NEWS: Hydro-Québec and Mitsubishi to launch largest electric vehicle trial in Canada Wind power in Ontario generates a new record in 2009 Cloud computing, cleantech make Deloitte's TMT top 10 Green Touch initiative targets 1000-fold improvement in energy efficiency CRS awarded LED research funds Oil sands not as dirty as some think: Report Groupe Aeroplan takes green commitment global with new partnership Pulse Energy earns top prize for new technology

VIDEO: News update McDonald's UK methane study – IT leaders push for 1,000x efficiency increase – Quebec / Mitsubishi electric car pilot – Copenhagen Accord on the ropes?

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FEATURES:

A cost-per-meal energy standard for restaurants? The Harmony Group wants to make it happen
By Robert Colman
Whether a building is labeled ''green'' or not doesn't necessarily determine its efficiency level — some buildings are just better managed than others. The challenge in managing any property is to get individuals working within it to operate it properly. This is particularly difficult in restaurants where ''efficiency'' is all about getting people their food as quickly (and pleasantly) as possible. You can't turn off a deep fryer with customers at the front of the house just to save energy. Or can you? Leslie Burns, Energy Manager for the Harmony Group of companies is finding there is a lot she can do with the teams at Earls, Joey Restaurants and Cactus Club restaurants to shed energy use without affecting customers. more...

Carbon management: In the power and utilities sector, standing by the sidelines is no longer an option
By Jane Allen
The power and utilities sector is rarely considered ground zero for green business practices. However, as the political and social climate mandates a more rapid reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions, power and utilities organizations find themselves in the spotlight. more...

Hats off to The Gas City's solar project
By Ricki Normandin
Medicine Hat, Alberta, dubbed "The Gas City" because of its huge natural gas reserves, is looking to the sun for some of its own energy needs. more...

The Strategist: Consider the Tuna...
By Rob Abbott
The late American writer, David Foster Wallace, in his characteristically probing style, once asked, in an essay titled ''Consider the Lobster'', if it was ''all right to boil a sentient creature alive just for gustatory pleasure.'' His intent was to pose an admittedly unsettling challenge to the way many of us live. more...

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FEATURED RESOURCE:

The Green Workplace
Reviewed by Robert Colman
The Green Workplace is a surprisingly comprehensive guide to greening your office — covering everything from day-to-day business practices to recruitment methods. The book was written by Leigh Stringer, a vice president at global architectural firm HOK, a company that works to ''walk the talk'' on green business practices.
To read the full review, click here.

To go straight to an excerpt, click here.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

GEA and the Smart Grid Development in Ontario, January 26, St. Andrew's Club and Conference Centre, Toronto, ON

Enterprise Risk Management 2010: Retooling the Discipline, January 27-28, Sutton Place Hotel, Toronto, ON

Canadian Waste Management: Exploring best practices in sustainability, February 22-23, Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Richmond Hill, ON

Renewable Energy in Ontario, March 1-2, St. Andrew's Club and Conference Centre, Toronto, ON

Strategic Supply Chain Management Forum, March 2-3, Toronto Board of Trade, Toronto, ON

GLOBE 2010, March 24-26, Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC

Check out the Calendar of Events on the Green Business website for more upcoming industry seminars, conferences, shows and training sessions.

Got an event you want us to include on the website? Please send an e-mail to editor Rob Colman: rcolman@clbmedia.ca.