American Express, Local Roofing Company Recognized for Sustainable Practices

American Express and a local roofing business were honored for their ability to achieve commercial success while following sustainable business practices.

The Beard Institute presented its annual Green to Gold award on April 4, applauding American Express’ initiatives to operate sustainably while achieving profitability.

“Students and faculty were excited to see a financial services company selected for their transparency and involvement in sustainability reporting,” said Dr. Robert Sroufe, The Beard Institute director for applied sustainability. “Other notable practices include building a LEED gold data center, decreasing carbon emissions, continuing energy conservation, using solar energy, supporting the Feeding America Food Banks and reporting continued high customer satisfaction. While engaging in these environmental and social value creation practices, this company has also consistently increased shareholder equity, net income, total revenues and stock price since 2009.”

To receive the Green to Gold Award, candidate companies are selected based on their performance in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, MSCI Global Socrates Corporate Environmental Social and Governance data and financial performance against their peer industry group. Following the initial analysis of company performance in each index, candidate companies are then screened by a panel of Duquesne University MBA Sustainability students and the winner is selected following the criteria set forth by Dan Esty and Andrew Winston, the co-authors of Green to Gold, a seminal book regarding private enterprise and leadership in sustainability.

Duquesne’s Center for Green Industries and Sustainable Business Growth, for the second year, similarly selected a local small business based upon its ability to implement sustainable practices while remaining profitable, obtaining green certifications and demonstrating social responsibility, said Dr. James Phillips, senior director of sponsored research at Duquesne.

Burns & Scalo Roofing Co. was chosen for the Pennsylvania Sustainable Small Business Award because of its selection of living roof and photovoltaic solar roofing options, as well as for applying general sustainability practices to its operations.

The Thornburg-based company uses a three-pronged approach to reduce its environmental footprint, improve people’s lives and create a positive economic impact. Through renewables and certified smart lighting options, the firm reduced energy consumption at its headquarters by 45 to 50 percent.

As well as focusing on its own sustainability, Burns & Scalo Roofing fosters community sustainability, Phillips said. Partnering with Goodwill of Southwestern PA and The Education Partnership, a group that upcycles office supplies for school children, the company impacts the community.

“The Pennsylvania Sustainable Small Business Award mirrors the sustainability efforts that the center tries to impart with other small businesses in the region,” Phillips said. “We want this award to honor those succeeding in sustainability but also to encourage other small businesses to see that profitability and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.”