Small business contest winners get climate smart
VANCOUVER - Scholarships from the provincial government will help train
business leaders from Vancouver and Whistler to reduce their firms'
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,increase efficiency and save money, Minister
of State for Climate Action John Yap announced today in a BC Government news release.
The Government of British Columbia, through LiveSmart BC, will support a
total of 20 $1,500 scholarships to Climate Smart workshops across the
province. The three, half-day workshops are geared to help small- and medium-
sized businesses create their own emissions inventory and find ways to reduce
emissions with a focus on cost savings and building brand awareness.
"We believe B.C. businesses want to reduce their carbon footprint and prepare
for the opportunities of the emerging green economy," said Yap. "These
workshops are a good starting point for businesses to be leaders in that
economy and save themselves money at the same time."
More than 100 enterprises have taken advantage of the hands-on Climate Smart
training, online tool and technical support made possible through Ecotrust
Canada and its partners. Partners for this contest and the current series of
workshops include Timberline, Vancity, Whistler Sustainability Centre and the
B.C. Partnership for Sustainable Tourism.
"Small business is a key economic driver in our province and has a major role
to play in advancing the green economy," said Iain Black, Minister of Small
Business, Technology and Economic Development. "These sessions will help
businesses reduce their greenhouse gas emissions profitably, while increasing
their standing as environmental stewards."
Climate Smart is a for-profit subsidiary of Ecotrust Canada. Ecotrust Canada
is a non-profit with a focus on building a conservation economy. Timberline
Natural Resource Group, The BC Partnership for Sustainable Tourism, Vancity
and the Whistler Centre for Sustainability, are Climate Smart hosts working
to help market, recruit and deliver the training.
"I'm very pleased to see businesses from Whistler, which has a strong
environmental reputation, being given the opportunity to benefit from these
Climate Smart workshops," said West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre.
"Our business community is eager to support environmental initiatives and the
fact that they can increase efficiency and save money is a tremendous bonus."
The $62-million LiveSmart BC program is a key element of B.C.'s Climate
Action Plan. It provides incentives to help British Columbians fight climate
change, including a wide range of rebates, tax exemptions and actions to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money.
Interested firms may submit contest entries online at www.livesmartbc.ca. The
closing date for entry in the Whistler workshops is August 12, 2009 and for
the Vancouver workshop is September 8, 2009.
-30-
Contact:
Matt Gordon
Communications Director
250 387-9973
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province's
news feeds using RSS, visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca.
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