The Sustainable Sitemap Initiative (SSI) is a multi-faceted program targeting organizational sustainability through web and communication transparency.  Our initial research showed that less than 40% (<400) of the leading U.S. businesses have any indication, page or section regarding their environmental strategies and commitments.  This figure is troubling, particularly as a consumer, in light of the fact we get a majority of our corporate information from the web whether it be through searches, site visits or social media.

The Sustainable Sitemap Initiative is home to the "Sustainable Sitemap" which is a transparent, clear and accessible framework by which organizations of all sizes can deliver information regarding internal and external sustainable strategies, initiatives and commitments.  The Sustainable Sitemap also addresses the issue of an "apples to oranges" comparison of any two company environmental efforts.

Any two corporate websites may be aesthetically different however essentially deliver similar information to consumers, clients, employees and stakeholders thus creating a challenge in evaluation. Organizations rely on plain language "sitemaps" that deliver an index of all top level web pages within a given site therefore providing the clearest identity of the site.  These sitemaps may provide links to pages including; about, news, services, search, etc. and essentially can be used as a comparison between the structure of two websites.  The value of this is that users with different browsers, computing speeds, mobile devices and technical capabilities may use the sitemap as an overall roadmap.

The Green Challenges Sustainable Sitemap provides a similar communication strategy in that it provides top level sustainability strategies, partnerships and commitments in a simple, straight forward framework very similar to a basic web sitemap.  The Sustainable Sitemap consists of information across ten categories ranging from company profile to climate goals and carbon footprint.  All information is presented with accompanied links, report pages and/or direct communication from a company representative.  For example, if an organization has a multi-media video segment on their website regarding a C-Level commitment to the environment, that video may be embedded into the Sustainable Sitemap and/or the Sitemap would reference a specific link indicating that a video existed.  Where the value of the Sustainable Sitemap is amplified is in steps that do not command an entire web section or page, such as a commitment to recycled paper and double-sided printing -- this information is picked up in the Sustainable Sitemap.

SUSTAINABLE SITEMAP LINK | http://bit.ly/26CA4d
JOIN THE GREEN CHALLENGES | http://bit.ly/omgBB