By Derek Top, Senior Editor, Program Director – VERGE
We’re in the home stretch for next week’s VERGE London event. Panel discussions include how to capitalize on convergence opportunities, with Cisco, VantagePoint Capital Partners and Shell Foundation, and the role of connected cars, with representatives from Jaguar Land Rover and Vauxhall Ampera, the first ‘plug-in’ passenger car to be sold in the UK. Also on tap are speakers from the London School of Economics, Atkins, Alertme.com, IBM, Whipcar.com, Carbon Disclosure Project and more.
This week we preview two topics to be presented at VERGE London. First, Joel Makower breaks down Microsoft’s bold plan to achieve ?carbon neutrality? for companywide energy use by enabling big data and information technologies. And SustainAbility’s Mohammed Al-Shawaf offers three compelling reasons why mayors are partnering with businesses to drive sustainable growth in cities.
Elsewhere, AOL Energy outlines the multiple benefits for building owners who integrate demand-response technology and AT&T launches ‘Digital Life’, a web-based platform for remote monitoring and energy management services, found at Fierce Wireless.
From GreenBiz
Recyclebank’s iPhone app aims to ease London traffic congestion
By Adam Aston
Recyclebank’s new citywide mobile app, designed by Nike’s digital advertising agency, rewards London cyclers and walkers with discounts at local merchants, including Marks & Spencer./www.greenbiz.com/blog/2012/05/09/how-recyclebanks-iphone-app-eases-london-traffic-congestion”>…Read More
Why city mayors are a sustainability director’s new best friends
By Mohammed Al-Shawaf
There are three reasons why mayors — who have both real power and real accountability — should be at the top of the list of partners for companies driving sustainable growth.
A window into Microsoft’s quest to become ‘carbon neutral’
By Joel Makower
Microsoft new commitment to achieve ?carbon neutrality? for its energy use is a bold and somewhat unusual plan, fueled by IT and conducted for all the world to see.
VERGE Executive Series: Q&A with Jones Lang LaSalle’s Bob Best and Dave Gralnik
By Don Reed
The global real estate firm looks to change the economics for building owners investing in new sensor technologies and building automation systems.
The 7 lessons learned from 24 million EV miles
By Adam Aston
After evaluating 24 million miles of electric-vehicle driving, the EV Project has learned some lessons that could have huge implications for EVs’ success. Here’s what we know now.
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What We’re Reading
AOL Energy
Big data doesn’t sleep: Demand response trends
Automated demand response technology allows buildings to grow from responding to an occasional emergency process to one designed to fit a customer’s individual needs.
EnVision 2030
Smart grid interoperability: Q&A with DNV KEMA Global Operations Director
A deeper dive into DNV KEMA’s new interop lab and the importance of the testing new products and services to get a glimpse at what an optimal smart grid may look like in the future.
Fierce Wireless
AT&T to offer home automation services in U.S. via ‘Digital Life’ launch
Digital Life services will include home remote monitoring and automation services featuring Web-based access to automation, energy and water controls, as well as professionally monitored security s...Read More
Earth2Tech
How big data can track the pain points in population growth
Mining data from the web, social media and government and financial sites can help identify early signs of food and water shortages and more effectively manage a community’s resources.
TechCrunch
The future Is going retail: Nest thermostat now selling at Lowe?s
Nest and Lowe?s have teamed up to sell the Nest ?learning thermostat? at 500 Lowe?s stores throughout the country, a first for a major bit of high-tech geekery.
Sponsored Content
Join Paul Hawken and Joel Makower May 31-June 3 in L.A.
Are you an early stage entrepreneur in green business or cleantech? Are you looking to network, build skills, and gain exposure for your company from the press or investors? Green Business BASE CAMP’s 4-day intensive workshop will put you on the path to success. Limited space available. Apply now!
Sponsored Content
Free GreenBiz.com Webcast: How to Design a Data-Driven Sustainability Program
Improving sustainability performance against critical business requirements can be tricky. How do you build a business case for automating sustainability management? How should your company decide strategic focus areas that matter most to your stakeholders? What are the best ways to calculate results and report? Hear how Columbia Sportswear and JLL approach this challenge in a lively webcast moderated by Joel Makower. You’ll learn how to: communicate the value of program investments; prioritize sustainability goals and initiatives; gain transparency in energy and sustainability performance gain “in the trenches” experience on facilitating stakeholder engagement. Click here to register.