PHOENIX, AZ  – The Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce (PGCC) announces today that Arizona State University's prestigious Global Institute of Sustainability (GIOS) has joined the Chamber. The School of Sustainability is part of GIOS and also will be a participant in the Chamber.

The Green Chamber promotes sustainable business practices, including recycling, energy and water conservation, pollution prevention, and the use of energy-efficient facilities and equipment. It provides education forums on topical issues in sustainability, and business opportunities among members.

PGCC's membership roster now numbers 130, and continues to grow. Members are comprised of businesses committed to environmental stewardship through their business practices across various industries. Those represented include architectural firms, traditional and emerging energy source providers, recycling and waste management specialists, LEED Certification specialists, academic institutions, and professional service providers in accounting, marketing, law and many more.

"We are pleased that the Global Institute and its School of Sustainability have joined the Chamber," comments PGCC founder and CEO Mara DeFilippis. "We have been acquainted since before the Chamber was founded in 2008, and we're delighted to have an organization of this acclaim on board. Its reputation for leadership in sustainability is renown not only throughout the Valley, but across the country."

"Organizations like the Green Chamber of Commerce are especially important in today’s sustainability-conscious landscape;" says Rob Melnick, executive dean and director of the Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University. "We are pleased to join this chapter and its efforts."

About ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability

The Global Institute of Sustainability is the hub of ASU's sustainability initiatives. The Institute advances research, education, and business practices for an urbanizing world. Its School of Sustainability, the first of its kind in the U.S., offers transdisciplinary degree programs that advance practical solutions to environmental, economic, and social challenges. For more information visit the Global Institute of Sustainability at http://sustainability.asu.edu.

About ASU’s School of Sustainability

Established in 2007, the School of Sustainability brings together multiple disciplines and leaders to create and share knowledge, train a new generation of scholars and practitioners, and develop practical solutions to the most pressing environmental, economic, and social challenges of sustainability – especially as they relate to urban areas. For more information visit the School of Sustainability at http://schoolofsustainability.asu.edu.

About the Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce

The Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the voice and influence of businesses united to promote an environmentally responsible economy. Its mission is to link individuals and businesses dedicated to advancing sustainability and serve as a central portal of information, resources and connectivity. For more information, please visit http://www.thegreenchamber.org/.

Contact:

Mara DeFilippis

CEO, Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce

(602) 682-5566

Karen Leland

Director, Communications/Marketing/Media Relations

Global Institute of Sustainability/School of Sustainability

Arizona State University

(480) 965-0013