We're halfway through 2010 already -- how did that happen? -- and while 2011 still seems miles off, we're already thinking about our 2011 State of Green Business report, our annual assessment of how well companies are doing in addressing environmental issues. A glance at the stories we're serving up this week suggests that there's progress. Indeed, you'll find stories here on six of our 20 indicators: employee telecommuting, greenhouse gas emissions, e-waste, materials use and waste, paper use and recycling (two stories, actually), and the fuel efficiency of corporate vehicle fleets.

The bumper crop of stories on these and other topics also illuminates another reality of the green business world: Nothing slows down during the summer. That didn't used to be the case. Time was, corporate announcements slowed down or stopped during the summer, when fewer people (and reporters) were paying attention. (For that matter, time was when corporate green environmental announcements were limted to the third week in April.)

But consider: It was one year ago this week that Walmart rattled the corporate world with the introduction of its Sustainability Index. That pretty much sealed the deal that midsummer would grant no relief to harried sustainability professionals. This summer, we're getting advance word of more big corporate launches and announcements. Stay tuned.

The New Laws of Energy Efficiency: Our summer line-up of webinars isn't slowing down, either. On Thursday this week, I'll be hosting a free webinar featuring experts from UL Environment and the U.S. Department of Commerce on the new regulatory environment of energy efficiency: how governments around the world are focusing in on energy-related claims and labels, and what you need to know to be in compliance and remain competitive. More information and registration information can be found here. Coming up on July 29: how manufacturing companies are achieving zero waste. More on that next week.

Want to be a Certified Biomimicry Professional? My friends at the Biomimicry Institute (on whose board I sit) are about to close registration for the 2011 Biomimicry Professional Certification Program. This remarkable two-year program accepts just 16 people: a dynamic group of four biologists, four engineers, four designers, and four businesspeople from around the world who embark on an incredible academic journey together. Past grads are now teaching biomimicry workshops around the world, speaking at international conferences, and consulting with Fortune 500 clients on some of their most intriguing sustainability and design innovation challenges. Applications are due July 15. More information here.

This website assists companies in making informed, environmentally responsible decisions about purchasing, selling and using paper products.

 This report, based on a survey of more than 2,200 workers around the world, looks at the impact that corporate social responsibility programs have on employees.

Join UL Environment, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and GreenBiz.com as they walk through the coming changes to help manufacturers and other stakeholders understand the new regulated landscape of energy efficiency, as well as how energy-efficient products can be used for competitive advantage in global markets.