SPaRK™ better ideas with the
Sustainability Planning and Reporting Kit

Confused about how to create a sustainability plan?

Daunted by how to identify and track meaningful sustainability metrics?

Wondering how you'll find time to create a sustainability report?

SPaRK™ is a process for helping organizations quickly develop a sustainability plan and report format, with electronic files that help support that effort. The electronic files include and Excel worksbook with many of the common analyses and metrics an organization would use. This is linked to a Word template for an internal sustainability plan and report so that the charts and graphs from the Excel file automatically show up in the right places. We use SPaRK with clients and train others how to use it.

See also the companion guide, The Step by Step Guide to Sustainability Planning, under Published Work.

Page Quicklinks: SPaRK Process * SPaRK Tools * SPaRK Sampler * SPaRK Contents * People trained in SPaRK

SPaRK Process

We can usually get an organization to a first- or second-generation sustainability plan in 2-3 days (separated in time) or 5-6 half-days. We start where you are in this process:

  1. Understanding sustainability and choosing framework(s)
  2. Clarifying the strategic business case for pursuing sustainability
  3. Conducting an impacts assessment to identify important areas to manage
  4. Developing metrics and a sustainability report template
  5. Building a long-term plan with targets and projects
  6. Developing support systems to manage your sustainability program

 

SPaRK Tools

SPaRK tools consist of three elements:

Excel file—This is your 'mother ship.' It includes spreadsheets to do analyses (e.g., business case, impacts assessment) and a high-level long-term plan. It also has set up for you spreadsheets and charts for most of the common metrics organizations would track (including greenhouse gases, waste, water, sustainable sales, living wage, paper, etc.) We also provide a cross-reference to the Global Reporting Initiative indicators.

Word templates—Charts and graphs from the Excel file jump into the templates so you can create an up-to-date report any time. Right now, there is a template for a sustainability plan and internal report. We are building other templates and you can build your own.

Instruction manual—A partially completed template with instructions, showing you what your end product should or could look like.

 

SPaRK Sampler

The following are screen prints from the Excel file 'mother ship':

Table of Contents—The first few items and the legend

Impacts assessment

Graphs—Some of the charts already set up for you. For a complete listing of spreadsheets and charts, see SPaRK Contents below.

 

SPaRK Contents

Excel file

 Word File

GENERAL

  • Table of contents
  • Process overview
  • Cross-reference to GRI

PLANNING/ASSESSMENT

  • Business case (2 options)
  • Vision
  • Charter (for sustainability committee or task force)
  • Strategic summary of decisions (org or community)
  • Sustainability Metrics and Plan
  • Impacts Assessment
  • Major Metrics (plus chart to track progress)
  • SCORE assessment results

METRICS

  • Financial log (to track savings w/ a few charts)
  • Return on investment (to track average ROI for capital projects)
  • Greenhouse gases (simple calculator for Scopes 1, 2 and some Scope 3 emissions; charts for trends, by Scope, major sources, detailed sources, and normalized)
  • Green procurement (with chart)
  • Living wages (with chart for living wages and gender equity)
  • Turnover/retention
  • Sustainable sales
  • Water (with a couple charts)
  • Charitable contributions (a couple charts)
  • Waste (with charts for recycling rate, solid waste trends
  • Paper
  • Toxics

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

  • Structure
  • Sustainability management system
  • Communication plan
  • Metrics worksheet

PROJECT TOOLS

  • Project plan
  • Purchasing inventory
  • Chemical inventory (simple structure for a chemical inventory)

 

 

Executive summary

  • Business case
  • Visions
  • Strengths and areas for improvement
  • Priorities for next year

Sustainability Assessment and Systems

  • Impacts assessment
  • Sustainability metrics
  • Long-term sustainability plan
  • Structures
  • Systems
  • Sustainability Progress Report for Last Year
  • Sustainability scorecard of major metrics
  • Progress toward goals
  • Special projects

Sustainability Plan for Next Year

  • Major projects and goals
  • Barriers and responsibilities
  • Plan for involvement and communication
  • Action plans for projects

 

 

 

Click here to download a flier on SPaRK™.

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"This essential training helps balance the focus of your green journey by looking at the triple bottom line. It’s not just about environmental management but also promotes economic prosperity and social capital. The tools are meaningful and can be adapted to whatever your discipline."

—Tim Center, Esq.,Vice President, Sustainability Initiatives
Collins Center for Public Policy and Sustainable Florida

“Thanks for an enlightened day at the Challenger Learning Center. I’ve become so much smarter in just one day. And for that I can’t thank you enough.”

