For Business & At Work
Whether you are transforming how you and others travel to work, the products your organization buys, the products you sell, or the way in which you dispose of your waste, there are tremendous opportunities to go green in the workplace.
Check out the Resources section below for links to organizations that can help you reach your sustainability goals!
LiveSmartBC Small Business Program
The Capital Regional District is proud to partner with Greenstep, City Green Solutions and the WestShore Chamber of Commerce in executing the LiveSmart BC: Small Business Program.
With free advice and access to incentives, the LiveSmart BC: Small Business Program makes it easy for small businesses to save energy, and to be recognized for your actions.
If you are an owner or manager of a small or medium sized business in the capital region, you may be eligible for a free business energy assessment with a prioritized report on energy saving upgrade options for your business and how to access utility incentives to help pay for them. Your Advisor will also provide ideas about low-to-no-cost actions you can take to save energy.
If you do take action to save energy, your Advisor can nominate your business for recognition from LiveSmart BC. A recognition package includes a LiveSmart BC: Small Business Program certificate, window sticker, and use of the LiveSmart BC logo.
Contact Us Today
For more information, to determine eligibility or to arrange for a free business energy assessment please contact:
250.478.1130
email
or
Matt Greeno, City Green Business Energy Advisor
250.381.9995 x 115
email
What Happens During a Business Energy Assessment?
During a site visit of your business a City Green Business Energy Advisor will:
- Conduct a free on-site assessment
- Interview a business representative about general energy concerns or comfort complaints
- Collect detailed information about the building lighting systems, and
- Collect basic information about windows and doors, heating, hot water, and ventilation systems
How Do I Know if I am Eligible?
The eligibility criteria for this program include:
- Businesses that spend less than $50,000 per year on electricity
- The business has a location in B.C. at which the Project will be implemented
- The business is a registered business
- The business is privately owned and operated
- The business has a commercial electrical account
- At least 50 per cent of the building in which the business operates is used for business purposes
- The business has not participated in the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program for homes (i.e. in the case of a home based business)
- Non-profit organizations are not eligible
- Home-based businesses are not eligible for this program but may be eligible for incentives from the LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program. For details see:
- Efficiency Incentive Program
The LiveSmart BC: Small Business Program is available through the Capital Regional District including Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria and View Royal; and the Juan de Fuca, Southern Gulf Islands, and Salt Spring Island electoral areas.
)For delivery in other regions see:
ClimateSmart Training
The CRD, District of Saanich and City of Victoria are offering ClimateSmart training to 50 businesses and organizations throughout 2012. The ClimateSmart program teaches participants how to measure their carbon footprint and identify ways to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, while cutting costs. Businesses based in the City of Victoria or the District of Saanich, or are a supplier to the CRD or the City of Victoria or the District of Saanich are eligible to apply.
The comprehensive professional development and training program includes the following:
- A series of three interactive half-day training sessions
- Access to a top-rated, web-based GHG management application
- One-on-one advising
Participants can start the program between January 2012 and November 2012.
To sign up contact ClimateSmart via phone at 604.254.6283 or 1.888.688.6283.
GreenStart Small Business Pilot Program
Twenty small businesses and organizations from across the region participated in an innovative program to help reduce emissions! The diverse group of pilot participants were engaged in an approach to learn about those actions they can do to reduce their environmental impact in 6 key areas: energy efficiency, water conservation, transportation, waste reduction and pollution prevention, transportation and staff and community engagement.
The first cohort of the program was accepted in early November and the second round of the pilot began in February 2011. The pilot ran through June 30, 2011.
Final Report and Video
The following report describes the details of the program and the process which was undertaken to complete it. It also includes a short description of the participants and the actions they completed as a result of GreenStart.
Learn more about the program partners, process and participants:
This phase of GreenStart is complete; if you require further information or resources, or would be interested in participating in a program such as this in the future, let us know email.
Resources
There are many local organizations and businesses in the region that offer free information to help you achieve your sustainability goals. Links to some of these organizations and businesses are provided below:
Area |
Resource Link |
|---|---|
Energy Efficiency & Conservation |
FortisBC Commercial Energy Assessment Program |
| BC Hydro’s Product Incentive Program | |
| BC Hydro - Powersmart for Businesses | |
| BC Hydro - Computers and Equipment | |
| ENERGY Star in Canada | |
| Bullfrog Power - 100% renewable electricity | |
Water Conservation |
CRD Water Conservation for Business |
| Inside the Bottle | |
Transportation / Fleets |
Energy, Environment, Excellence or E3 flee |
| LiveSmartBC | |
| Victoria Car Share Co-op | |
| Commuter Challenge | |
| Bike to Work BC | |
| Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition | |
Waste Reduction & Pollution Prevention |
myrecylopedia - CRD Recycling Product Directory |
| CRD Recycling | |
| Pedal to Petal Bicycle Compost Pick-up | |
| reFUSE Resource Recovery | |
Sustainable Purchasing |
Buy Smart Network |
| BC Hydro - Creating a Sustainable Purchasing Policy | |
| Metro Vancouver - Sustainable Purchasing Guide | |
| The Story of Stuff - Online Video | |
Staff Engagement |
BC Hydro Green Team Activation Workshop |
| David Suzuki Foundation - David Suzuki at Work |
