Why is now the time to act?
Sustainability is becoming a winning strategy for businesses across Canada and Green Economy Hubs are playing a vital role. These Hubs help businesses reach their sustainability goals, by providing services and other supports to bridge the knowledge and capacity gaps that businesses often face when considering sustainability initiatives. Together, with business and institutional members, their employees, and supporting partners, Green Economy Hubs prove the business-case for sustainability by demonstrating how reducing emissions, water, and waste can improve the bottom line, mitigate business risks, help develop a credible brand, and improve the ability to attract and retain consumers, shareholders, and top tier employees.
Through coaching, educational opportunities, peer networking, and celebration events, Green Economy Hubs help companies and other organizations to make these reductions that align with emerging sustainability and low-carbon business trends and opportunities.
With growing concern about climate change, recognition of the responsibilities that municipal governments, businesses, and nonprofits have towards our social and environmental sustainability, as well as the keen interest identified in the Southern Georgian Bay and Grey County areas, now is the perfect time to work with Green Economy Canada and imagine how we could create a Green Economy Hub here.
Bruce-Grey-Simcoe is the only area in Ontario not yet served by a Green Economy Hub – we need to fill this significant gap!
What is a Green Economy Hub?
Green Economy Hubs are an innovative, community-based model of engaging businesses in climate action. Hubs bring together, support and celebrate businesses in setting and achieving sustainability targets – providing tools and resources, 1:1 guidance, credible standards, and a regional network of other businesses to learn from.
Hubs create lasting change in communities by fostering a thriving local network of businesses of all sectors and sizes that are leading the way towards a net zero emissions future. Through their actions, these Green Economy Leaders (https://greeneconomy.ca/businesses/green-economy-leaders/) demonstrate that sustainability and profitability go hand-in-hand. Other businesses become inspired to follow suit and the local green economy grows with increased demand for green products and services. Community by community, Hubs are changing business-as-usual to make sustainability the norm.
What is meant by Green Economy?
In a green economy, growth in employment and income are driven by public and private investment into such economic activities, infrastructure and assets that allow reduced carbon emissions and pollution, enhanced energy and resource efficiency, and prevention of the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Green economies empower businesses with cost-effective, practical, collaborative and community-based approaches. They can also inspire a shift in economic development to align with municipalities’ climate action plans and carbon emission reduction.
Why should businesses be involved – multiple benefits
Together, with business and institutional members, their employees, and supporting partners, Green Economy Hubs prove the business-case for sustainability by demonstrating how reducing emissions can improve the bottom line, mitigate business risks, help develop a credible brand, and improve the ability to attract and retain consumers, shareholders, and top tier employees. Through coaching, educational opportunities, peer networking, and celebration events, Green Economy Hubs help organizations to make reductions in emissions, water, and waste that align with emerging low-carbon business trends and opportunities.
How are Green Economy Hub services financed?
Green Economy Hubs are social enterprises, raising funds and charging business members an annual fee enabling experienced staff to be hired. The Hub coordinates and services local businesses utilizing the national Green Economy Hub services and expertise. Rates are established by local/regional hub organizations; businesses where there is no hub organization can participate in the National Hub, which includes pricing based on membership level and size of business.
What are the benefits for the local business?
Business leaders: reduce operational costs, increase brand profile, expand customer base, and activate employee pride.
Through Green Economy Hub membership, local businesses/organizations will be guided through a process to become more resilient, competitive, and climate-friendly. Businesses will:
- Lower operational costs through energy, water, and waste reduction
- Strengthen brand identity and customer loyalty
- Attract more customers and clients
- Mitigate business risks and costs related to climate change
- Attract and retain employees.
Measure your impact, set a target and make a plan, take action and celebrate results!
Will you be part of this exciting initiative?