—Kha Le-Huu, President, Le-Huu Partners  Architects \ Urbanists

 

 

SPaRK-lers

The following people have been trained to use SPaRK or got our tools via our consulting engagements. (We call them SPaRKlers becuase they have tools to spark better ideas!) If they use SPaRK with another organization, we ask that they purchase an up-to-date copy of SPaRK (which we treat as shareware and charge $100). The list is in alphabetical order by location and then first name.

Name—Organization (if known)—Phone (if known)—Location (if known)

ARIZONA
Rick Wilcox—Wilcox Professional Services, LLC—480.607.2244—AZ

CALIFORNIA
Barbara Hamilton——760 717-6627—CA
Chris Yalonis—Communique Partners—415 453-9030—CA
Darin Dinsmore—Regional Planning Partners—530 277-0196—CA
Gabrielle Sims———CA
Joseph Pulice —AAA NCNU—new: (925) 279-2571 —CA
Julie Roulette—Beautiful Footprint—619 225-1199—CA
Rhana Pytell—Green Spa Network——CA

COLORADO
Cal Craig—Avalon Development Corp—303 642-7360—CO

FLORIDA
Alena Alberani—Sustainable Community Partners—(954) 798-0171—FL
Anke Arnaud—Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—386-226-4962—FL
Annette Roath—Freedom By Design Group—727-542-4667—FL
Audrey Chestnut—Sarasota County Government—(941) 650-3124—FL
Bernice McQueen—City of Tallahassee—(850) 891-8288—FL
Betty Alpaugh—Sarasota County Government—(941) 232-5428—FL
Brian Doyle—NCH Healthcare Systems—(239) 293-4388—FL
Carol Hinton—University of Florida——FL
Carol Hinton—UFTREEO—352-392-9520 x 209—FL
Carol Newcomb-Jones—Kitson & Partners—(239) 634-3300—FL
Charlie Venuto—Kennedy Space Center——FL
Chris Claus—St Petersburg Water Resources Dept—727 892-5688—FL
Chris Spire—MSIA Associates LLC—(561) 792-2655—FL
Christopher Dinklage—Mosaic—(813) 672-7239—FL
Craig Ash—Mora-Ash International LLC—561 699-7822, 561 395-6665—FL
Daniel Parker—Florida Department of Health—850-245-4231—FL
David Byrne—City of Tallahassee—(850) 891-6898—FL
David Norvell—University of Central Florida—407-823-0970—FL
Dawna Rhoades—Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—386-226-7756—FL
Gerry Segal—Florida Gulf Coast University—(239) 590-7389—FL
Heidi von Korff——(352) 207-8052—FL
Ivette Sanchez—Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC)—(407) 423-9100—FL
Jaime Boswell—Johnson Engineering, Inc.—(239) 707-8172—FL
Jan Bell—Carlton Fields——FL
Janet Simoneaux—JM Family Enterprises, Inc.—954-420-4731—FL
Jeff Infinger——(727) 686-2430—FL
Jennifer Cherrier—Florida A & M University—(850) 561-2134—FL
Jennifer Szaro—Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC)—(407) 423-9100—FL
Jimmy Massey—Marion County Planning Department—(352) 438-2600—FL
Joe Kilsheimer—Joe Hilsheimer Consulting Inc.—407-880-2512—FL
John Daughtridge—Walt Disney World—407-934-7533—FL
Joylene Ware—NASA/Kennedy Space Center—(407) 375-4756—FL
Julie Taury———FL
Karen Childress—WCI Communities—(239) 498-8289—FL
Kathy McLeod—Department of Financial Services—850.413.3100—FL
Keith Whittingham—Rollins College—(407) 646-2184—FL
Kevin Songer—Avid Group—(904) 737-4100—FL
Kha Le-Huu—Le-Huu Partners—(407) 894-0474—FL
Kim Ross—Earth STEPS—850-508-9100—FL
Koren Taylor—City of Tallahassee—(850) 891-8703—FL
Kristin Dozier—Sustainable Tallahassee——FL
Kristin Maria Hebert——cell:3053215647; office 305 740-6262—FL
Laurie Brown—UFTREEO—352-392-9520 x 231—FL
Lee Byron—Sarasota County—(941) 861-6213—FL
Linda Nelson—Earth STEPS—850-321-2486—FL
Maggie Theriot—Leon County Office of Sustainability—(850) 606-5380—FL
Mark Kaplan—Mosaic—850-205-3187—FL
Melissa Corbett—Wakulla County Planning & Community Development—(850) 926-1284—FL
Michael Van Epps—GS Consulting—(561) 339-8039—FL
Michelle Tappouni—Breaking Ground Contracting Company—(904) 388-1350—FL
Mike Ferguson—Winter Park Construction—407-644-8923—FL
Monique Brijbasi—City of Tallahassee—(850) 891-8563—FL
Nancy Schneider—Earthpeople—(305) 720-4464—FL
Parker Keen—Mosaic—(813) 671-6215—FL
Patricia Cohen——(954) 358-9977—FL
Rebecca Walter—Urban Revitalization Solutions—(954) 270-8003—FL
Robert Wigen—City of Tallahassee—(850) 891-8465—FL
Roberta Fernandez—Planet Partnership—813-412-7455—FL
Sandara Whitehead—Florida Department of Health——FL
Sharon Hanna-West—University of South Florida—(813) 974-6893—FL
Stan Rosenthal—Leon County Cooperative Extension——FL
Sue Carlson—Integrated Green Systems, LLC—(321) 242-2687—FL
Ted Astolfi—Lorax, LLC; Sustainability Works——FL
Terri Staniec—Covanta Energy—352-365-1611 x227—FL
Tim Center—Sustainable Florida - Collins Center—850-219-0082 x 104—FL
Timothy Frendo—3BL, LLC—(813) 657-3037—FL
Venus Childs—City of Tallahassee—850-891-8719—FL
Vestina Crayton— —727-582-2100—FL
Will Sheftall—Leon County Cooperative Extension——FL

