The first and central thread in this dialog on radical transparency is the question: "Will it be enough to yield/drive radical transformation for sustainability?" Here are a few thoughts and observations on the subject.

Social intrapreneurs or corporate changemakers, who initiate social and environmental projects to bring their ideals to work and create value for their companies, can exist in nearly every organization. Yet it takes a conducive corporate culture to fully unlock their potential.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- These big-name consumer brands published their annual corporate responsibility reports this week highlighting progress they’ve made: Verizon improved its carbon intensity and fleet fuel consumption, while Molson Coors Brewing Co. reduced absolute emissions, water use, waste and energy use in 2008. For the first time, absolute water use shrank while overall production volume grew for bottler Coca Cola Hellenic.

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Water conservation, energy efficiency, retrofits and other eco-friendly initiatives yielded Baxter International Inc. a total of $11.9 million in environmental income, savings and cost avoidance for 2008, the diversified healthcare products firm said in its latest sustainability report.

Now that you've made the the business case for going green in your company's operations, whether you're the new CSO or just part of a green team, there are a few basic steps that can help move your company toward success in its green goals.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Investors who want to put their money behind companies that manage environmental impacts responsibly received news of two new options this week. One from Carbon Disclosure Project and Markit tracks companies with robust carbon management strategies, while another from NASDAQ targets strong corporate sustainability reporters.

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- The grocery retailer is highlighting locally grown fruits and vegetables in its supermarkets, saying that almost a third of its produce sections come from nearby farms.

The increase in food-borne illnesses and the locavore movement has created momentum for more detailed information about where our food comes from.

There's a growing school of thought that unfettered information about the environmental impacts of our world will smoke out the bad guys and help the good guys win. I wish it were that simple.

As California's bottle-recycling bill shows, making recycling convenient and easy provides boons to retailers, states and shoppers, while helping to increase overall recycling rates at the same time.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A "virtual tsunami" of products touting environmental attributes is flooding the marketplace with little, if any, evidence to help consumers determine what is green or greenwash, according to the assessment of experts who offered lawmakers their opinion of the state of green marketing.

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- A new Ipsos Marketing study suggests green packaging for food products is in and convenient packaging is out for consumers. The food itself should include fresh ingredients and deliver health benefits.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Federal Trade Commission charged the three companies with making false and unsubstantiated claims about the biodegradability of plates, moist wipes and towels. While the products may actually be biodegradable, the FTC argues the claims are misleading since the products are typically throw in the trash.