The Meaning Of “Green”

Green Enterprise Toronto

• Membership-based, not-for-profit business alliance – 330 local, green businesses

• One of over 60 networks of BALLE

• Work to strengthen resilience of economies, environments and communities

Help independent businesses and customers to Think Local First and become Greener

Green Enterprise Toronto (con’t)

Business Member Benefits• Marketing• Professional development• Networking• Strategic support• Research and advocacy work

Consumers• Resource for local, green businesses• Consumer education programs • Community outreach

Core Business Values

1. Local ownership / Buying local first

2. Helping to build a strong community

3. Providing meaningful employment

4. Prioritizing fair trade sources

5. Contributing to a healthy environment

Local Living Economy Values

What We Mean By “Green”

A “Green” business demonstrates a commitment to work, to produce, and to

buy based on “local living economy” values of a healthy environment, strong communities, meaningful employment,

buying local first, and prioritizing fair trade.

Local Ownership / Buying Locally & “Green”

• Lower Environmental Impact• Money Spent Local, Stays Local• Local Owners are Local Contributors• Local Businesses Offer Stable Employment• Tax Revenue Goes Further• Maintain Uniqueness of Neighbourhood

Strong Community / Meaningful Employment & “Green”

Strong Community• Cares about its environment, people and economy• Committed to taking care of own “back yard”• More resources to keep it vibrant and green

Meaningful Employment• A healthier workplace• Living wages• Meaningful work

Fair Trade & “Green”

Questions to consider

• How are goods and services produced offshore?

• How are workers treated?

• How does the manufacturing process impact nature?

• Lower price… but at what cost?

Healthy Environment & “Green”

• Local, Green & Fair Consulting Services• Green Advertising / Marketing Services• Green Manufacturing Consultants• Energy Reduction• Incentives and Tax Credits for Greening Initiatives• GHG emissions audits, remediation & carbon

offsets• Building & property assessment for retrofit / new

green building• Training for you and your staff

What do we mean by “Green”?

It’s all about evaluating our economic activities from an integrated perspective –

not just an environmental one.

And it’s about transparency, which just may be the key to integrity in business in the

21st century.

Healthy Environment & “Green”

BIA Members• GreenTbiz - Green Assist www.toronto-bia.com

Local, Green & Fair Consulting Services• GET Directory www.greenenterprise.net• GreenShift www.greenshift.ca• Shirley Segev www.greenmark.ca• Adapt Environmental www.adaptenviro.com • Tamara Eberle, Envirotrack

www.rightontrack.ca/envirotrack

Healthy Environment & “Green”

Green Advertising / Marketing Services• GET Directory: www.greenenterprise.net

Green Manufacturing Consultants:• Andrea Dwight www.adwight.com• Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology

Advancement www.oceta.on.ca• Lynn Johannson www.e2management.com

Strategic Advice on Incentives and Tax Credits to Support your Greening Initiatives

• Jordan Gould, CA & Partner, SBLR jgould@sblr.ca

Green house gas (GHG) emissions audits, remediation and to purchase carbon offsets:

•Carbonzero www.carbonzero.ca •ZeroFootprint www.zerofootprint.net

Building and property assessment for retrofit or new green building:

•Fourth Pig Cooperative www.fourthpig.org •Village Technologies

www.villagetechnologies.ca•Green Roofs, Roof

Gardenswww.gardensinthesky.ca

Healthy Environment & “Green”

Healthy Environment & “Green”

Nine Steps for Greening Your Business

www.startupnation.com/steps/93/9041/9/1/green- education-networking.htm

Training for you and your staff• Sustainability 101™ • Sustainability: Step by Natural Step™

– Excellent 1 and 3 hour on-line self-paced courses available from Natural Step Canada www.naturalstep.ca