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."