Greening new and emerging markets: Defining Best Practices Due 5/8.

A. Pick an existing market that's small enough to shift with localized effort ( Portland Oregon Breweries/ Beer Industry/ Sustainability).

B. Describe the market forces at play that are keeping your market from being greener (~one page).

C. Now, describe an action plan for greening that market using at least three different types of voluntary incentives (e.g. tax credits, recognition, loan guarantees, etc...) (~one page).

D. Include how those actions will be financed (~1 page).

More info for assignment:

Casey, F. et. al.(2006). Incentives for Biodiversity Conservation: An Ecological and Economic Assessment. Washington, D.C.: Defenders of Wildlife
http://www.defenders.org/resources/publications/programs_and_policy/science_and_economics/conservation_economics/incentives_for_biodiversity_conservation.pdf

International Living Building Institute (2010). The Living Building Challenge 2.0: A Visionary Path to a Restorative Future: Cascadia Green Building Council. https://ilbi.org/lbc/LBC%20Documents/LBC2-0.pdf

Read through at least one case study of a Living Building. http://living-future.org/living-building-challenge/case-studies/certified-projects

Implement an annual competition for local brewers to compete in. Design a set of criteria and assign points in individual categories such as Low-Carbon, Low-Water, Community Involvement, and Social Equity. As well as awarding a cup for the "Most Sustainable Beer" in the Portland Metro region.
Encourage sustainability within the industry by establishing baselines of carbon and water consumption, and working to lower waste and over consumption. Establish involvement with the community and promote social equity.

PROBLEM STATEMENT/RESEARCH QUESTION

We want to see local brewers pay attention and better implement ways to measure and reduce their use of non-renewable resources, specifically limiting water and energy consumption throughout the entire brewing process. While increasing sustainability, we also want to see brewers connect with the local community, promote social equity, and participate in the annual Sustainability Beer Cup. It's important that sustainability is incorporated into brewing so that we limit unnecessary waste of carbon and water throughout the supply chain and distribution process, as well as provide social equity and partnerships within the Portland Metro Area. How can brewers establish baseline levels of water and energy use? How can they work to reduce these levels of consumption? How can they give back to the community while reducing overall waste? How can they contribute to the social equity of beer production itself? (i.e. benefits and fair wages for employees across the entire span of production, number of jobs created, cost of the beer to the consumer, and quality/taste of the beer).

BUDGET

The Sustainability Beer Cup could be hosted indoors or outdoors depending on the season. This event would be mainly run by volunteers. Most of the funds would go towards advertising and marketing prior the event. The way we will organize the event is using features such as billboards, social media, television, posters, apps, shirts, hats, beer mugs, etc.. .
Our current partners are Willamette Partnership and Institute of Sustainable Solution. In order to get more potential sponsors we will send out proposals to Portland Breweries and other companies that may have an interest to be a sponsor.