GEORGIA
Benjamin Tunnell—Shaw Contract Group—(850) 980-4040—GA
Marla Prince—Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp.—770-751-0046—GA

IOWA
Donna Ramaeker Zahn———IO

MARYLAND
Barbara Jacobs—Mount St Mary's University—301 447-5000—MD

MISSIPPI
Elaine Couchman—NASA—(228) 813-6276—MS

OREGON
Andrew Jackman—City of Damascus—503 658-8545—OR
Barry Russell—Encore Cermaics—541 955-8382—OR
Brandon Lesowske——503 869-5051—OR
Brett Hamilton—Oregon Dental Association—503 740 0820—OR
Bruce Barbarasch—Tualitan Hills Park & Recreations Distric—503 629-6305 X2950—OR
Catherine Diviney—Portland Publc Schools—503 916-2000 X4414—OR
Cecil Chipman—Premier Press—503 223-4984—OR
Christy Kuziensky—Thre Greener Good—503 313-6771—OR
Clay Glasgow—Clackamas County—503 353-4520—OR
Craig Carnagey—City of Albany—541 905 7632—OR
Daniel Vogt—Schnitzer Steel Industries—503 323-2805—OR
Darren Campbell—Coldstream Creative—530 277-8339—OR
Dorcas Safly—OHSU—408 391-0705—OR
Dove Hotz—City of Portland—503 284-7622—OR
Edith Dorsen—Insights, LLC—503 227-5748—OR
Gene Lee—Hawthorne Auto Clinic—713 825 8989—OR
Glenn Esler—AMEC—503 358-0157—OR
Heather Randol—Multnomah County—503 98806042—OR
Heidi Reys—Waggener Edstron Worldwide—503 443-7000—OR
Jack Nickerson—Linn Benton Lincoln ESD—541 812-2653—OR
James McGinnis—Sustainability Solutions—541 488-5938—OR
Jean Baumann—Present Dynmics Inc—503 598-2262—OR
Jennifer Riehl—Glumac—503 227-5280—OR
John Beaston—EasyStreet Online Services—503 646-8400—OR
Katie Insalaco—Oregon Building congress—503 597-1715—OR
Keith Hobson—Tualitan Hills Park & Recreations Distric—503 645-6433—OR
Kelli Pearson——541 915-1620—OR
Kerry Loehr—BGI certificate—503 268-4746, 503 380-9389 cell—OR
Kevin Emerick—Woodfold Mfg. Inc—503 357-7181—OR
Kristen Sagan—Columbia Sportswear—503 985-4191—OR
Lynn St Georges—Dolphin Software—503 635-6455 X137 800 275-6737 X137—OR
Mark Saelens—Solid Waste District—541 547-1285—OR
Marlow Kulley—City of Portland—503 823-3919—OR
Matt Azevedo—Chemeketa Community College—503 399-5249—OR
Melinda Harrington——910 286-7027—OR
Michael Ambrosino—Pacific NW College of Art—503 821 8956—OR
Michael Hoglund—Metro—503 797-1743—OR
Michele Britton—Standard—971 321-7156—OR
Michelle Hippler——503-545-4459—OR
Mike Edwards—URS Corp—03 840-5951—OR
Nancy Bond—Portland Public Schools—503 916-2000 X4279—OR
Peter Brandom—City of Hillsboro—503 681-6191—OR
Rhonda Chapman-Duer—Washington County Support Services—503 846-8685—OR
Robert Woods—OHSU—503 494-3664—OR
Robin Kvach—C&K Market, Inc—541 412-3505—OR
Sherrie Moomey—Nike—503 671-3889—OR
Terry Styner—FedEx Services—503 649-9086—OR
Tracy Meyer—SAIF Corp—503 3738606—OR

