquely western values and principles. Other initiatives include "Waste Link", a computerized network of public and private partners working on integrated solid waste management issues and "EMAC", the Environmental Marketing and Advertising Coalition.
The CRM has worked with several partners to develop a variety of environmental assessments and organizational strategies. For clients including Ben & Jerry’s, S.C. Johnson & Son, Pebble Beach Resort Company, World Bank, Wal-Mart and Coors Brewing Company, CRM has provided critical analysis of existing environmental programs and efforts, as well as informed advice regarding targeted areas of improvement, potential initiatives, etc. Tools used to conduct these assessments include surveys and focus groups, data collection and analysis, site analysis, and comparative sector analysis. Depending upon the needs of the client, CRM is able to provide technical analysis of environmental systems and performance, and also strategic advice on how to enhance a client’s environmental performance and credibility both internally and externally.
The bedrock of the CRM’s history, environmental conflict resolution, represents an area in which CRM remains active. Whether the dispute is between two identified parties, or around a broader environmental issue or action, the Center is available to provide a variety of conflict resolution services. In recent years, the Center acted as an intermediary in a lawsuit between a major manufacturing company and an environmental group, negotiating a settlement that directed funding to a third party responsible for restoration of the compromised resource. CRM also facilitated a debate between a national consortium of religious interests and a major US corporation on the issue of chlorine and its effects. Historically, the Center has also used "by invitation" workshops to bring parties on opposite sides of an issue together to make progress and develop a workable consensus.
Another hallmark of the Center’s work is its expertise in organizing/facilitating conferences and policy dialogues. Dating back to 1981, the Center has conducted dozens of symposia, conferences and workshops, all geared toward advancing a particular environmental issue or problem. Conferences are designed to promote an active dialogue and exchange of views that often results in new policy options, or potential demonstration projects and activities. Participants are carefully selected to ensure that the opportunity exists to advance the issue during the conference itself, or to build a meaningful coalition of interests that could advance an issue after the conference. The Center is prepared to manage all aspects of conference development: funding, agenda development, steering committee oversight, conference facilitation, logistical support, materials preparation, etc. A full list of the CRM’s conferences and workshops can be viewed from this location. More...
The Center coordinates environmental research projects, and manages a variety of innovative demonstration projects. Research has included analysis of corporate environmental decision making for the Hewlett Foundation, project surveys, and many original studies conducted for specific clients. The CRM also seeks opportunities to initiate and/or manage active demonstration projects. These demonstrations put new environmental practices and/or technologies to the test in on-the-ground, monitored applications. Often, demonstration projects are the product of strategic multi-sector partnerships. Examples include the conceptualization and development of 3 "green building" stores for Wal-Mart; the restoration of the existing Presidio Golf Course and the development of a new golf course in Scituate, Massachusetts using the Golf & Environment principles.