An innovative new program to help small-and
medium-sized businesses shrink their carbon footprint kicks off in
Vancouver today. Ecotrust Canada, in partnership with The Pembina
Institute, the David Suzuki Foundation and corporate sponsors, is
launching a pilot program to help meet consumer demand for
climate-friendly products and services. The Carbon Neutral Workgroup
for Small Business will help companies calculate and reduce their
greenhouse gas emissions.
“Companies participating
in the Carbon Neutral Workgroup will identify cost-effective ways to
reduce their carbon emissions. By helping to save the planet, they will
be saving themselves money too,” says Ian Gill, President of Ecotrust
Canada. “It’s part of a growing ‘conservation economy’ driven by the
dramatic change in consumer and corporate attitudes toward the
environment as a result of global warming.”
The
Carbon Neutral Workgroup brings together 13 companies and nonprofits
from the North Coast, Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland. They
represent some of B.C.’s most progressive and innovative small
businesses in the fields of tourism, eco-forestry, fisheries,
manufacturing, transportation and green building.
“At
King Pacific Lodge we have made a commitment to reduce our
carbon footprint by 50 percent over the next five years and to invest
in a project that helps other small businesses do the same,” says
Michael Uehara, President of King Pacific Lodge. “By sponsoring the
Carbon Neutral Workgroup, we are raising the bar on ecological
responsibility in the hospitality industry and demonstrating how
business and the environment can form a profitable relationship.”
The
David Suzuki Foundation, Vancity, Mountain Equipment Co-op and King
Pacific Lodge, which offers carbon-neutral vacations, are funding the
pilot program.
Three workshops will show companies
how to calculate and reduce their carbon footprint, and learn about
strategies to market their climate-friendly products and services. The
Pembina Institute and David Suzuki Foundation have developed innovative
software to help these businesses calculate their carbon footprint. The
Pembina Institute will also provide one-on-one technical assistance.
“Small-and
medium-sized businesses play a huge role in the economy and are
essential in fighting global warming,” says Matt McCulloch, Co-Director
of Corporate Consulting Services for The Pembina Institute. “The Carbon
Neutral Workgroup will provide small businesses with the knowledge and
tools to take action against climate change.”
While
there is no data on the carbon emissions of small businesses, they are
responsible for about 30 percent of B.C.’s GDP and 58 percent of all
private sector jobs in the province.
“More and
more businesses are seeing the benefits of reducing their greenhouse
gas emissions,” says Deborah Carlson, Climate Change Campaigner for the
David Suzuki Foundation. “But there is clearly a need for resources to
help them figure out how to do that.”
The Carbon
Neutral Workgroup will also help entrepreneurs to understand the
complex and emerging market to purchase carbon offsets. “We need to
create a local carbon market whereby companies and consumers can
purchase offsets that reinvest money into climate change projects in
their local communities,” says Gill with Ecotrust Canada.
“We
are excited to participate in the Carbon Neutral Workgroup to develop
more climate change friendly services for our customers,” says Dylan
Green, President of Tofino Bus. “Our bus service allows many people to
leave their cars at home and reduce their personal carbon footprint. We
were also the first bus line in Western Canada to use biodiesel to
reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions.”
“Upholstery
Arts has already reduced its greenhouse gas footprint by replacing
harmful petrochemicals with truly sustainable, non-toxic, renewable
materials,” says Len Laycock, President of Upholstery Arts, which is
participating in the Carbon Neutral Workgroup. “Our customers welcome
the changes we’ve made and inspire us to go further.”
Media Contact: Matthew McCulloch
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