SOUTH CAROLINA
David Fowler (Dave)—Broward Community College—954-201-6973—SC

WASHINGTON STATE
Brenda Bachman—USACE—206 764-3524—WA
Jennifer Kenny—City of Olympia—360 753-8031—WA
Lori Danielson——206 764-6177—WA
Michael Harbour—Intercity Transit—360 786-8585—WA
Mistie Josephson—Alling Henning Associates, Inc.—360 82-1579—WA
Seonaidh Davenport———WA
Stephen Pruitt——360 832-7787—WA
Tim Reynolds—CB Engineers—425 564-8400—WA

Bainbridge Graduate Institute Students

Aaron Varney
Adam Justin
Alex Moore
Alex Salkin
Allison Legendre
Andrea Sanford
Andrew Thoennes
Antonya Pickard
Becky Walder
Ben Tunnell
Beth Breisnes
Beth French
Bonnie Wallace
Bonnie Wallace
Bria Schlottman
Brian Behle
Brian Dower
Brian Trunk
Brianna Sherry (Bree)
Caitlin Holliday
Caleb Bushner
Caleb Summers
Canuche Teranelle
Carol Schreitmueller
Carolyn Swenson
Casey Bates
Chantel Bunkers
Charlene Draine
Cheryl Schneiderhan
Christina Staib
Christy Nordstrom
Claudia Mazzocco
Clay Stranger
Colleen Bowman
Corey McKrill
Darren Guyaz
Darren Guyaz
Dave Kozin
Denny Pallenberg
Desieree Rajee
Devin Maloney
Devin Turner
Devin Turner
Doug Hendren
Efrain Moreno-Salamanca
Eliza Michiels
Elyn Heyn
Eric Jordan
Erich Sachs
Evelyn Jones
Gabe Fertman
Gabriel Quislund
Greg Lotakis
Gus Brumder Teichmann
Heidi Bruce
Ian Wilson
Jackie Feinstein
Jake Bryant
Jeff Crowl
Jenn Tam
Jennifer Oakland
Jim McRae
Jodie Emmett
John Rhoads
Julie Kowal
Julie Kowal
Julie Mihalisin
Julie Roulette
Julie Steele
Justin Davis
Justin Fenwick
Justin Fogle
Kamal Patel
Karen Goat
Kate Chase Ryan
Kate Stebbings
Keith Worman
kim Powe
Kris VandeVoort
Lara Stack
Laura Steffen
Lauris Bitners
Libby Johnson McKee
Lyle Perry
Madeleine Alkire
Manan Shukla
Marco Mazzoni
Maria Moses
Marq Sung
Marshall Reiss
Matt Bauer
Matt Schonwald
Mauri Parks
Melissa Buttin
Mercy Rome
Miriam Easley
Miriam Easley
Miriam Easley
Mollie Bogardus
Nate Schlachter
Nathan Lodwig
Nina Carduner
PJ Wilson
Rachel Emmer
Ralph Ebbutt
Ron Swartz
Ryan Arnold
Ryan Brown
Ryan Ceurvorst
Sally Parrott Ashbrook
Sara Prout
Sarah Will
Schuyler Johnston
Scott Turner
Scott Ware
Seonaidh Davenport
Silas Maddox
Stephen Kahill
Stephen Markham
Sue Sivyer
Susan Borg
Suzanne Pinckney
Tamara Kress
Taylor Hess
Theron Jourdan
Theron Jourdan
Tom Long
Tomas Amodio
Trish Cox
Tylor Jeffery
Yogi Rueff
Zach Tillman
Zachary Twist

Location unknown
Amber Smith———
Bernhard Burgener———
Bertrand Tostain———
David Parmenter———
Deanna Bratter———
Deidra Helmig———
Eric Johnson Wildbear———
Gail Lee———
Holly Johnson Shiralipour———
James Leonard———
Jennifer Waller———
Josh Cleveland———
Julie Roulette———
Kim Holmes———
Kim Powe———
Kristi Langdon———
Leslie Laney—Planet Partnership—727 243-1554—
Lisa Satin———
Merc Martinelli——cell 408-888-4784—
Mike L McCarthy———
Rex Holmlin———
Steven Lloyd———
Takeyah Young———
Tammi Olund———
Tim Adler———