One definition of insanity is repeating failed behavior and expecting a different result. (Deep water drilling anyone?) If we look at the fractal stupidity that passes for business as usual, we can make a strong case for institutionalization of those individuals and practices.

And there’s no doubt that environmental programs and environmentalists need to be institutionalized, but in a different way: Simple ideas based on -- dare I say it -- sound economic and sociological principles that just work. And yet they are seen as innovative, maybe because they were not practiced by mainstream actors up to this point.

What comes to mind in this latter point are the “Treasure Hunts” that GE has sponsored in its facilities since 2005. These treasure hunts have uncovered over $130 million in energy savings and have essentially required minimal investment, coupled with people’s enthusiasm and grasp of the basics of efficient operations.

In a cool twist, GE is taking the Treasure Hunt on the road as a result of a partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund. Together, they will look at hospitals, universities, and other worthy institutions. A recent Treasure Hunt at Continuum Health Partners’ Roosevelt Hospital in New York over the course of a weekend uncovered over $2 million worth of cost-effective (payback in about 2.5 years) energy savings.

Another form of institutionalization of the environment is the ongoing development and diffusion of green standards -- in buildings, LEED and Energy Star are the most obvious in the U.S. Moving from green things to green organizations and processes is a logical next step. It is a next step that has been jointly undertaken by UL Environment in partnership with GreenerBuildings.com's parent company, Greener World Media.

"ULE 880 - Sustainability for Manufacturing Organizations" is a third-party, points-based standard that will feature three levels of certification to measure and rate the sustainability of an entire business based on 102 indicators in five areas: sustainability governance, environment, workforce, customers and suppliers, and social and community engagement. Certification levels will depend on how many of the 200 available points are achieved by companies seeking certification.

The Princeton Review’s green ratings for colleges is rapidly becoming an institution and increasingly a part of students' decision-making process -- 67 percent of respondents to a Princeton Review survey indicated that the green review contributed to their decision about which school to attend. Begun only three years ago, the number of schools responding to the survey has grown by 50 percent from just about 500, with 11 schools on the "Green Honor Roll” to over 700 colleges and universities. We highlight the 18 schools on the 2011 Honor Roll, all of which achieved the top score of 99. The score reflects green performance in areas ranging from the amount of organic or local food served as a percentage of the total food budget and requirements for LEED-Silver construction or equivalent, to whether the school offers an environmental degree or certificate program.

Next Page: The Green Transition Scoreboard and more.