This summer FMJ sat down with John Mandyck in London. He serves as chief sustainability officer for United Technologies Corporation and also chairs the Corporate Advisory Board of the World Green Building Council as well as the Board of Directors for New York’s Urban Green Council. Oh and he’s a published author. Needless to say he has a lot of interesting things to say.
Throughout his career, Mandyck has worked with governments, universities and organisations around the globe to accelerate environmental sustainability in an increasingly urbanising world. He regularly blogs on sustainability issues for the Huffington Post, is the adjunct for the University of Connecticut School of Business and the book he co-wrote was Food Foolish, which explores the hidden connection between food waste, hunger and climate change.
United Technologies Corporation
United Technologies Corporation is a global leader in all sorts of areas. Aerospace, food refrigeration and commercial building industries. The company provides high-technology systems and services that seek to move the world forward with well-known global brands such as Carrier, Otis, Pratt & Whitney and UTC Aerospace Systems. United Technologies is a Fortune 45-ranked company with $61 billion in revenue.
The firm feels they are uniquely positioned to help the world urbanise in a sustainable way for numerous reasons.
Firstly they are the world’s largest provider of building technologies, which are becoming increasingly sustainable. For example, newly developed elevators can turn gravity into energy and return power to the grid.
Secondly the firm takes its food responsibilities seriously, aiming to keep as much food fresh as possible before it reaches the home or office. They do this whilst utilising technology which not only reduces the company’s carbon footprint by 28 per cent but also reduces waste and extends global food supplies.
Finally United Technologies is very proud of the way it is re-imagining jet aviation. Earlier this year saw the first commercial flight of the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan Engine, the world’s most fuel-efficient jet engine. Apparently it reduces fuel burn by 16 per cent, particulate emissions by 50 per cent and noise footprint by 75 per cent.
Mandyck’s role at the company sees him overseeing the company’s entire strategy for “sustainable urbanisation,” which encompasses green buildings, fighting and reducing food waste and green aviation. He oversees United Technologies’ relationships with partners and initiatives that help the company reach its sustainability goals. He also frequently lectures on the topics of sustainable urbanisation, food waste and climate change.
His passion for green development and technology was immediately clear when FMJ met Mandyck. “Green initiatives must start off at a green company,” he insists. “If we can get as many companies around the world thinking about and educating their staff around green buildings then we can make a difference.
“What we really need to do is link green buildings and sustainability to the health and productivity of staff. Employers and employees need to understand how various factors can impact their staff, sustainability most of all.
“There have been recent studies that seem to prove there doesn’t need to be any compromises around energy efficiency and environmental quality. Staff can be just as productive in a sustainable environment and that is something we are looking to take the lead in.”
World Green Building Council
In addition to his work with United Technologies Mandyck is also heavily involves with the World Green Building Council (WGBC), a network of national green building councils operating in more than 100 countries. The council aims to strengthen green building initiatives in its member countries by connecting them to a network of knowledge and support.
The global council also fosters and supports new and emerging Green Building Councils in individual nations by providing them with the tools necessary for them to establish strong organisations in their countries. Since buildings consume 40 per cent of the world’s energy, the future of sustainability and the future of building go hand-in-hand. Green buildings save energy, water, costs and boost occupant productivity.
Mandyck is the current chair of the WGBC Corporate Advisory Board, which relies on its diverse, global perspectives to help the WGBC advance the green building movement. He has been connected to the green building movement from the beginning when United Technologies was instrumental in launching the U.S. Green Building Council in 1993 and was the first company to join. Finally, United Technologies is the only company globally to be a founding member of Green Building Councils on five continents.
“Global green building activity doubles roughly every three years or so,” Mandyck explains. “This is partly down to the fantastic work done by the council. But more importantly it means that markets are now demanding green buildings rather than having them forced upon them.
“My company, United Technologies is one of the pioneers when it comes to understanding how greener buildings can actually lower costs and benefit staff.”
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