From Germany to Waterloo: Missions to Become More Sustainable

by Mike Morrice, Executive Director, Sustainable Waterloo

CTT Inc and its partners across Waterloo Region are on the verge of an exciting business mission to Germany on the theme of Green Energy and “Cleantech”, with a focus on wind energy. And they should be applauded for doing so: The International Energy Agency estimates that nearly 50% of global electricity supplies will have to come from renewable energy sources if we want to halve carbon emissions by 2050, in order to minimize significant and irreversible climate change impacts.

As such, I was asked to provide some information about Sustainable Waterloo and what we’re doing locally to work towards our mission of engaging the business community, local government, academia and NGOs to unite organizations operating across Waterloo Region under the common goal of achieving more environmentally sustainable business operations. Although there is certainly much to learn about renewable energy from our German counterparts, I can shed some light on what we’re doing locally to work towards both a healthy environment and a vibrant economy.

Currently, our team at Sustainable Waterloo is focused on the Regional Carbon Initiative: facilitating voluntary target-setting and reductions of carbon emissions in organizations across Waterloo Region. Since launching the Regional Carbon Initiative in June of this year, we are now working with seven member organizations (the complete list can be reviewed here: www.sustainablewaterloo.org/members).

Many of these companies are not just claiming to have "gone green", but they have made public reduction commitments in their GHG emissions over the next ten years. Three of these organizations - Enermodal Engineering, VeriForm Inc, and XCG Consultants - have each committed to 100% reductions in their emissions in 10 years. We also have three “Observing Organizations” of the Regional Carbon Initiative, including the City of Waterloo, all of whom are working towards future possible commitments as Pledging Partners. And these companies are reducing emissions because it makes business sense. Take VeriForm, for example. Between 2006 – 2008, they invested $46,186 in 42 energy saving projects, and have reduced operating costs by $89,152 as a result, with an average payback period of just 6.3 months. As such, these projects were fairly simple in nature – focused on energy conservation and efficiency – and any renewable energy solutions are still yet to be explored.

As part of launching the Regional Carbon Initiative, we released a voluntary carbon reduction framework that explains elements of the Bronze, Silver and Gold reduction targets to which member organizations are committing, such as which carbon emissions to report. The complete framework is available as part of our “Guide to the Regional Carbon Initiative”, available here: www.sustainablewaterloo.org/guide. It was put together in collaboration with representatives from organizations across all sectors of our community including Google, Christie Digital, Open Text, the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP), the University of Waterloo, and the Region of Waterloo. The final product is an innovative framework, and no other municipality we're aware of has organized a similarly community-led approach to GHG reductions.

By embracing this spirit of collaboration, our community is starting the journey towards building a culture of environmental sustainability, and we’re hoping to build on this as we seek more organizations to make voluntary carbon emission reduction commitments. In future, we hope to showcase Waterloo Region as a hub for the successful integration of business performance and environmental sustainability. And in doing so, we’re happy to be contributing to elements of CTT Inc’s mission, particularly as it relates to promoting Waterloo Region to attract top talent to our community – in fact, recent studies have shown that 92% of Gen Y workers are more inclined to work for a company with an environmental strategy. The member organizations mentioned above are looking to tap into this talented crop of young employees.

In closing, I’m confident this business mission being organized by CTT Inc will be sure to bring with it many new ideas for any local organization considering renewable energy projects and ways to reduce carbon emissions.

For more information about Sustainable Waterloo, please see our website (www.sustainablewaterloo.org), or the current issue of Exchange Magazine, which has the theme of “Sustainable Business”, featuring interviews with two of our Pledging Partners, VeriForm Inc and Athena Software: www.exchangemagazine.com/currentissue/ExchangeVol27No2.

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